I have just started to paint at 75 (after a lifetime of wishing I could). You make it look so easy and your end result so effect you inspire me to keep trying.
This was the first video that I have seen on varnishing that really explains the process as well as the isolation coat. Finally comfortable with trying it now. Thanks😎
Good video. To the point, no silly jokes and time wasting like some instructional videos. I just want to learn techniques, not attend a comedy club. Thank you!
This is not just to protect but to improve the paint in most of cases... I cant wait to do it on my paints... I painted like 10 paints in 2 weeks and every one has their own spirit.. I am having a good time on my life... enjoy painting and I am trying to discipline myself to become a real artist... FInally I am getting something that is coming inside from me, despite I am "stealing" others tips and ideas... look me here, I am learning!!
Thank you Colin . Extremely well explained and very much professional in your approach of teaching. Cheers and thank you for your time to do this video .
Thanks Colin and Opus for posting this....very, very helpful. Have not seen you lately Colin, when I've been in for supplies or attending demos, so nice to see you doing this video, hope you do more.
My heart sank with every liberally prescribed waiting time. I’m so impatient. “One week to dry here” “several hours each coat” … “wait SEVERAL weeks till complete”… in five years my painting will be done 🤦🏻♂️
Thanks a lot for this video. I didn’t use to varnish my paintings back when I was doing more of them, so on this rebirth of mine this is extremely useful.
Thank you for this tutorial! I very much needed it. I almost died inside when you said you should mix some water with the varnish, I didn't do that my first attempt... and I definitely didn't know about the gel medium first... hopefully my paintings will be fine lol. Now I know!
Excellent video😊😊👍👍👍 informative video and nice presentation too!! Thanks for sharing 👍👍😊🥰 Golden acrylics and supporting gel like varnish, thinning gels and gloss liquid all are amazing result will give!!! I love golden acrylic 😊😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Amazing video content that got straight to the information I needed, thank you for the demonstration. The only question I was wondering is What city & State are you guys located?
I don't think an isolation coat is required unless you are using removable varnish and I'm not sure why a removable varnish would be used on an acrylic painting. I've been using non-removable acrylic varnish forever with no I'll effects that I know of. It protects the artwork and the varnish can be cleaned so there would be no need to remove it to clean the painting. What am I missing here? 🤔
@@kittywilhite9583 The isolation coat serves a couple purposes. First it evens out the finish of the painting to eliminate areas which might be more absorbent and which would make your varnish go on unevenly, and secondly it provides a barrier layer between the painting and the varnish, making removal easier and safer. The reason you want a varnish to be removable is because one of the purposes of a varnish is to take all the years of environmental abuse and protect the painting. Smoke, dust, dirt, etc... will over time be absorbed by the varnish, so by using a removable varnish all that grime gets cleaned off with the varnish when it becomes necessary to remove it. The painting stays nice and clean, and a fresh coat of varnish can be applied; but we're talking decades, or even a century or longer before it's usually done.
As a professional educator, I will tell you that you did a wonderful presentation on this topic. It was clear (instructionally & in speaking tone & volume), concise and useful to any who wants/needs to learn how to varnish (esp. for the non-learned artist). Very nice.
Thank you for this valuable information. Question⁉️ If I glossed too early and painting became cloudy in some areas is it ok to re- varnish and will that bring life back into my painting or am I sunk❓🙏🏼🤔👩🏻🎨🎨🦋💚 Thank you in advance for answering my question.
This video was well done. I’ve gone to 6 stores and can’t find the varnish I want. I’m gonna buy some online soon, but I’ve just been using hairspray and I think it looks the same, maybe.
Great video. If a painting has light marking from bubble wrap in the current varnish (over acrylic) would you recommend lightly sanding (with very fine sandpaper) the existing varnish top coat then applying new varnish?
This video was really helpful! I varnished an acrylic painting without doing an isolation coat first. Could I go back over it with an isolation coat, then a new layer of varnish? I'm worried the painting won't last as long now.
Great video - I’m not sure I grasp the isolation coat. Is it basically a coat of diluted gloss? Is one able to go back to Matte or Satin after applying gloss for final finish? Or should one use a dilute of whatever final varnish they intend to use and it’s simply more like two coats?
Yeah, it's a thin layer of gloss acrylic paint with no colour. It seals the painting, even out the finish before varnishing, etc... and, Yes, you can apply matte or satin after. it's best to do gloss first because multiple layers of matte or satin can start getting cloudy.
Really helpful, thanks! Just to see if I got it right: I can put gloss varnish on my painting, and if I don't like the gloss, I can later add a layer of matte varnish to make it matte?
Yup, you got it! I don't recommend the other way around though; always do a gloss layer first and as few layers of matte/satin as possible (unless you are going for a really frosted look).
Great video, very helpful! I just applied the first isolation coat(still not completely dry) and I made the mistake of going back over a very small spot. I can see a brush stroke and it looks a little cloudy. Will that go away once it's completely dry and if not, how can I fix it? By doing a second isolation coat? By re-painting over that spot and then doing a second isolation coat? I'm not sure...
Thank you for this video, I paint acrylic on canvas using mix media, with texture paste, and lots of heavy embroidery fabric. I varnish everything on the canvas except the fabric because I'm worried to ruin the fabric, please advise me on what to do. Thank you
Hmmmmm; tricky one.... I think you're probably going about it correctly, but there's the risk of the fabric absorbing dirt over the years (decades) and becoming hard, or impossible to clean. Two ideas I immediately think of are: a) can you maybe scotchguard (fabric protector) the fabric? This could cause problems, so if I were doing it, I'd make a small super-quick test piece to see if it interferes with paint adhesion, creation, etc... and then really beat it up. Abuse it horribly and see what happens and what it takes to really damage it; see if it can be cleaned, etc... This gives you an idea of what might happen to your work over the years. b) on the test piece, you could seal part of the fabric with gel, varnish it and see what the result is, and if it works for you aesthetically. If it doesn't, then it's ok because that was the purpose of the test piece. Make a note of which area was sealed, so you remember later - kind of like a science experiment; label it and keep it for future reference, too. I know this is rather a late reply, but I hope it helps!
Question: Can/Should I varnish an acrylic canvas painting on which I've used modeling/texture paste? If so, which product and technique would you recommend?
You can, using the same varnishes, you just need to be super careful not to overwork the varnish and make bubbles. Sometimes for super heavily textured pieces a spray varnish is easier. If you check out my personal you tube channel (click on my Avatar) I made another varnishing video of my own in which (about half-way through) I discuss varnishing heavily textured artwork, and show the technique. My video and sound editing isn't as good as our Opus videographer's was, though - : ).
How about glass painting? The colours that are available in the market in bottles for glass paintings. What kind of varnish can be used? Also, since the surface is not smooth and is uneven when it comes to glass painting should sprays be used instead of brush?
I have just started to paint at 75 (after a lifetime of wishing I could). You make it look so easy and your end result so effect you inspire me to keep trying.
Paint your heart out!
Good luck dore
I have just started and I'm in my 60's....and loving it !!!!! Never too old !!!!
All the best
I'm a teenager who also just started to paint and this warms my heart, I hope it's working out for you!
Straight to the point. Well presented. Isolation varnish was worthwhile to learn. Thank you.
This was the first video that I have seen on varnishing that really explains the process as well as the isolation coat. Finally comfortable with trying it now. Thanks😎
Good video. To the point, no silly jokes and time wasting like some instructional videos. I just want to learn techniques, not attend a comedy club. Thank you!
Martha LeDuc 💯 percent agreed
Omg hahaha this comment made me laugh you are the comedian here hahahah 😂🤗👍👍👍
Right 😂
Totally agree!!! So annoying and time wasting. These get down to the nitty gritty
shoulda watch this before I varnished a painting. dang.
Yes, I should have watched this as well..
Is it expensive?
Sameeee hahahahah
Excellent! A true class about varnishing paintings. Thank you.
This is not just to protect but to improve the paint in most of cases... I cant wait to do it on my paints... I painted like 10 paints in 2 weeks and every one has their own spirit.. I am having a good time on my life... enjoy painting and I am trying to discipline myself to become a real artist... FInally I am getting something that is coming inside from me, despite I am "stealing" others tips and ideas... look me here, I am learning!!
Thank you Colin . Extremely well explained and very much professional in your approach of teaching. Cheers and thank you for your time to do this video .
definitely the best varnishing tutorial i've seen so far
Straight to the point. Explained in short time with clarity. Thanks 🙏
Finally a short video without having to skip 5 minutes into to get to the instructions. was told all I needed to know. thank you.
I learned a LOT in just these few minutes. Very glad that I clicked on this tutorial video. Thank you!
An informative, sensible video for me to comprehend the requirements for my first try at painting.
Thanks, I am just getting into painting and heard about varnishing acrylics, this was a great explanation that got straight to the point.
Thanks Colin and Opus for posting this....very, very helpful. Have not seen you lately Colin, when I've been in for supplies or attending demos, so nice to see you doing this video, hope you do more.
Thank you for clear instructions.
Great video need a Straight to the point video when wanting 2 know something fast....loved it"
Great job of explaining the processes and why! Thanks!
Love the matte look!
I also didn't know about isolation coat! Thank you!!
My heart sank with every liberally prescribed waiting time. I’m so impatient. “One week to dry here” “several hours each coat” … “wait SEVERAL weeks till complete”… in five years my painting will be done 🤦🏻♂️
Thank you very much. It was an intelligent and informative tutorial. Very well done!
Glad you enjoyed watching Maryanne!
THANK YOU
Excellent content!
Simple
Clear
Easy to follow
Stunning effect
I've watched this video a couple of times now. Good job.
this is the video I was looking for! Straight to the point and well presented! thank you!!!
Thank you for showing me this for my artworks it's good to know about waiting at least a week to do it 😀
Thank you... I need to know this process... very well explained...
Thank you, that was a really informative and straight to the point viideo
Thanks a lot for this video. I didn’t use to varnish my paintings back when I was doing more of them, so on this rebirth of mine this is extremely useful.
Great video. Love the tip on covering the painting with a box as I have shedding pets
Awesome video. This guys is simply great!
Thank you for this tutorial! I very much needed it. I almost died inside when you said you should mix some water with the varnish, I didn't do that my first attempt... and I definitely didn't know about the gel medium first... hopefully my paintings will be fine lol. Now I know!
Clear, concise and systematic presentation! I’ve found the video super helpful. Thanks.
Excellent video😊😊👍👍👍 informative video and nice presentation too!! Thanks for sharing 👍👍😊🥰
Golden acrylics and supporting gel like varnish, thinning gels and gloss liquid all are amazing result will give!!!
I love golden acrylic 😊😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
This was perfect illustration of the types .. thank you a lot
I love how you got right to it well presented, thanks I have got to do this to mine
Thank you very much, Colin - this was really useful.
I'm thinking about painting my goalie mask and then applying varnish to it. This video was helpful, thanks!
Glad I found your video, very informative and helping! Thank you!
Thank you for excellent instructions. Keep on the good job. 👏🙏
This was perfect. It was exactly the information that I needed.
Thanks Colin!
Very informative and useful thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences
Well explained Sir. Thanks so much for the effective demonstration
excellent video and demo
Thank you for this valuable info !
This was perfect, thanks Colin!! Exactly what I needed, super helpful and right to the point. Now to go varnish…🖌
We're glad to hear our video helped you John! We hope your varnishing goes smoothly and beautifully!
@@opusartsupplieswhat are the name of the cavas boards your using
Brilliant video thank you
Thank you. A very informative and well presented video.
Very helpful and instructional video, thank you.
Nice clear video. Thanks for sharing!
Silly me tryna varnish without using an isolated coat. Dang
lol, yeah you gotta have more product!!
Same i just knew about it from this video
But did it turn out ok? Is it still glossy?
Same! Never even heard of it before. Lol
Is it really necessary?
Thank you so much, you give very useful information!
Excellent instruction! Thank you!
Thank you for providing this tutorial 😊
Great video, thanks for sharing.
Well done, and very helpful video. Thank you!
Thank you for the really useful information!!
Super helpful, thank you!
Great video, Thanks! I was wondering if it'd be OK to just use the gloss medium for protection and skip the varnish?
Amazing video content that got straight to the information I needed, thank you for the demonstration. The only question I was wondering is What city & State are you guys located?
Hi J King Sr., Opus Art Supplies is located across British Columbia, Canada!
Thank you for this video. It was very informative
Isolation coat was news to me...varnishing has just become very fundamental to my work so this was a really useful bit of information. Thank you.
I don't think an isolation coat is required unless you are using removable varnish and I'm not sure why a removable varnish would be used on an acrylic painting. I've been using non-removable acrylic varnish forever with no I'll effects that I know of. It protects the artwork and the varnish can be cleaned so there would be no need to remove it to clean the painting. What am I missing here? 🤔
@@kittywilhite9583 The isolation coat serves a couple purposes. First it evens out the finish of the painting to eliminate areas which might be more absorbent and which would make your varnish go on unevenly, and secondly it provides a barrier layer between the painting and the varnish, making removal easier and safer. The reason you want a varnish to be removable is because one of the purposes of a varnish is to take all the years of environmental abuse and protect the painting. Smoke, dust, dirt, etc... will over time be absorbed by the varnish, so by using a removable varnish all that grime gets cleaned off with the varnish when it becomes necessary to remove it. The painting stays nice and clean, and a fresh coat of varnish can be applied; but we're talking decades, or even a century or longer before it's usually done.
That was a very well described tutorial! Thank you, and now I subscribed! 🙏
Thank you for sharing !!
Un grand merci🌸🇫🇷
This instructional video is perfect. Thanks!
Good info. Thanks!
A very helpful video! Thank you :)
We're glad it helped Melusa. Have fun varnishing!
Thanks for sharing
That was cool. Thanks
Great presentation. Thank you.
Informative video! Thanks
Well presented best video on this subject 🙏🏼
Very helpful
wow man...made my life..
Nice one Subscribed...Keep'em comin....
Great video! Well explained!! I successfully varnished my painting. I used sa gel medium as an isolation layer and then began varnishing.
Thanks for made this video
Thanks man, varnished a large commission, and it turned out perfecto. I usually destroy everything I try to clear coat.
Thanks so much!
As a professional educator, I will tell you that you did a wonderful presentation on this topic. It was clear (instructionally & in speaking tone & volume), concise and useful to any who wants/needs to learn how to varnish (esp. for the non-learned artist). Very nice.
awesome
Thank you for this valuable information. Question⁉️ If I glossed too early and painting became cloudy in some areas is it ok to re- varnish and will that bring life back into my painting or am I sunk❓🙏🏼🤔👩🏻🎨🎨🦋💚 Thank you in advance for answering my question.
Thank you very much!!!
thank you so much for this amazing video
This video was well done. I’ve gone to 6 stores and can’t find the varnish I want. I’m gonna buy some online soon, but I’ve just been using hairspray and I think it looks the same, maybe.
Great video. If a painting has light marking from bubble wrap in the current varnish (over acrylic) would you recommend lightly sanding (with very fine sandpaper) the existing varnish top coat then applying new varnish?
Great 👍
Great video. Thanks man!
Perfect video! Only I accidentally bought white gloss 😂 good thing I watched the video all the way through! Lol
Thank you!
Thanks for the useful information. Well appreciated!
This video was really helpful!
I varnished an acrylic painting without doing an isolation coat first. Could I go back over it with an isolation coat, then a new layer of varnish? I'm worried the painting won't last as long now.
No; nothing should be painted on top of varnish. If you didn't do an isolation coat it's not the end of the world; it's more of a helpful extra step.
Great video - I’m not sure I grasp the isolation coat. Is it basically a coat of diluted gloss? Is one able to go back to Matte or Satin after applying gloss for final finish? Or should one use a dilute of whatever final varnish they intend to use and it’s simply more like two coats?
Yeah, it's a thin layer of gloss acrylic paint with no colour. It seals the painting, even out the finish before varnishing, etc...
and,
Yes, you can apply matte or satin after. it's best to do gloss first because multiple layers of matte or satin can start getting cloudy.
Really helpful, thanks! Just to see if I got it right: I can put gloss varnish on my painting, and if I don't like the gloss, I can later add a layer of matte varnish to make it matte?
Yup, you got it! I don't recommend the other way around though; always do a gloss layer first and as few layers of matte/satin as possible (unless you are going for a really frosted look).
Great video, very helpful! I just applied the first isolation coat(still not completely dry) and I made the mistake of going back over a very small spot. I can see a brush stroke and it looks a little cloudy. Will that go away once it's completely dry and if not, how can I fix it? By doing a second isolation coat? By re-painting over that spot and then doing a second isolation coat? I'm not sure...
Nice sharing
Thank you for this video, I paint acrylic on canvas using mix media, with texture paste, and lots of heavy embroidery fabric. I varnish everything on the canvas except the fabric because I'm worried to ruin the fabric, please advise me on what to do. Thank you
Hmmmmm; tricky one.... I think you're probably going about it correctly, but there's the risk of the fabric absorbing dirt over the years (decades) and becoming hard, or impossible to clean. Two ideas I immediately think of are:
a) can you maybe scotchguard (fabric protector) the fabric? This could cause problems, so if I were doing it, I'd make a small super-quick test piece to see if it interferes with paint adhesion, creation, etc... and then really beat it up. Abuse it horribly and see what happens and what it takes to really damage it; see if it can be cleaned, etc... This gives you an idea of what might happen to your work over the years.
b) on the test piece, you could seal part of the fabric with gel, varnish it and see what the result is, and if it works for you aesthetically. If it doesn't, then it's ok because that was the purpose of the test piece. Make a note of which area was sealed, so you remember later - kind of like a science experiment; label it and keep it for future reference, too.
I know this is rather a late reply, but I hope it helps!
Question: Can/Should I varnish an acrylic canvas painting on which I've used modeling/texture paste? If so, which product and technique would you recommend?
You can, using the same varnishes, you just need to be super careful not to overwork the varnish and make bubbles. Sometimes for super heavily textured pieces a spray varnish is easier. If you check out my personal you tube channel (click on my Avatar) I made another varnishing video of my own in which (about half-way through) I discuss varnishing heavily textured artwork, and show the technique. My video and sound editing isn't as good as our Opus videographer's was, though - : ).
How about glass painting? The colours that are available in the market in bottles for glass paintings. What kind of varnish can be used? Also, since the surface is not smooth and is uneven when it comes to glass painting should sprays be used instead of brush?