How I Varnish My Paintings | Acrylic Satin Varnish on Unprimed Canvas

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Welcome back! I’ve been getting a lot of questions about my painting process, especially how I varnish my paintings. I am happy to share my process.
I paint with acrylic on unprimed canvas, so it's important to protect the surface of the painting with an isolation coat and a topcoat of removable satin varnish.
Varnish creates an archival protective layer that is removable for conservation purposes. Varnishing a painting will protect it from dust, damage, and UV rays. In the future, the painting can be restored and cleaned by removing the varnish.
Step 1: Isolation Coat
An isolation coat is a clear acrylic coating, that physically separates the painting’s surface from the removable varnish.
For my isolation coat, I mix 1/2 pouring acrylic medium and dilute it with 1/2 water. This mixture will ensure an even application of the acrylic medium. With a large paintbrush, I apply 3-4 coats to the painting and wait for each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
After the third coat, the entire surface of the painting will be very glossy.
Step 2: Apply the Varnish
Please follow all the directions and safety precautions on the varnish container, and wear gloves to protect your hands.
I use Golden Removable Polymer Varnish - Satin Finish with UVLS:
For more information: www.goldenpaints.com/technica...
Dilute the varnish with 3 parts varnish and 1 part water. I recommend marking your container with a marker to help measure.
With a large paintbrush, apply 2-3 coats of the varnish and wait for each layer to dry completely before applying the next. Depending on the thickness of the coat, sometimes it can take up to 6 hours for each layer of varnish to dry. To avoid a cloudy haze, I recommend no more than 3 coats of matte or satin varnish.
I like to use a satin varnish because it's the perfect in-between gloss and matte. Choosing a varnish finish is completely up to you and your aesthetic, and I would do some research and tests before trying it out on a final painting.
Step 3: Wait for Varnish to cure
After your last coat of varnish allow a week for the varnish to cure completely for several days and avoid contact with the surface.
I hope you found this video helpful, remember to make a test, and read the directions on the container carefully before applying anything to a finished painting.
Thank you for watching!
Please subscribe to see more videos of my process and art.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Sun Shower - Isobelle Walton
Patterns of Solace - Isobelle Walton
#studiovlog #artvlog #acrylicvarnish

Опубликовано:

17 сен 2020

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Комментарии : 49

@rayak7071 Месяц назад

Ahhh, I’ve been trying to figure this out for a while now. Thank you!

@LearningPointsDD Год назад

It looks wonderful.

@verushckacizzelle7403 11 месяцев назад

Finally ❤

@umarah4329 3 года назад

Loved this video. Super helpful and straight to the point. Also very calming to watch :)

@artgugunft 3 года назад

So relaxing ! Nice to see more of your new video! Happy weekend:)

@AlexCurley 3 года назад

Thank you! I hope you have a great week too 😊

@Arinmalaha 3 года назад

This is just gold.,,,😍 It's a pity that i couldn't find the same canvas with beige color here in Germany like yours...keep update Alex ..

@mishaelgeorge4264 3 года назад

This was really helpful! Thank you!

@AlexCurley 3 года назад

Thank you so much! I'm glad it was helpful 😊

@doodleart8640 3 года назад

Thank you i am using liquitex too

@doodleart8640 3 года назад

So helpfull

@hakimahakima8935 3 года назад

😍😍😍

@SandyGaskettArt 3 года назад

Interesting! I've only ever used a straight mix..use liquitex as well

@maddscientist3170 3 года назад

yes I thought the same thing....never says to thin it on the labels......BUT it would make for a smoother application especially with a brush

@AlexCurley 3 года назад

Yes, I find that works too!

@Smithy28 3 года назад

Thank you for great, clear instructions. I varnished a large painting in satin finish but I had a strip I must not have covered properly so I gave it a second coat but the dull strip is still there. Is there a way to fix this? Could I put a matte varnish all over the satin to make it all flat so the dull strip doesn’t show?

@ultraninja13 2 года назад

This video was great it gave a ton of information about varnishing. Just wondering would you do this same process even if you were painting other objects like a skateboard?

@susanallen9849 7 месяцев назад

Hi Alex, 👋 I’m commenting from the future. I’m considering a foray into raw canvas acrylic painting and I wondered if you ‘size’ your raw canvas and then prime it with clear gesso before you paint with your wet washes? I’m considering a clear gesso before I paint, but read that it’s a good idea to seal the canvas before the gesso layer to avoid SID (Support Induced Discolouration). I’d love your advice. Thanks.

@kolossos86 2 года назад

Wow. I have never „met“ an artist who treats your works of art so delicately and carefully and with so much care. I think you radiate a lot of love and passion. I also tried varnishing my artwork, but didn't get it evenly distributed. However, I did not apply an isolation code either. maybe that makes it easier? very important, how do you clean the brush after use? i used turpentine substitute but my brushes are not as soft as they were at the beginning. in the end they got hard. maybe you have some advice and unfortunately the golden satin polymer varnish is not available in any corner of germany. what about the "normal" golden varnish. Just the best for you and your Creative Soul. Thanks, justinebrueckner

@slitrovaart Год назад

Hi, I'm not the creator of the video, but I paint acrylic and oil paintings and tried different sorts of varnishes so I can answer your questions :) If you use impasto and different structures on your paintings, it's better to use a varnish in spray and spray it while it's set down horizontally on a table or so, so the varnish doesn't drip. Even distribution can be a problem if your water or solvent soluble varnish isn't diluted enough. Also, if you are brushing it on, it's better to apply two coats, one from top to bottom, second one from left to right :) Isolation coat is necessary for acrylic paintings, because if the varnish is to be removed, the paint layer stays protected from the removing solvents. Oil paints are not as sensitive in this regard. Removal of solvent-soluble varnish from brushes is an issue, it's good to have just one brush that is for varnishing only and keeping it in a jar with air-tight hole in the lid to keep the bristles in solvent. Also there are brush cleaning solvents available to buy which are supposedly "gentler" than classical solvents, but I haven't tried those. Finally, I'm from the Czech Republic and I was able to get the Golden Polymer Satin Varnish shipped from NYC based Blick Art Materials. The shipping cost was as much as the varnish and Golden Soft gel medium that I use for isolation coat, but it was definitely worth the money, I think they ship to Germany too :)

@dtasha 3 года назад

I have been wondering if I can use varnish on unprimed canvas and how that would affect it. And finally after much searching I've found your video and this is everything I needed because I strictly use raw canvas. thank you!

@AlexCurley 3 года назад

Yes! absolutely! 😊

@K2Size Год назад

But its rAw for 100% ? Any single layer of transparent prime ?

@RubyChewArt 3 года назад

Love your work and your RU-vid! Thanks for sharing. I wanted to ask - how do you get that watercolour on paper stain/bleed affect on the raw canvas with acrylic? I’ve tried using acrylics mixed with part water and medium... it and it’s so tricky!

@AlexCurley 3 года назад

Thank you so much! On canvas, I usually start by making a puddle of just water, and then I slowly add the acyclic/medium/water mix in certain areas. Sometimes the acrylic will do what it wants, so I won't know the final result until it dries 😊I find making tests on smaller pieces of canvas and paper helpful before going on a large piece.

@kolossos86 2 года назад

Great to watch. but I have a question. what varnish could you also recommend? Unfortunately, the varnish from golden is no longer available. The best wishings from Germany

@kerih1785 3 года назад

Beautiful. What type of canvas do you use? I love the way the paint blooms. I've never used untreated canvas. Love your videos, thank you for sharing your process.

@AlexCurley 3 года назад

Thank you Keri! I like to use cotton duck 12 oz canvas. It's lightweight and very smooth, great for staining and washes. I order it by the yard from Blick art supplies. 😊

@JenRamos-MadeByGirl Год назад

Hi! Is the canvas a slightly tan color?? When purchased?

@stephanemilhomme6774 2 года назад

Hello Alex, did you try to put varnish directly without pouring medium before? Thank you!

@K2Size Год назад

Hey! Amazing art. Is it 100% raw canvas ?

@owlbabeart 3 года назад

Hi alex, hope you're doing well! Would you recommend putting an isolation coat for all acrylic paintings? I definitely learned something new here today~

@AlexCurley 3 года назад

I think I would if you plan of keeping or selling the painting. However, for practice pieces or ones I'm unsure about, I would not. 😊

@noordaffodilblooms5981 3 года назад

Hi ALex ,nice to watch more of your videos, i have understand that you draw directly on the canvas which is a peice of cloth only without adding primer my question if i use a canvas with a primer, should i use isolation coat or use varnish directly, and if it is a watercolour drawing , should i use the same procedure? Thank you so much for sharing and help and have a nice day

@AlexCurley 3 года назад

Great question, I would still apply an isolation coat on a primed or unprimed canvas before the varnish. For a watercolor drawing on paper, I would use a spray isolation coat and varnish as the watercolor might smear if you paint it on with a brush. I would also test it out first to see. I hope this helps, and I hope you have a nice day too! 😊

@noordaffodilblooms5981 3 года назад

@@AlexCurley thank you so much ALex , it really help . Keep on your great works and God bless you

@jessicasmysticmedicine7210 3 года назад

hello there thank you for this video! I was wondering why do you think that your mix of water and pouring medieum works well as a isolation coat? what makes this mix resemble what an isolation does? thanks!

@AlexCurley 3 года назад

hi Jessica, I think I do it to build up an even coat without the risk of brush strokes, but I can see how just the pouring medium would work just fine on its own. 😊

@susanallen9849 9 месяцев назад

Hi 👋, can I ask what you mean by ‘removable varnish”. Is there a reason the varnish would be removed from the painting in the future? Is this so you can re-varnish it when it gets dusty or dirty, or am I reading it wrong? Thanks 😊

@craziiiii 3 года назад

So I have the same varnish from Golden...I have their isolation coat too. I want to add glitter though. Is it possible to add glitter to the varnish? I have the matte and satin polymer varnishes.

@AlexCurley 3 года назад

I think this would be possible, might be best to add the glitter with the isolation coat as the varnish is intended to be removed eventually. But now that I am thinking more... the varnish could change the reflective qualities of the glitter. I would test it out on a small piece to see what happens. I am interested to hear about it!