Liquin as varnish???

Richard Budig · 05-13-2003, 02:34 PM

I'm still wrestling with the problem of Liquin and varnish. I've done a search of both subjects, here, and did not find a "hard" answer.

I've been using Liquin as a medium, and for a technique called "oiling out," in which you overpaint Liquin on yesterday's work, and then paint into the wet liquin. "Oiling out" with Liquin has the effect of bringing all colors up to full and true saturation, as well as leaving behind a medium that will grab the paint and help it dry.

It occurred to me that if Liquin is okay to use as a medium, it should be okay to use in "oiling out," and as a varnish. Some say it will yellow, but WN says it won't, and if it's okay to use as a medium, why not as a varnish, also?

I'd like to hear thoughts on this from anyone better informed than me.

Thanks

Dick Budig

Michele Rushworth · 05-13-2003, 03:53 PM

One drawback of using Liquin as a varnish is that it cannot be removed for later cleaning of the painting.

I won't use Liquin partly because W/N won't say what's in it, exactly, and partly because I've had some layers completely de-laminate from the layers beneath. I had to sand those areas off the painting and redo them. Not my choice of medium or varnish.

Chris Saper · 05-13-2003, 04:06 PM

Moderator's note: At one time there was a long thread discussing the issues surrounding the use of Liquin. Unfortunately, during an AOL glitch, it was erroneaously deleted several months ago. My apologies to all who participated.

Linda Brandon · 05-13-2003, 06:47 PM

Dear Richard,

There's a discussion about using Liquin as a final varnish in the "Letters" section of the June 2003 issue of American Artist. The consensus seems to be that one should not use the same substance in both the paint medium and the final varnish, since the solvent used to remove the old varnish when the painting needs to be cleaned will also remove the paint itself.

In other words, if you're using Liquin as a medium, you should not also use it as a final varnish, but if you're using a medium other than Liquin, go ahead and try the Liquin. Another letter writer suggested using the medium used in the paint as an isolating layer before the final varnish, meaning that you can use Liquin as a medium, isolating coat AND final varnish. (I guess.)

I started using Liquin to speed things up when I did a lot of plein aire painting. Later, I stopped using it as a medium and used it solely as a final varnish. I have never had a problem with it except that I now find it too "ridgey" for my working methods. Since I've gotten to the bottom of my bottle, though, I'm going to try Gamblin's Gamvar or an acrylic-solution varnish next. UVA protection sounds like a good idea to me.

Liquin is one of those topics that invites passionate debate.

Best regards,
Linda

Michael Georges · 05-13-2003, 06:54 PM

Richard:

The medium I used to use contained Damar - which is removeable. To keep anyone from possibly cleaning it too deep in the future, I used to mix up an isolating varnish of 50/50 Liquin and Rectified Turps and paint it on very thin. I have also done it with Galkyd and turps which I preferred.

I know that there is some concern about alkyds yellowing over time and a thick coat of liquin could be a problem some 50+ years hence if there are indeed any problems with it.

It comes down to a personal choice based on what feels right to you.

Timothy C. Tyler · 05-13-2003, 08:50 PM

A point Michael hints at is that the solvents (restorers use to strip varnish) will remove many mediums and varnishes. The trick is to get the work very, dry before the final varnish is put on, thus this last layer is separate from the under layers and so (the final varnish only) will hopefully be removed without the other layers being attacked. Art books are unclear about this, aren't they?