Remove and thin with up to 25% of mineral spirits or turpentine. Do not use Odourless Mineral Spirits.

Solvent-based varnish needs to be thinned before using with full-strength spirits. It smells pretty strong and is not easy to clean after.When varnishing acrylic paintings on watercolor paper or ordinary paper, it is important to keep in mind that paper is a delicate and absorbent surface that can be easily damaged by moisture. When you're ready to varnish, make sure that the painting is completely dry first. If it's the slightest bit wet, the varnish will mix with the wet paint and streak across the canvas. Unless that is your desired effect (hey, why not?), you will want to avoid this. Also make sure that the surface is free from dust, dirt, and any other undesirable things like lint. A Matte finish is non reflective as it suggests, gloss can be very reflective under interior or natural light and satin provides a soft sheen; also consider that colours can change dramatically after the varnish has been applied, some will darken whilst others will become more vibrant. What is an Isolation/Barrier Coat? Do not shake or vigorously over-brush as this can result in surface bubbles and a foggy, hazy look when dry

If you’ve worked in an impasto style, or with paint that has a rough texture, a spray will help you get an even coating of varnish and avoid the risk of creating bubbles or pools of varnish by applying it with a brush. The Liquitex High Gloss Varnish is used to protect the surface of a painting from environmental factors and to protect the color pigments from ultraviolet light. The varnish is also great for adding a high-gloss finish to a canvas. A gloss varnish gives a shiny, glossy finish to your painting, just as you would guess. It will bring out all the different colors in a painting, helping them to pop. There will be some shiny reflections when light hits the painting, which is not always desirable.You should wait 24 hours for your acrylic painting to fully dry before varnishing acrylic paintings. How do you varnish acrylic paint at home? This type of varnish provides a shiny and reflective finish, making the colors in your painting appear more energetic and saturated.

Use a soft, lint-free cloth or a clean, soft brush to remove any dust or debris from the surface of the painting. Make sure to clean the corners and edges of the painting as well. After spending hours painting your piece, it can be quite daunting painting a varnish onto the canvas, and there is always a chance the varnish might ruin the look of your painting. It is always recommended to do a test application.It’s important to shake the can thoroughly before use and to hold it at a proper distance from the painted surface to avoid drips or pooling.

Your painting must be completely dry before application of an isolation coat. (no less than 72 hours and leave up to several months if you can) Use the varnish over finished work to enhance and increase color depth, which brings new dimensions to your art. Lay down a drop cloth or some newspapers to protect your workspace. Step 4: Apply The Varnish Accurately Do a test application on a small piece of canvas to make sure that you are happy with the final result. This is even more important if you are adding an isolation coat to the painting.

Diaries & Calendars

First and foremost, it’s important to note that varnishing acrylic paintings on glass is not a typical practice, as acrylic paint tends to adhere well to glass without the need for a varnish. Acrylic resin varnishes are known to be glossier, stronger, and come out clearer than acrylic polymer varnish. So if you are looking for a high-gloss finish, then an acrylic resin varnish would be best for you. Even if you feel the paint and it is dry to the touch by this point, it will still be wet underneath and need some more time to dry out before it is varnished. What Can I Spray on Acrylic to Make it Waterproof? Once dry, the painting will appear waterproof and impenetrable. However, it is actually only water-resistant, not fully waterproof and will remain slightly porous without a varnish layer being applied. If you had a microscope, you would see that the surface of the painting has tiny pin holes and crevices, where, in some cases the bond between the pigment and acrylic polymer emulsion has not created a solid bond or a solid film. This actually means the surface of the painting could be potentially receptive and hold onto dust, dirt, airborne chemicals, and moisture which are harmful. Why do we need to varnish acrylic paintings and what are the advantages of varnishing?