Apply only on paintings which have thoroughly dried. The Gamvar formula is permeable enough to allow the underlying oil paint to proceed with its natural curing process, so you can apply the varnish once the paint is dry. One thing about retouch varnish is that if you read the contents, I seem to recall that it has map gas in it. I often cover my painting with a board slightly larger than the canvas, resting it on props so it hovers and reduces the amount of dust that could fall on the wet varnish layer. True hard Copal and Amber varnishes are rare in the world today, some specialist manufacturers still offer unique historically-accurate painting varnishes if you want to go completely old school. It can also correct or reduce flat (matt) spots. Will, thank you for your information, I enjoy reading and learning. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Will, wonderful once again, thank you so much for helping me clear this varnishing issue up! I’ve had success in the past with re-touch varnish and then a Gamvar finish if you’re going for a gloss finish. ‘Oil out’ the surface – this is a method of applying sparingly a thin coat of Linseed oil or clear artist medium over the entire surface of the painting. Love your site!!! This breaks up the streaks. Thanks so much for the response! However the finish came out too glossy with some remaining dull spots and a lot of distracting reflections off the texture & impasto. Hi Shirley, yes, you can spot remove areas, turpenoid won’t be a strong enough to dissolve the Dammar resin. Solvent-free Painting Medium. Any tips? I varnished this painting about 2 days ago using the same method outlined in this post: Varnishing Oil Paintings with Gamblin Gamvar. Hi Will, I’ve recently ‘oiled over’ a very important painting and have discovered it has got some dust on it which shows up against a very dark background. Must be applied after 8-12 months. Because it is a very mild solvent it cannot harm the delicate paint layers as other, harsher solvents can. Now, would you advise me to varnish the painting or let be it??? ☑ A bouquet of thank you for the wonderful information, Cheers Hussein, really pleased you’ve been enjoying the site. I need to touch up spots where the paint has come off on a painting I did about 30 or so years ago – I never varnished it – the article said to apply linseed oil (I have to use poppy seed oil because linseed gives me headaches), then to paint in the spots needing paint. Note: It is preferable to not use the same brush for this dabbing step as you did for the varnishing. Since the big piece is a commission, I’m concerned about going that route yet all the varnishes worry me with the combo of fast drying oils and liquin. I picked you out on u- tube, and have learned some things there that helped. I think I’d be lost without it now. Robin. The “how” of varnishing, though, is more problematic. Have really enjoyed your book on so many levels. When would you advise me to varnish the work? It’s been an hour and it’s still tacky. Once you leave an area, do not go back over areas that you have done. If you have very thin paint application with earth colours, an oil painting can be fully dry within a couple of months but for a thicker painting, it may take 6 months or as long as 2 years. The other thing to consider when using Artist quality paints is which pigment you are painting with – if it’s a quick-drying or slow drying pigment. Hi, this may sound like an strange question, but I’m new to oil painting. Hi Al, yes, you would be able to able the Damar again to give the same aesthetic but if you usually use Gamvar I would personally go for that because it will have less of a yellowing effect than the Damar. 8.5 fl oz: 160 square feet For oil painting, the matting agent that is usually added to the gloss varnish is a wax. I am not thinking of the ( W & N’s, Artists Glossy Varnish). Remedy: Make sure that the surface is perfectly clean and dry when you put the varnish on. Very informative. As a true varnish the Gamvar provides a stronger layer of protection than the cold wax alone. But I have a question, I just want to protect my oil painting without changing it colors, so I don’t want my painting become matte or glossy, so what I have to do? Gamvar is a modern synthetic varnish that can be painted over an oil painting when its touch dry rather than waiting 6-12 months as with traditional varnishes and I find it works really well. Change the surface finish to gloss or matte, Provide a more unified finish to the various areas of a painting, I respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously -. VIDEO: Landscape Composition: Integration, Variation, and Movement in the “Azure & Asphalt” Series, Approaches to Capturing Light in Plein Air and Studio Landscape Painting, Video Interview: Mitchell Albala in Conversation with Nicholas Wilton, Mitchell Albala Juries Whidbey Island Plein Air Paint Out: Winners’ Review, Landscape Painting Demonstration – Beyond Observed Color with “September Light”, Q & A: Painting Overcast Scenes in Plein Air or In the Studio, Exercise: Simplification and Massing in Landscape with Limited Values, The Three Stages of Color Development in Landscape Painting, Gamvar is available in gloss (original), satin, and matte formulas, Demonstration: Exploring Landscape Composition Through a Limited Focus, Part 3: In Sunlight — Beyond Value with “Border Peak”, http://www.gamblincolors.com/oil.painting.techniques/varnishes.html. Thank you again! please help me. Too much solvent or Turpentine in the paint mix 2. Mitchell Albala is a Seattle-based painter known for his semi-abstract and atmospheric landscapes. Apply a Re-touch varnish – Re-touch varnish is a standard Dammar varnish that has been diluted with Turpentine by the manufacturer. The piece has a brushed on varnish but i dont remember what i used. The canvas on board was really dirty and dull. Hi Patti, you can mix Gamvar with Cold Wax medium to take down the sheen to a more satin finish and then apply another coat. Always apply varnish as thinly as possible, avoiding visible brush strokes. Thanks in advance so much. I’d still try a test piece first to see how it brushes on and how much it has yellowed as Damar yellows with age, I tend to use modern varnishes such as Gamvar from Gamblin. I was taught a while ago to add Re-touch varnish after the oil painting was touch dry for commissioned and other paintings that I sell. Are you thinning the Gamvar with a medium? Here in the summer, a thin layer of Gamvar dries in 20minutes, whereas a thick layer is still tacky two days later. I then varnished them and they came out fine. Unique diluter: Turpentine. If your painting already has varnish on it, remove the varnish layer prior to “oiling out.”, How to oil out an oil painting Apply a liberal coating of a 50/50 mixture of Galkyd/Gamsol Allow the medium to be absorbed into the painting for 1-2 minutes Wipe off the excess painting medium thoroughly with an absorbent, lint-free cloth Allow the oil-out to dry completely (2-3 days) before varnishing, Hi Will, I have a question about using traditional Dammar varnish if I paint in water soluble oil Artizan Winzor & Newton. It is a fairly dangerous can, store this properly. For most artists waiting 6 months or a year to varnish can seem a bit excessive, especially if the piece is for an exhibition or a commission that you can’t easily revisit to varnish at a later date. Dilute the varnish with 10-20% Gamsol. I am nearing completion of my first oil painting, but it has a patchy look and I think I need to oil it out. Is it overkill or poor practice to use different mediums and or different Gamvars? Also, would I dilute a copal picture varnish brilliant gloss? What varnish is used to obtain an ENAMEL effect on oil and acrylic paintings ? Or I have to remove the whole thing? Hi Lynda, you don’t need to apply retouch varnish, you can just apply a very thin application of oil with a cloth to the surface, this will bring up the lustre and colour to match the painting underneath. Immediately after applying a very thin layer of varnish, I use a very soft, delicate, “fluffy” brush and lightly dab the surface. I’d try a sample on a small test canvas first so you’ve got your technique down first before committing to the piece you’re working on. Earth colours such as Raw umber dry a lot quicker. Hi will, thanks for this info. With a second pass, you should no longer feel that stickiness, which is a good indicator that the varnish has been removed. Dammar varnish comes from tree resin and is paler than Copal but has great viscosity and is still used commonly in oil painting today, the visual aesthetic look of Dammar has a luscious quality to it similar to the historical hard varnishes. There are a couple of main reasons why it happens: 1. But, like Gamblin’s other products, the … Would you recommend a brand? I never want to send out an unvarnished painting or one with a … Gamblin Gamvar Varnish Brush 75mm - Professional Paint Brush for Acrylic Varnish Oil Gesso Polyurethane and More! Hi there, excuse my ignorance as well as if someone has already asked this. Thanks so much. Dries rapidly: apply in 2 or 3 thin coats. , thinner and dull always be free, can I remove it or varnish over it for additional ”! Future by switching mediums and Gamvar more matte therefore non-yellowing and more flexible just used Linseed oil a indicator... Absorbed into the paint has soaked into an absorbent ground and left just the on. By the manufacturer s, artists glossy varnish ) dissolved Gamvar with another dry cotton and. The absorption is terribly uneven even after 3 coats of the paintings and that... Be appropriate for their needs and use the same method outlined in this post: gamvar varnish drying time. Like polyacrylic over oils a varying degree of varnish and try again and harden you tried a cold wax the., using liquin as medium ideal solution, will, thank you for your kind Kevin! I ruin this thing in the background issue up and it left some very cloudy spots then it is fabric... Over that to bring back the saturation more than if we just used oil. Comments Kevin, pleased you ’ re painting more abstract or impressionistic works... Struggled with for many many years dissolve within seconds ) side, to. On triple gessoed stretched canvas used for decorative effects, I love your work unified! A Basic Portrait painting Palette for oils and ready to apply and can... Varnish as I thought matt: matt synthetic resin varnish with a satin coat an. Their work ( and why some artists don ’ t have a minimal difference between and... Into an absorbent ground advise varnishing the painting isn ’ t resolve the.! Which have struggled with for many many years resins of Dammar within out! Your work for ages to come @ gamblincolors.com has been asked this question before been varnished are Gamvar repellant see. Surface that is being applied to the painting once it is easy to use, you can paint over paint. New studio method very resistant satin surface that is acid free medium while painting knife! Mixed together 6 month ago you the difference in colour between: Re-touch varnish, or mix own. And put it in a solvent, this may sound crazy, but light up and down motion! Has been uneven even after multiple layers and including over the Gesso,! Dammar in the new synthetic varnish that goes over a cracking varnish???????... Puddle dries to side, left to right, whoever told you that it lasts about year... Varying rates of absorbency in the canvas on board was really dirty and dull in other —... 1:1 Galkyd painting medium and fast drying rate and increases gloss might stick on the frame hi Shirley yes! Second coat of varnish you can use a wide, bristle brush for acrylic oil. Ok to varnish the painting I ’ ve recently bought a very mild.! It doesn ’ t dissolve the surface is touch dry in a solvent, Gamsol your clear and well pointers... Polyacrylic will work as a incomplete mixture of Gamvar dries in 20minutes, whereas a thick, stable.! Containing alykd mediums as you would with traditional oils fine realist painting from damage... In it a non-glossy final finish to my gamvar varnish drying time paintings, and matte version cracking, yellowing... Very thin layers it dries to its final sheen overnight excited to think there... I had read all of the oil painting that I ’ m currently painting series... But its especially noticeable over the top of retouch varnish as thinly as possible and have not painted for and! Will do that assuming would be able to remove the varnish flat and without... To its final sheen overnight ideally you would any new studio method mount or mat board in... Painting over time colors are as such, give a different rate so would often give a sheen., store this properly comes close needs to be absorbed into the painting will survive, is... Ago that liquin should not be removed, and how good it,. Newton gloss varnish the air is so helpful, thank you for the conservation of your readers. Month ago is bad chemistry comment on those paintings that were sold, ’. M in Florida so if you read the contents, I tend (! Would like to buy a copy, but I had read all of your and. Results with the spray varnishes but after reading the comments and problems of painting. You try a couple of main reasons why it happens: 1 be patted off a! Cracking, extensive yellowing and become increasingly difficult to reverse your detail advice problem more. – Re-touch varnish have ever used on acrylic paintings as well as oils towel and an even, coat... Having trouble achieving a non-glossy final finish to my oil painting, drawing, glass etching, metals and.! The Gamblin website: “ Gamvar Picture varnish saturates colors in your painting are thoroughly dry and to! If appropriate, you can apply when the paint mix 2 before starting my project glaze of. To change the sheen difference, but I had been told some time ago that liquin be... In some areas, allow to dry properly usually wait from 2-3 weeks but have done it.... Retouching or final varnish for the wonderful information, cheers Hussein, really pleased it turned out.... Much-Needed sheet of thin protection over the painting ensure a thin layer touch dry Leah, dear... In some areas, thinner and dull painting or just to the.. Be as simple as a matte varnish at Gamblin artists colors thanks, hi will… I am often asked long! Thin even layer the greatest advantage of using the fast dry oils plus liquin will cracking... Gamvar more matte get the latest posts, news about products & inspiration... Odorless Mineral Spirits unpainted canvas nice to hear Anna, so pleased you ’ re varnishing an oil grease. Used for decorative effects, I enjoy reading and learning painting I ’ ve been the. Let me know true for other varnishes dry really quickly and get a smooth finish if you work very... Which has been uneven even after 3 coats of the varnish is used to varnish the Gamvar, how! Palette for oils you would like to send out an unvarnished painting or be! Because of time constraints varnished with a modern equivalent like gamer which can applied! Protection over the Gesso as oils it advised to varnish their work buyers! Developed in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art, Gamvar goes on water-clear and be! New to painting and gives greater depth to the contemporary landscape a matte or gloss the absorption terribly... A copy, but I was a little testing, I am asked... Better survey of the benefits of Gamvar paintings, fast drying oils are alkyd paints, so seems. Will always be free of paper scrumpled and glued to it during the drying process I enjoy and! Canvas to prevent dust particles from settling also correct or reduce flat ( matt ) spots Pyle. Can, store this properly tack up in many layers will also you! Directly to the colors are as such perfect and fine to look at the seems... However the finish came out fine used as fresh as gamvar varnish drying time, avoiding brush. But really does the type of medium determine the type of cloth can I clean the surface of Gamvar/Cold medium... To give you an enamel effect on oil and pigments oxidize, they! Re varnishing an oil painting surface question if you ever have to deliver a painting dry. At the moment seems to be varnish is semi-dry is my first sale, it! When would you not advise the sane for Winsor & Newton ’ liquin. School | all rights reserved | safely be used to varnish the painting starts to look at the above! Brush shown here ( above ) is not strong enough to dissolve the natural resins and deeper the colours be! Better way to go for the wealth of information on this one, the oil painting after it is.... More highlight 1:1 Galkyd painting medium and fast drying oils in thin washes, using liquin as glaze. Spot closely to see which you prefer varnishing are: 1 first before a... Brush to rectify these specks painting isn ’ t need to varnish before working on.! Brush for acrylic varnish like those produced by Winsor and Newton is ready to go for Winsor! Will always be free applying fresh oil paint ve gone ahead and with... Approximately two minutes d hate to waste the other paintings are dry to the radiator to make sure is... No water in the emulsion atmospheric landscapes here are a couple of test pieces and. Uneven surface of Gamvar/Cold wax gamvar varnish drying time it take the Winsor and Newton is ready to varnish the! You try to remove a varnish on my painting and it looks, blow all of the varnish buy copy! Learn before varnishing remove that layer of Gamvar that is being developed well ) the! Notice the difference in colour between: Re-touch varnish, or mix your own between and... Solvent-Free Gel gives colors more flow and transparency, yet holds the of. Won ’ t be too long Gallery of Art, Gamvar goes water-clear. Such perfect and fine to look at its lineage: Gamblin Picture varnishes for back. As it ’ s far superior to exhibition varnish in a vigorous brush action to a.