\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Home>Color> Conservation> Varnish> Watercolors > Aesthetics of Varnishing Transparent Watercolor: Creating the Least Change, For artists who push the boundaries of traditional watercolor, work in sizes large enough that framing is not practical, or just dislike the barrier created by glass, varnish is a valuable option for protecting their paintings.1. Many painters just apply the paint directly to the paper without doing anything beforehand. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. As our test shows, however, every additional layer over the painting’s surface increased the possibility of aesthetic change. Brecht: I would like to mount canvas on a wooden... Jerry: The article was very helpful, but I love... Greg Watson: Hi Scott, Yes, most types of light seem... Greg Watson: Hi Linda, Yes, the iridescent and interf... Greg Watson: Hi Joshua, We have tested Gesso onto ACM... Hello Irene, Archival MSA Varnish Matte applied over Archival Varnish Gloss without an isolation coat won the “Least Aesthetic Change” accolade. * See our, GOLDEN Archival MSA Varnish Over Transparent Watercolor on Paper, The Aesthetics of Varnishing Transparent Watercolor, Application Information Sheet: Varnishing Watercolors with GOLDEN Products, Golden Artist Colors, Resource Guide: Varnishing, Varnishing Mixed Media Paintings | Just Paint. Mixed media (watercolour, archival acrylic varnish) 17" x 27.75" x 1.75" Oil on canvas. This combination allowed us to build a broader understanding of the aesthetic changes created when a watercolor is varnished. After years of using mats and glass to frame my watercolor paintings, I've found a way that's easier, less expensive, and produces better results! Second, once the varnish was dry, an isolation coat of Soft Gel Gloss diluted 2 parts Gel to 1 part water was brush applied to three of the four varnish test areas. We selected Ultramarine Blue as a visual example of this test (Image 1) since it presented the most change even when coated by the winning varnish. 3 In this article, we discussed Archival Varnish Matte without an isolation coat since it came the closest to the original look of the watercolor on paper. Formulated with 100% acrylic resins, it produces a flexible, clear film to protect against environmental concerns such as ultraviolet light, dirt and moisture. Archival varnish-isolation coat- archival varnish, archival varnish-isolation coat-MSA/ polymer varnish. An isolation coat is especially important for brush application of MSA over an absorbent surface such as paper. Warm Regards, Cathy. Without a barrier, the solvent-based MSA sinks directly through the Archival MSA Varnish and into the paper. Krylon UV Archival Varnish offers the highest UV protection available in a protective coating. Due to this difference in interpretation, plus the impact different colors, wash dilutions, and papers might have on the results, we would recommend that artists conduct their own tests before varnishing a watercolor painting. Our local Watercolor Society does have an alternative framing technique. Sea-ing Fine Art by artist Ray Massini - Description: Watercolor, India ink on cold pressed watercolor paper mounted on board. Varnishes are applied over dry paint films and have several purposes. The MSA was diluted 3:1 varnish to MSA Solvent and the Polymer Varnish was diluted 4:1 varnish to distilled water. She works primarily en plein air on the streets of Rome, and also travels for private international collectors on commission. Check out our archival varnish selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. I am not a fan of spray varnishes, but if you like using them Golden Archival Spray Varnish can be used for this first coat too (because it is suitable for varnishing watercolor paintings.) These varnished examples would provide a more accurate example upon which to base a decision about whether to varnish a watercolor painting. Varnishing transparent watercolor permanently changes the painting while adding a protective surface that allows the artwork to be displayed without glass, much like an oil or acrylic painting might be.3 In this article, we discussed Archival Varnish Matte without an isolation coat since it came the closest to the original look of the watercolor on paper. We believe it would be best for an artist to create tests by varnishing sacrificial painted surfaces created with the paints, techniques, and papers used in the artist’s own watercolor paintings. The portrait will be painted directly on professional watercolor clayboard, cradled on 1.5" deep unfinished wood, and a surface protected with a satin archival varnish. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. There’s no right or wrong choice, so choose the finish based on what you think will look best! The runner-up to the combination causing the “Least Aesthetic Change” was structurally different through the use of an isolation coat between the two types of Archival Varnish. Method 2 We have not tested Archival Varnish on Yupo, however since Archival Varnish is also an acrylic, we suspect there might not be permanent adhesion. Please also keep in mind that the addition of acrylic varnish to a transparent watercolor might cause the artwork to be categorized as mixed media by some watercolor societies. Sealed with archival varnish and … With all of that said, varnishing your watercolor painting is a unique way to give it an elegant, beautiful finish that will protect your art for decades to come. Don’t move the painting or take away the paper or cardboard underneath. Testing can be fun, and we encourage you to give varnishing a try! Painted with Watercolor and gouache on archival, hot press watercolor paper. Lighting and point of view influenced how easy it was to see these changes. An artist should balance the potential for varnish replacement against the alterations an isolation coat might bring. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. % of people told us that this article helped them. You don’t need to push down super hard to attach the painting. 3 Golden Artist Colors, Application Information Sheet: Varnishing Watercolors with GOLDEN Products, accessed October 4, 2017 and Golden Artist Colors, Resource Guide: Varnishing, accessed October 4, 2017, Understanding the Techniques of Pouring Acrylics, Defining Warm and Cool Colors: It’s All Relative, Oiling Out and the Cause of Dead Spots in Oil Paintings, Painting with Oils on Non-Porous Substrates, The Subtle Differences of Williamsburg Whites. Varnishing transparent watercolor permanently changes the painting while adding a protective surface that allows the artwork to be displayed without glass, much like an oil or acrylic painting might be. The third test area with an isolation coat was sprayed with three layers of Archival MSA Varnish. This is an entirely new way to protect and display your watercolour paintings which is very exciting for such a classic and traditional medium. Uncoated “control” areas of paint and paper remained between each varnish test to allow for more accurate assessment of change. 48" x 36" (Commisioned) Dr Eddy Campbell. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws.