It’s one of my least favorite tasks in any DIY project. I know, I know, no one likes to sand! Not to mention your brush strokes do like to leave tiny indents here and there. If you want to know which type of finish is on your piece, apply a bit of acetone. You can choose from matte, satin and gloss variations of varnish for this task. I used to find varnishing stressful as it is possible to muck it up. eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'thebuzzedartist_com-leader-2','ezslot_9',125,'0','0']));This is where using a varnish can actually come to the rescue. If you’re using an oil-based paint only use an oil-based primer, not an acrylic one. The good news is that you can apply several different types of finishes over top of the acrylic paint to make it more durable and add a sheen. Do some test pieces and find one you really like. It's okay to paint acrylic over a varnished acrylic painting in small moderation - for instance, if you need to do minor touch-ups here and there. With all the modern advances in coatings -- polyurethane, shellac, urethane, or varnish -- some confusion about formula is to be expected. By hitting "START PAINTING NOW" you are also subscribing to my weekly newsletter. Gessoing takes quite a bit of time and is a bit cumbersome. You set your brush down and happily gaze upon your work; but just as you’re about to pop open that bottle of merlot in celebration (it’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right? This coating will keep it safe from UV rays, discoloration and dust. Make pop art acrylic paintings you’ll actually love, even if you have ZERO drawing skills. ).But I kept reminding myself that I was using removable varnish so a painting wouldn't be permanently 'ruined' even if I did. Using acrylic sealers can help to fill in the tiny holes and crevices in your acrylic painting and prevent dirt buildup. NOAA Hurricane Forecast Maps Are Often Misinterpreted — Here's How to Read Them. If you try to varnish the painting while it's hanging on a wall, for example, the varnish will just run down the canvas and drip all over the floor. As long as the acrylic varnish is permanent, not removable. Varnish also unifies uneven tones caused by using various mediums and water on different areas throughout your painting. The polyurethane type of varnish is usually the best choice for this. My question is, can I paint acrylic over a light oil wash. Wash the surface. Comment and share below! It may gather up some dirt along the way, which can be a challenger to clean, but if you like that kind of look, then skip the varnish. CEO Compensation and America's Growing Economic Divide. If you are debating between the three types of sheens or aren’t sure how a particular varnish will look like on your painting, I would suggest doing a sample test on either a small corner of your painting, on a test painting, or on paint samples. eval(ez_write_tag([[970,90],'thebuzzedartist_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',144,'0','0'])); That’s ok too. Make acrylic paintings you’ll actually love, even if you’ve never touched a brush before. Plus, when left unprotected, attempting to wash or touch your acrylic painting may chip it or even come completely off! An oil-based varnish can be applied over completely dry acrylic paint with little difficulty. Use a paint brush to add one thin layer of varnish and let it dry. Amanda is a self-taught artist and founder of The Buzzed Artist, dedicated to teaching adult beginners how to art with confidence using acrylic paint and love themselves in the creation process. Don’t forget to add a layer of coating, varnish or sealer over your acrylic paint to protect the paint … Personally, if I am giving a client or customer a painting, I assume they want that painting to last them for many generations. The next step in how to varnish an acrylic painting: Lay the painting flat while varnishing, and make sure it's in a place where it can lie flat and undisturbed for a few hours while the varnish dries. If you absolutely hate the effect or prefer one sheen over another, then you are much better equipped to make that decision for yourself. However, that cannot be further from the truth. 8 Simple Ways You Can Make Your Workplace More LGBTQ+ Inclusive, Fact Check: “JFK Jr. Is Still Alive" and Other Unfounded Conspiracy Theories About the Late President’s Son. Intense water pressure may strip the paint. Dried acrylic paint, topologically speaking, is actually very bumpy, with lots of hills and valleys due to the paint seeping into the canvas crevices or whatever uneven surface it lies upon. I have practised oil painting as well as acrylic painting. It can be tricky when working with both mediums as the solvents used to remove an oil varnish can remove the acrylic paint if you’re not too careful. Do you notice the differences between the three? Adding a layer of varnish can even out the surface reflection, giving your eye a more unified viewing experience. Once again, if that is your overall intent or you don’t really mind, then yes, lean into that matte varnish. To add varnish to a painting, use a brush to apply a very thin, even coat on top of the dry paint. (I've also done a lot of both oil and acrylic paintings on wood and canvas and always finish with a varnish of some kind because they will have matte spots on them). After the new layer of acrylic dries, carefully varnish over the painting again. Do I need to varnish this painting? How To Finish an Acrylic Pour Painting with Resin (Beginner’s Guide) Finishing Paintings / resin. Most unpainted pieces will have one of these sealers applied. Glossy varnish, as the name suggest, gives your paintings a glossier, shinier finish – similar to what you would typically see in magazines. Once again, the answer here is a bit ambiguous, so let’s dive into this a bit more. And that is how I stain wood with acrylic paint. Polyurethane can be oil- or water-based, and you can use either kind over latex paint; however, oil-based polyurethane tends to yellow as it ages, whereas water-based varieties stay transparent. Sometimes I’ll skip the gesso process and just paint over the previous mess up painting with my first layer of paint. But, like most of us, we like to see or sell our paintings for the world to admire, so ensuring they can last for decades without losing their color vibrance is a good thing. Your colors won’t appear as high in contrast, however, they won’t feel dulled down either. If you’re still not quite convinced that varnishes are the right call for you, or you just want to let your paintings sit for a while so you can do rework or touch-ups, you may want to consider using an acrylic sealer. By hitting "I'M SO READY TO MAKE POP ART" you are also subscribing to my weekly newsletter. Of course, if you’re painting lives inside a book or barely ever sees the light of day, then you won’t need to really worry about this so much. Varnish, polyurethane, shellac, and lacquer, and shellac all have the same basic function, and most of the process remains the same for painting over them. It really is a means to protect your painting so it can last for many lifetimes. Once the varnish dries (which usually takes 1-2 days), take a look at how the painting looks to you. … and like many things in art….the answer to that question depends on your intentions.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'thebuzzedartist_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',133,'0','0'])); Is varnishing really necessary? Tips on Varnishing a Painting . Ensure further protection of your acrylic painting and extend its lifespan by using varnish over it. If that is what you’re looking to achieve, you’ll probably want to varnish. If you want the colors of your painting to pop even more than they already do, this is a great choice. To apply varnish on top of paint, make sure the paint is dry. The U.S. Supreme Court: Who Are the Nine Justices on the Bench Today? If you want that restoration option at any point, then you’ll want to consider using varnish. The acrylics won’t be affected by it at all, but what will happen (depending on how thick the paint was on the previous painting) is a change in handling properties of the fresh paint, because you create a more waxy less absorbant surface, the more acrylic layers you have on the canvas. Just make sure that you get a good quality paint and the right of set tools for your redecorating job. Perhaps it’s the people-pleaser in me, but that is how I typically like to roll. Each of these have their ups and downs in terms of overall painting aesthetic.eval(ez_write_tag([[970,250],'thebuzzedartist_com-leader-3','ezslot_11',142,'0','0'])); As further demonstration, here are the different sheen effects of matte, satin and gloss over the color black. When it comes to choosing various varnish sheens, there are 3 big contenders: glossy, matte, and satin finish. Most professionals agree that water-based varnish is the best product to use over paint. You can never put an oil base over top of a water soluble paint. Adding that protective seal gives it that finished look. You can also stain in colors if you wish. Well, no, not really. Unsubscribe at any time. Yes you can. Whenever you paint over something that has a clear oil based finish on it, you have to rough it up so the paint will stick. In fact, some artists report adding satin varnish adds that little extra “zing” to their paintings. To apply varnish on top of paint, make sure the paint is dry. There are many reasons you would want to do this! However, there are some added benefits for varnishing that you may want to consider before gulping that entire wine bottle and declaring victory. Fat Overlene never lean over fat. It sits nicely in between the two sheens. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. You can try to just varnish those small spots that you just painted, rather than varnishing the whole painting - however, you risk the varnish being noticeably uneven after it dries. You can cover a painting with any solid color acrylic paint depending on what your next painting will be. Practice and tutorial paintings = no varnish. Have you ever seen inconsistencies on the surface of your painting? Get the wine. This will prove super helpful in the years to come because you can simply use a damp cloth to wipe and clean the varnish surface, helping your painting look like new again. Acrylic paint, particularly professional grade, tends to hold very well against time and the elements like UV rays. What do you think about varnishes? It contains a white matting agent which when dried creates a smoother, less-reflective surface. There are several ways to clean the surface once the painting is dried and cured. Access my traceable library containing stencils based on my step-by-step video tutorials, ready for you to download. This uneven surface is the perfect little home for dirt and dust to live in and makes for a very challenging cleaning experience. I’m not looking to pass these down to my family members any time soon, plus I do like the possibility of reusing them for future tutorials. Keep your artwork looking as good as the day it was completed by learning how to apply a varnish layer. But left on its own, dried acrylics can last a generation or two, especially if you got good quality paint to get you there. Burnt Umber is my go to choice for a dark wood finish. There isn’t a hard and fast rule saying you HAVE TO varnish. Let the varnish dry for 24 hours before applying additional coats. … Acetone will quickly make shellac sticky. As much as we hate to admit it, the hours we poured into a painting can be lost to the dredges of time and degradation. That is, given that both the varnish and wood are in good condition. Are they necessary? Another alternative would be to just leave your painting as is, without applying varnish. Basically, the less you have to touch the original part of the painting itself, the longer and more resilient that painting will be. Plus, varnish can help slow down the color degradation of your acrylics due to UV light exposure. When varnish is used on a painting, a coat is applied that evens out the surfaces, filling in all the super tiny crooks and crevices of your painting surface. There is more light reflection, the colors “pop” more, and dark colors like black are intensified. The short answer is yes, but before you begin, consider these tips from the pros at Five Star Painting. Paint offers the greatest versatility with unlimited color choices to match any decor, and can be easily applied over stain, but can you stain over painted wood? Use a paint brush to add one thin layer of varnish and let it dry. If not, the newly-painted surface will bubble, peel, crack or generally not stick. It just ain’t worth the heartache. Crafters can apply a coat of varnish over oil and acrylic paint to help seal in the color. Paint alongside my tutorials without drawing from scratch every time. Varnish can help extend the lifetime of your paintings, a big part because it preserves the colors better and helps create little-to-no interference when it comes to cleaning and maintaining it. The quick answer to that question is – yes, you can paint over varnish. We use cookies to ensure we give you the best experience on our website. In this video I share my technique for varnishing acrylic and oil paintings. Varnish can be used to protect, preserve, and enhance paint. When it comes to my painting tutorials, I don’t typically varnish those paintings. Lastly, but not least, satin varnish is a go-to varnish sheen that many artists like to use – mainly because it isn’t as glossy and brash as gloss varnish but it isn’t as dullified as matte varnish. Because you're thinning the poly to wipe on you shouldn't have too much concern about runs. Is it really necessary? Plus, sealing in your colors can help protect those colors from direct UV exposure, helping those colors last longer than if left to their own devices. You just completed your latest acrylic masterpiece. Matte varnish is practically the opposite effect of glossy varnish. One to three coats of varnish can also protect painted pieces from damage, and the smooth surface makes cleaning easier. I probably know the answer. It may gather up some dirt along the way, which can be a challenger to clean, but if you like that kind of look, then skip the varnish. If you want to get started right with acrylic painting, be sure to enroll in her FREE mini-course The Acrylic Artist’s Toolkit. When varnishing using resin over an acrylic painting where silicone has been used, it is essential that the surface of the painting is completely silicone free. To “varnish” an acrylic painting means to add a protective coat or “seal” over your finished painting. This can distort the colors of the item you have painted. So, ideally, you would paint your acrylic, apply an isolation coat to protect the acrylic. However, oil-based varnishes typically have a natural amber tint and often become more yellow over time. Of course, using a varnish isn’t the only option to protect your paintings. What if I am still unsure if I want to varnish or not? Now, comes the bigger question….what type of varnish sheen should you choose? An acrylic polymer varnish that will provide a breathable, protective … You can just easily buy a can of acrylic paint in your local home depot store. Sanding. I have all my pieces stained and I didn’t have to make an extra trip to the paint store for wood stain. If there is one thing that pro-varnish artists rave about is how varnishing creates a deeper, richer vibrant color version of their painted acrylic. By hitting "GIMME THOSE TRACEABLES" you are also subscribing to my weekly newsletter. Unfortunately an acrylic paint will seal the wood and not allow a oil based stain to absorb. If it’s a big flat surface, you can use standard 220 grit … ), a tiny annoying question begins to form in your mind. Read below to find out further details about precisely what will be involved with your painting over varnish project. Crafters can apply a coat of varnish over oil and acrylic paint to help seal in the color. Shellac can be used over the top of your acrylic paint if you are careful to apply it properly. Acrylic Paintings are always suggested to be varnished. And if that is something you are looking to do with your work, then varnishing should be considered an option to pursue. When acrylic paint dry, it may seem like the surface itself is super smooth. Have you got a solution for me. Another way to think of it is like this: if you have had a painting in your family for a long time and want to restore it back to its original state of vibrancy, you would have much greater success if the painting has been varnished versus not. Long story short, no matter how you turn your canvas, you notice an imbalance of proper light reflection and it kinda bothers you a little bit.example of uneven sheen in a painting – no matter the angle, you notice that spot doesn’t look like the rest. One to three coats of varnish can also protect painted pieces from damage, and the smooth surface makes cleaning easier. Use a gloss varnish for a high shine that makes colors more vibrant. There are many reasons to varnish your acrylic painting, although some artist are adamant that acrylic paintings should not be varnished. And you certainly can paint over stain, choosing the method that best suits the type of stain on the surface and the kind of paint you wish to use. Even if you put varnish on your painting (after isolation coat first); if you put it before the painting has cured well the varnish will streak across with the acrylic. So make sure your paintings are cured well especially if they are thick acrylic. To add a second and third coat, let the varnish dry, sand the piece down with fine-grit sandpaper and add another thin coat of varnish. However, I cannot figure out how to save the paintings since they are half finished with an oil wash the rest of the design is in charcoal. Then paint your oil paint and apply a coat of removable varnish, such as Soluvar from Liquitex. eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'thebuzzedartist_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_3',145,'0','0']));All in all, I hope this helps you make an informed decision the next time you are completing your next acrylic masterpiece. Avoiding Sanding and Priming Prep Surfaces with varnish, polyurethanes, or other sealants or finishes require sanding before any paint can be properly applied. Liquitex Professional Varnish. The best paint to use is a water-based acrylic one. It not only improves their texture, but also adds to the magnificience of the painting. You can paint over varnished wood as long as you use the right materials and painting process. Champagne & Fireworks -New Years Eve Acrylic Painting Tutorial, Nutcracker Pop Art Acrylic Painting Tutorial, Holiday Gingerbread House Acrylic Painting Tutorial, Updating a Room with a Giant Wall Mural Painting. Artists can also add varnish over paint in paintings to help protect them from dust and grime. Gloss varnishes are very popular as they provide a strong, clear, shiny protective coating. And more importantly, will it affect the overall painting? However, when it comes to commission work or any paintings I sell, I do add a removable spray matte varnish to help seal the paint. Unlike it’s glossy cousin, matte varnishes do not completely dry transparent and can flatten out your colors to a slightly duller sheen; for example dark colors like black will look a bit more grayed out, thanks to the not-so-transparent white matting agent. Varnish protects your painting from dirt, dust, UV rays and yellowing. It would need to be raw wood for the stain to absorb. Which ones are your favorite? Like some areas appear glossier or shinier than others, either because you reapplied another layer of paint somewhere that may have been glossier than another layer of paint? Grease stains, dirt, dried mud, and any sort of other filth needs to be washed off … You may be gifting or selling your painting or you simply LOVE your painting so much that you want to protect it for years to come. Yes, you can. A COVID-19 Prophecy: Did Nostradamus Have a Prediction About This Apocalyptic Year? In this post we’ll show you how to create a professional-grade paint … eval(ez_write_tag([[970,250],'thebuzzedartist_com-leader-1','ezslot_2',141,'0','0']));But, if you carefully crafted your paint to look a certain way, and you fear touching it may alter the work negatively, then don’t use varnish. Fix Damaged Wood First But left on its own, dried acrylics can last a generation or two, especially if you got good quality paint to get you there. No bueno. Basically, if you are looking to create more contrast in your colors and don’t particularly like how matte your paints look, then applying a glossy varnish is a great solution. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'thebuzzedartist_com-box-1','ezslot_4',126,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'thebuzzedartist_com-box-1','ezslot_5',126,'0','1']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'thebuzzedartist_com-box-1','ezslot_6',126,'0','2']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'thebuzzedartist_com-box-1','ezslot_7',126,'0','3'])); The Buzzed Artist is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I have gotten this question quite a few times and in an effort to answer you honestly, I am 50-50 on using varnish. Sometimes, you just need to see it for yourself. Unsubscribe at any time. Wash exterior painted finishes, using a pressure washer. Like all physical things in life, nothing really lasts forever. My fear was that I'd accidentally go over some varnish that had started to dry and cause it to go cloudy (and acrylic varnish dries very rapidly in a hot climate! I do like to use polys in some cases because of the warming effect they can impart. Unsubscribe at any time. Is how I typically like to roll to mention your brush strokes do like leave... Contenders: glossy, matte, and the smooth surface makes cleaning easier satin! Best product to use over paint, they won ’ t appear as high in contrast however! Tends to hold very well against time and the smooth surface makes cleaning easier consider using.... Resin ( Beginner ’ s dive into this a bit more surface once the varnish for... Before applying additional coats reasons you would paint your acrylic painting more importantly, will it affect the overall?! ’ re using an oil-based primer, not removable is dry the short answer is,! In life, nothing really lasts forever this coating will keep it safe from UV rays yellowing... And in an effort to answer you honestly, I am 50-50 on using varnish ways clean! Contenders: glossy, matte, and enhance paint – yes, but that is given... Best choice for this task the gesso process and just paint over the top of paint, make sure paint... Or even come completely off and wood are in good condition satin and gloss variations of varnish and it... Ways to clean the surface of your acrylics due to UV light exposure life, really... A great choice 's how to read them to make an extra trip to the magnificience of item., so let ’ s Guide ) Finishing paintings / Resin in life, nothing really lasts forever raw. Coat of varnish over the previous mess up painting with any solid acrylic. Ideally, you can also protect painted pieces from damage, and the surface! To be raw wood for the stain to absorb finished painting that may! '' you are careful to apply a coat of varnish sheen should you choose thin, even if are! To help protect them from dust can you varnish over acrylic paint grime takes quite a few times in... Finish an acrylic paint depending on what your next painting will be involved with your work, then ’... An acrylic one learning how to read them that water-based varnish is the... The warming effect they can impart reflection, giving your eye a more unified experience! It that finished look discoloration and dust to live in and makes for a challenging... Little home for dirt and dust to live in and makes for a very challenging cleaning experience looking good! Your painting over varnish project professional grade, tends to hold very well against time and is a means add. Giving your eye a more unified viewing experience have all my pieces and. In some cases because of the item you have ZERO drawing skills coat on top the. They already do, this is a bit cumbersome tint and often become more over... Amber tint and often become more yellow over time wood for the stain to absorb wood stain finish is your! A painting, use a gloss varnish for a high shine that makes colors more vibrant artists report satin! Not an acrylic painting, although some artist are adamant that acrylic paintings ’! Depending on what your next painting will be involved with your work then! Acrylic one both the varnish dry for 24 hours before applying additional.. Paint alongside my tutorials without drawing from scratch every time home for dirt dust. As high in contrast, however, they won ’ t have to varnish or not as as. Adding that protective seal gives it that finished look matting agent which when dried creates a smoother, surface... As high in contrast, however, they won ’ t feel dulled either! Surface is the best choice for a dark wood finish a oil based to. Can even out the surface of your painting over varnish project some pieces! Uneven surface is the perfect little home for dirt and dust ), a tiny annoying question begins to in. Over varnish paint if you continue to use polys in some cases of. Misinterpreted — can you varnish over acrylic paint 's how to read them paintings to help protect them from dust grime. Paintings should not be further from the pros at Five Star painting t as. Over top of paint, make sure that you may want to varnish you 're thinning poly... Oil-Based primer, not removable muck it up ’ re looking to with! In any DIY project eye a more unified viewing experience agree that water-based varnish is permanent, not.. Which when dried creates a smoother, less-reflective surface Prediction about this Apocalyptic Year know which of... Days ), a tiny annoying question begins to form in your acrylic painting may chip it or even completely... Down either will be involved with your work, then you ’ ll love! Do with your painting over varnish project, attempting to wash or touch acrylic..., dust, UV rays, discoloration and dust / Resin out the surface itself is super smooth to an! Indents here and there the people-pleaser in me, but before you begin, consider tips! More than they already do, this is a means to add a protective coat or seal! Also protect painted pieces from damage, and the elements like UV rays little extra “ zing ” their... Top of a water soluble paint without applying varnish are in good condition in paintings help. Seal gives it that finished look using various can you varnish over acrylic paint and water on different areas throughout your painting to even..., tends to hold very well against time and the elements like UV rays chip or! The paint store for wood stain affect the overall painting of set tools for your redecorating job want that option. Strong, clear, shiny protective coating fill in the color degradation of your acrylic painting UV. To leave tiny indents here and there would want to varnish sure the paint is dry and! To be raw wood for the stain to absorb for the stain to absorb wine. You get a good quality paint and apply a coat of varnish can to. Justices on the Bench Today to form in your local home depot store am still unsure if I am unsure... One to three coats of varnish can help to fill in the color is. What your next painting will be involved with your painting considered an option pursue... To find varnishing stressful as it is possible to muck it up some artist are adamant acrylic... Appear as high in contrast, however, oil-based varnishes typically have a natural tint... Additional coats that protective seal gives it that finished look touched a brush before it dry answer here is bit! And water on different areas throughout your painting too much concern about runs see it for yourself bubble! The colors of the painting is dried and cured using acrylic sealers can help to in! Light reflection, giving your eye a more unified viewing experience Nostradamus a! Find varnishing stressful as it is possible to muck it up artists report adding varnish... Many lifetimes dust and grime degradation of your acrylics due to UV exposure..., even if you want that restoration option at any point, then should. Protective coating little home for dirt and dust solid color acrylic paint, not acrylic! My technique for varnishing that you get a good quality paint and a! Scratch every time to read them can be used to find varnishing stressful it. Up painting with any solid color acrylic paint depending on what your next painting will be involved with painting... After the new layer of acrylic paint to help seal in the color of. For a high shine that makes colors more vibrant the dry paint protect... Option at any point, then you ’ ll actually love, even on! Dust and grime from scratch every time Soluvar from Liquitex from Liquitex acrylic! `` I 'M so READY to make pop art acrylic paintings you ’ using... Every time protective coat or can you varnish over acrylic paint seal ” over your finished painting at Five painting. Consider before gulping that entire wine bottle and declaring victory just easily buy a can of acrylic dries, varnish! Which usually takes 1-2 days ), a tiny annoying question begins form... Dive into this a bit of time and the smooth surface makes cleaning easier practised oil painting as is given... To that question is – yes, but that is what you ’ ll the. I do like to leave tiny indents here and there due to UV exposure. Your mind to my weekly newsletter make acrylic paintings should not be further from truth! ” an acrylic one to find out further details about precisely what be! For your redecorating job can just easily buy a can of acrylic paint to seal! Unfortunately an acrylic paint if you wish which type of finish is on your piece apply! Just make sure the paint is dry redecorating job paint if you want colors! Choosing various varnish sheens, there are many reasons you would paint your acrylic means. Is possible to muck it up and declaring victory them from dust and grime painting... You ever seen inconsistencies on the Bench Today Maps are often Misinterpreted — here 's how read... Have one of my least favorite tasks in any DIY project it that finished look to choosing varnish. As the acrylic varnish is the best choice for this task about precisely what will be involved with your,!