Comments on: How I Varnish Oil and Acrylic Paintings http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/2008/09/02/how-i-varnish-oil-and-acrylic-paintings/ Hudson River Valley artist and painter Jamie Grossman posts her daily paintings and musings. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:10:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Stacey http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/2008/09/02/how-i-varnish-oil-and-acrylic-paintings/comment-page-1/#comment-15924 Stacey Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:00:48 +0000 http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/?p=1446#comment-15924 Hi Jamie, Thank you for the very helpful post! I'm wondering if the same isolation coat and varnish can also be used on an acrylic painting that incorporates newspaper and magazine clippings. I'm guessing that it would work just fine since the Golden Soft Gels can also be used for collaging... Any suggestions? Hi Jamie,
Thank you for the very helpful post! I’m wondering if the same isolation coat and varnish can also be used on an acrylic painting that incorporates newspaper and magazine clippings. I’m guessing that it would work just fine since the Golden Soft Gels can also be used for collaging… Any suggestions?

]]> By: Jamie http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/2008/09/02/how-i-varnish-oil-and-acrylic-paintings/comment-page-1/#comment-15666 Jamie Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:51:39 +0000 http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/?p=1446#comment-15666 I'm so glad you found it helpful, Fabrizio. I’m so glad you found it helpful, Fabrizio.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/2008/09/02/how-i-varnish-oil-and-acrylic-paintings/comment-page-1/#comment-15665 Jamie Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:51:01 +0000 http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/?p=1446#comment-15665 Pelham, did you wait a few days for the gloss medium isolation coat to dry completely before applying the varnish? Was there an even sheen over the painting after the isolation coat? It is possible that your painting may have needed more than one isolation coat, if you were working on a more absorbent support. As far as what to do now, I'd suggest you contact Liquitex (makers of Soluvar) and ask them, as I've not had that problem. Pelham, did you wait a few days for the gloss medium isolation coat to dry completely before applying the varnish? Was there an even sheen over the painting after the isolation coat? It is possible that your painting may have needed more than one isolation coat, if you were working on a more absorbent support.

As far as what to do now, I’d suggest you contact Liquitex (makers of Soluvar) and ask them, as I’ve not had that problem.

]]> By: Fabrizio Van Marciano http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/2008/09/02/how-i-varnish-oil-and-acrylic-paintings/comment-page-1/#comment-15649 Fabrizio Van Marciano Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:43:15 +0000 http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/?p=1446#comment-15649 Hi Jamie thanks for the post. For some time now I've been looking for a more convenient way to varnish my acrylic abstract paintings. I generally use to use a non filming solution with water mixed into a sprayer applicator. This wasn't always the best method so reading your post was most helpful thanks for sharing. Hi Jamie thanks for the post. For some time now I’ve been looking for a more convenient way to varnish my acrylic abstract paintings. I generally use to use a non filming solution with water mixed into a sprayer applicator. This wasn’t always the best method so reading your post was most helpful thanks for sharing.

]]> By: pelham http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/2008/09/02/how-i-varnish-oil-and-acrylic-paintings/comment-page-1/#comment-15054 pelham Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:30:13 +0000 http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/?p=1446#comment-15054 I have a problem with the varnish on my acrylic painting. I made an isolation coat using the gloss medium when the painting was done (I did this in one layer). then I went over it with two coats of the soluvar gloss varnish. The problem is that the initial coat was more matte in some areas (i guess it was applied thinner and i should have done two coats). so now it looks all uneven. I cant get the sheen to be consistent. I want to try everything possible without stripping off the soluvar layers and starting over. is it possible to apply a soluvar matte finish over it to even the sheen and then apply yet another gloss coat (i love the gloss coat and the vibrancy of the colors as well)... or will the matte finish permanently change the finish? I just need the finish to be even. I have a problem with the varnish on my acrylic painting. I made an isolation coat using the gloss medium when the painting was done (I did this in one layer). then I went over it with two coats of the soluvar gloss varnish. The problem is that the initial coat was more matte in some areas (i guess it was applied thinner and i should have done two coats). so now it looks all uneven. I cant get the sheen to be consistent. I want to try everything possible without stripping off the soluvar layers and starting over. is it possible to apply a soluvar matte finish over it to even the sheen and then apply yet another gloss coat (i love the gloss coat and the vibrancy of the colors as well)… or will the matte finish permanently change the finish? I just need the finish to be even.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/2008/09/02/how-i-varnish-oil-and-acrylic-paintings/comment-page-1/#comment-6562 Jamie Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:16:43 +0000 http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/?p=1446#comment-6562 Correction: In my first reply to Margaret three comments up, I gave an incorrect ratio of Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) to water for the isolation coat. I am unable to edit comments to change that. It should be two parts Gel to one part water. Ratios stated in the post itself, and in my quote from the Golden website, are correct. Correction: In my first reply to Margaret three comments up, I gave an incorrect ratio of Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) to water for the isolation coat. I am unable to edit comments to change that. It should be two parts Gel to one part water. Ratios stated in the post itself, and in my quote from the Golden website, are correct.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/2008/09/02/how-i-varnish-oil-and-acrylic-paintings/comment-page-1/#comment-6559 Jamie Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:26:37 +0000 http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/?p=1446#comment-6559 Margaret, my guess is that the matte medium is not quite as clear as the gloss, and of course as an isolation coat, you want it to be as transparent as possible. If you don't like a glossy finish, you can always elect to use a matte or semi-gloss varnish over the top in order to make that adjustment in sheen. Personally, I love that glossy, glass-like finish. I feel it brings out the depth to the color and pops the values better. If you go with a gloss varnish, just be sure to photograph your work before you varnish, or you may get a lot of glare in your photos. Jamie Margaret, my guess is that the matte medium is not quite as clear as the gloss, and of course as an isolation coat, you want it to be as transparent as possible. If you don’t like a glossy finish, you can always elect to use a matte or semi-gloss varnish over the top in order to make that adjustment in sheen. Personally, I love that glossy, glass-like finish. I feel it brings out the depth to the color and pops the values better. If you go with a gloss varnish, just be sure to photograph your work before you varnish, or you may get a lot of glare in your photos.

Jamie

]]> By: Margaret Bunton http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/2008/09/02/how-i-varnish-oil-and-acrylic-paintings/comment-page-1/#comment-6558 Margaret Bunton Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:57:18 +0000 http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/?p=1446#comment-6558 Hi Jamie, thanks for explaining to me. I will exchange it - had no idea the level of gloss would make a difference. Who would have thought? Margaret Hi Jamie, thanks for explaining to me. I will exchange it – had no idea the level of gloss would make a difference. Who would have thought?
Margaret

]]> By: Jamie http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/2008/09/02/how-i-varnish-oil-and-acrylic-paintings/comment-page-1/#comment-6553 Jamie Sun, 01 Feb 2009 15:19:13 +0000 http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/?p=1446#comment-6553 Margaret, the Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) is the one you need as an isolation coat, diluted about 1 part Gel to 2 parts water. My guess is that you either got the semi-gloss or the matte version instead. Here is the quote from the Golden website on their materials: <em>Soft Gels - Thinner than GOLDEN Heavy Body Acrylic colors, Soft Gels are moderately pourable. Hold only slight peaks. The recommended acrylic to function as a glue for collaging. Soft Gel Gloss is ideal for glazing and other techniques where transparency is desired. Useful as a non-removable isolation coat, applied over the painting and before the varnish (must be thinned with water - 2 parts Soft Gel Gloss to 1 part water).</em> Perhaps wherever you got it from, they will let you switch it for the Gloss version. The Golden website is a wonderful resource for artists. It goes into great detail with all sorts of subjects ranging from application procedures for their own products, to support preparation. There is a link to their site in the "Links" section on my right sidebar. ---> Jamie Margaret, the Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) is the one you need as an isolation coat, diluted about 1 part Gel to 2 parts water. My guess is that you either got the semi-gloss or the matte version instead. Here is the quote from the Golden website on their materials:

Soft Gels – Thinner than GOLDEN Heavy Body Acrylic colors, Soft Gels are moderately pourable. Hold only slight peaks. The recommended acrylic to function as a glue for collaging. Soft Gel Gloss is ideal for glazing and other techniques where transparency is desired. Useful as a non-removable isolation coat, applied over the painting and before the varnish (must be thinned with water – 2 parts Soft Gel Gloss to 1 part water).

Perhaps wherever you got it from, they will let you switch it for the Gloss version.

The Golden website is a wonderful resource for artists. It goes into great detail with all sorts of subjects ranging from application procedures for their own products, to support preparation. There is a link to their site in the “Links” section on my right sidebar. —>

Jamie

]]> By: Margaret Bunton http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/2008/09/02/how-i-varnish-oil-and-acrylic-paintings/comment-page-1/#comment-6549 Margaret Bunton Sun, 01 Feb 2009 07:22:52 +0000 http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/?p=1446#comment-6549 Hi Jamie, after reading your article about varnishing I went out and bought Golden Soft Gel to use as an isolation coat but it says on the label "not to be used as an isolation coat" Any idea why? I presume you've had no problems with it or you wouldn't have recommended it. Hi Jamie, after reading your article about varnishing I went out and bought Golden Soft
Gel to use as an isolation coat but it says on the label “not to be used as an isolation coat”
Any idea why? I presume you’ve had no problems with it or you wouldn’t have recommended it.

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