What a relief to learn that more people than I have this problem with retouch varnish that will not dry. For some reason, the first layers seem to dry much more slowly than the last ones on the same painting. The last layers will generally dry in a week, while the first layers might take several months. But next time, I will try the advice to heat up the room. In order to avoid dust I often leave the paintings to dry in a unheated room that is not being used. That might just be the problem!
Every now and then I paint the next layer even though the retouch varnish is not quite dry yet, and after a while it is hard to tell wether it is the paint or the varnish that is not drying. But I do believe the varnish is to blame, really.
Not long ago I made the mistake of applying the next layer of retouch varnish before the last layer of paint was quite dry. Disaster! All the turp in the retouch varnish made the last layer of paint dissolve into some kind of mist-looking mess. Thank heavens the client was a sweet man, full of confidence that I would sort it all out during the next painting session...
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