Final varnish

[Jennifer Bogartz]

Thank you for all your responses! Now I'm encouraged to try to varnish a painting. Will Gamsol be okay to clean my oil paintings with?

Claudemir, when you say avoid organic varnishes are you referring to Damar varnish?

Lastly, if acrylic paint can't be used over oil paint, how come acrylic varnish is acceptable?

[Michael Georges]

Gamsol will work just fine for cleaning those paintings.

You will find differing schools of thought about traditional varnishes such as damar and mastic. I personally find them completely acceptable, others will not. That said, I use a synthetic varnish on all my commissioned works as I have gotten the look just right.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Bogartz

Claudemir, when you say avoid organic varnishes are you referring to Damar varnish?

Sorry, I meant "completely organic" like the egg white mixed with salt.

Some guys like Damar, I personally think that it yellows too fast, but other guys haven't experienced the same problem, I think that's due to climate differences, it is very humid here in Brazil.

Hope everything will be okay with your experience now.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Hello there,

If I won't be able to apply the final varnish. I wait as much as I can to apply that before shipping the painting, something like 2 months. I have not had a bad experience so far.
Otherwise, I tell the client where he will find a professional who can apply the final touch.

[Mark Branscum]

Originally Posted by Claudemir Bonfim

Hello there,

If I won't be able to apply the final varnish. I wait as much as I can to apply that before shipping the painting, something like 2 months. I have not had a bad experience so far.
Otherwise, I tell the client where he will find a professional who can apply the final touch.

Thank you ... I have to say you are the first Artist that shared more than just generalities .... this helps and its much appreciated

[Richard Budig]

I have been using GAMVAR lately. It can be applied rather soon after your painting is finished. Soon, as in a week or two. So far, it has worked fine for me. I decided to try it after hearing good reports about being able to use it a couple of week after my paint was touch dry. (I paint rather thin, though.) I paint portraits from all around the U.S. I like to send them on as soon as I can. GAMVAR does that. NO . . . I'm not an employee nor do I own stock.

[Mark Branscum]

Originally Posted by Richard Budig

I have been using GAMVAR lately. It can be applied rather soon after your painting is finished. Soon, as in a week or two. So far, it has worked fine for me. I decided to try it after hearing good reports about being able to use it a couple of week after my paint was touch dry. (I paint rather thin, though.) I paint portraits from all around the U.S. I like to send them on as soon as I can. GAMVAR does that. NO . . . I'm not an employee nor do I own stock.

Im getting Gamvar I came to this conclusion too after a lot of research online but your post gives me confidence I am heading in the right direction. Thank you again ... Mark

[Mike McCarty]

Check out this varnishing video from the makers of Gamvar:

https://www.gamblincolors.com/oil-pa...cture-varnish/

[Richard Budig]

Also, here is a fairly good description of how to use Gamvar from Gamblin's site:

https://www.gamblincolors.com/varnishing-help/

[Mark Branscum]

thank you