testing watercolour varnish + small art haul | art studio vlog 

Thank you. I prefer the cold wax medium. After it is dry, use a soft, lint-free cloth to buff slightly. Then add another layer. I add about 3 coats and allow to dry 24 hours in between. This is how I treat all my watercolours on wood panels. I cannot tolerate the smell of the spray, even after leaving the painting outside to air. Also, I cannot spray in winter. So this method has worked well for me. No dust ever accumulates on my waxed paintings. And they have never smeared the paint in the slightest.

I would recommend that you look into the need to apply an isolation layer/coat. The TLDR is: because over time the varnishing could get UV damage, dust accumulation, humidity damage, etc. For those reasons, it’s’ good idea to plan that it’s likely that you will to remove the varnish and apply a new varnish coat. An isolation layer helps with this problem. Probably the best video I found is the video titled “How to varnish Gouache paintings for framing without glass tutorial” by Lena Rivo. Also, the video “How to varnish a Gouache painting and why you should” by Danny Sabra Art. Gouache and watercolors are very similar, so any tips for Gouache would work for watercolors. Love your videos, they feel so natural. Just a safety thing, always wear a mask when using sprays. Your lungs and sinuses will thank you later 🥰

you explain these things so well! enjoyed till the end 🥰

Love the illustrations btw! 😉 They look great at the end!

Your work is very striking and lovely. I use Dorlands wax on my gouache paintings. I use a soft cloth and I leave this cloth in the jar and reuse it to apply several paintings until I decide to start with a new one again. I just use a small section of cloth. I throw away the buffing cloth each time. I use cotton tshirt pieces. The coating should be fairly thin. Let dry ( several hours up overnight ). Then buff with a clean soft cloth. Generally all in circular motions You will not smear or pick up color if you have not used things like charcoal. And let dry before buffing to reveal final finish. It will not smear gouache at all which is even more easily reactivated by liquids. I only do one coat on mine. But I've never used on canvas I do mine very quickly like maybe 20 seconds. And the. Leave and buff same time. Very quick. When you apply the page should be oily feeling when applied. I would never be confused if applied in an area because it's very silky waxy oily. It dries firm.