Varnish drying time.

[Lani Powell]

Thanks Michael (Mr. Georges?),

I had read other posts by you on the subject of varnish and I noted that you had found Damar to yellow and that you had recommended Gamvar. Went today to the local art supply house and they don't carry it. They recommended, and I purchased, Winsor & Newton Artists' Gloss Varnish as I like a glossy finish. Do you know if that is the Winsor & Newton equivalent to Gamvar, and if so, do you think it will dry as quickly, and can therefore be framed as quickly???

If I'd gotten an MFA, would I know this stuff??

[Michael Georges]

Hey Lani:

I don't know this for absolute sure, but I believe the W&N varnish is also a synthetic, like the Gamvar. The benefit that the synthetics give you is that they are easier to remove down the road, and are supposed to not yellow as much over time. Time will tell on that claim as they are not yet old enough to prove the claim in anything other than lab testing.

I find that I don't like the high gloss that they impart, so I cut mine with beeswax to knock it down a bit. As you like the gloss, it should work nicely for you.

On your last question, it would depend on where you got your MFA....

Michael