To Varnish or Not to Varnish An Acrylic Painting?

To Varnish or Not to Varnish an Acrylic Painting, That is the Question - Jill Saur

I've spent quite a bit of time on the phone this week with technical experts from the two manufacturers of acrylic polymer varnish that I believe are the best on the market.  After speaking with them, I've come to a new conclusion regarding varnishing acrylic painting.  If you've used high quality acrylic paints in your artwork,  It's perfectly fine to NOT varnish your painting.  If you do decide to varnish, proceed with caution and read the manufacturer's website for explicit and thorough instructions. 

You might wonder why I'm writing this article.  Last year, I finished a 36"x48" acrylic painting for a client.  I had spent a copious amount of time painting and in one fell swoop, the acrylic varnish clouded up in one area of the painting.  I was devastated.  My client tells me that they can barely see it, but it was all I could see after it happened.  Just know this can occur on a large painting because the varnish dries quickly.  By the time you brush across the top of the painting and bring your brush down for the next area, the first area is drying.  A large surface is difficult to cover quickly and you can get streaks from the brush marks and you can get clouded areas from inconsistency in the thickness of the varnish. It's much easier to varnish a large painting if it has a lot of texture, like my aspen tree paintings.  And, it's fairly simple to varnish a smaller painting. 

A painting with little or no texture is especially vulnerable to imperfections in the varnish.  I love the look of a gloss or satin varnish on certain paintings.  However, there are other paintings that I've learned look best just the way they are, without varnish.  I recently finished my 30"x40" bear painting and I will not varnish it.  I used the best lightfast paint.  The painting is protected by the quality of the paint alone.

Liquitex varnishes are permanent.  Be careful that you apply them correctly.  If you get any clouding or streaks, you will not be able to correct that.

Please note, varnishing will alter the appearance of your artwork.  Gloss varnish can pop the colors and intensify the hues (which can be desirable if you want that look), satin and matt varnishes can decrease the intensity of the hues. I've spoken with the manufacturers of the highest quality varnishes and it's perfectly fine not to varnish (when you've used the highest quality paints). When you've finished a painting, you may notice that some paint colors have left a sheen and others appear to have a mat finish. Varnishing a painting ensures a unifying finish over the entire painting.  

 Liquitex Acrylic Varnishes

Liquitex Acrylic Varnishes are made from 100% acrylic polymer emulsions and form durable films when dry. They have excellent flexibility and resistance to chemicals, water, and ultraviolet rays. Acrylic polymer varnishes permanently adhere to the surface, and are not removable.  They must be applied meticulously because they are permanent.  If you need to be able to remove the varnish at a later date, use a non-polymer varnish such as Liquitex Soluvar Varnish. Polymer varnishes are not for use with oil paintings.  

Liquitex Acrylic Varnish comes in four finishes.  Personal preference should guide your choice.  NEVER SHAKE YOUR VARNISH, it's a great way to ruin your painting.

Gloss Varnish — This water-resistant varnish delivers permanent, highly-durable protection that is flexible and non-yellowing when dry. A 100% acrylic polymer varnish, Liquitex Gloss Varnish is water-soluble when wet and can be thinned. Non-removable.

Matte Varnish — This medium viscosity varnish provides a satiny, non-glare, low-sheen final coat that intensifies dull colors without drastically reducing color depth. A 100% acrylic polymer varnish, Liquitex Matte Varnish is water-soluble when wet and can be thinned. Non-removable.

High Gloss Varnish — This low viscosity, permanent water-based varnish produces a high-gloss, clear finish. Translucent when wet, and clear when dry, it increases the gloss, depth, and intensity of colors. 

Satin Varnish — Final, clear, non-yellowing varnish has a satin finish. 

 

Golden Acrylic Polymer Varnishes

I've been experimenting with Golden Satin Acrylic Polymer Varnish this week.  It's not permanent and is intended to go over a permanent isolation layer.  I'll write more about it soon.  In the meantime, all of the information about Golden varnishes can be found on their website.