Final varnish

[Marcus Lim]

Hi,
I'd like to add that timing is also an important factor to varnishing a painting. It's a definite no-no if you put a final varnish when the painting is touch-try, or recently done. This is because while we think the painting is dry on the outside, the actual fact is the painting is still 'growing' inside the painting. Putting a final varnish too early, results in serious cracking problems for the painting - think Bruce Banner ripping his clothes off if when turning into a hulk...

So often it's recommended to varnish only at least 6 months' after the painting's done - more than 6 months for thicker, impasto-ed paintings.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Marcus is right. Now I use a retouch varnish when my paintings are finished. The final varnish is applied only after 6 months or later.

[Mark Branscum]

Originally Posted by Claudemir Bonfim

Marcus is right. Now I use a retouch varnish when my paintings are finished. The final varnish is applied only after 6 months or later.

Do you sell your paintings with the retouch varnish on them? If so, then what do you communicate to your clients about the need for a final varnish in the coming months?

As an Artist I find this subject to be most elusive it seems so anyway .... there are tutorials and or articles on every step of the life of a painting from start to finish. But what happens when its finished ..... I mean if its a portrait painting ... your client is going to want delivery of the painting sooner than later not leaving time for a final varnish .... so how do you all deal with that?

Mark