Preserve Your Masterpieces: Tips and Techniques for Varnishing Acrylic Paintings

This video will show you how to varnish an acrylic painting, including step-by-step instructions for beginners. We'll cover both brush varnishing and spray varnishing techniques. If you're brush varnishing, you'll need a clean glass jar and a large flat brush, as well as a mask, a well-ventilated area to work in, and an apron/gloves.
Varnish finish refers to how shiny or matte the end result is. Several finishes are available, ranging from matte to extremely shiny, starting with matte, satin, gloss, and high gloss.
What is the best varnish to put over acrylic paint?
Our favorite spray varnish is Winsor & Newton Professional Artists' Aerosols. Find it here: amzn.to/4cy6T5k
Our favorite brush-on varnish is Liquitex Professional Gloss Varnish. Find it here: amzn.to/49c4SJ4
Do I need to seal acrylic paint on canvas?
A painting is considered complete once it has been varnished. Please ensure your paintings are dry and cured before doing this process. Varnish protects your painting for the long term from dusk, fading, and UV rays. If you do not varnish your painting, it may look suitable for the present time but may fade, crack, or dull over time.
Should you varnish an acrylic painting?
Varnishing a painting protects it for years, retaining its colorful brightness and making it easier to clean. With this step, the artist creates a beautiful veneer and a layer of protection for the future.
How do you apply acrylic varnish smoothly?
To spray varnish a painting, take your fully dried and cured painting to a well-ventilated space, such as outdoors, and cover the area with plastic sheeting, a trash bag, or paper. Spray using side-to-side motions at least 12”-18” away from your art. Several light layers of this varnish are better than over-spraying once. Use a light touch while doing this step and repeat light layers once the previous layer has dried.
To brush and varnish a painting, you'll need a clean glass jar, a large dry paintbrush, and a well-ventilated work area. Carefully apply varnish using even side-to-side brush strokes. Be aware of any bubbles or bristles that might get caught in the finish. Remove any imperfections before the varnish dries. Let your newly varnished work dry completely before storing your art. If you store your art before it’s ready, it may stick to surfaces that would cause superficial damage.
Check the varnish label to find out the exact dry time for the product you’re using. We hope you enjoyed learning a few easy ways to varnish your acrylic painting with this video; thanks for watching! Subscribe to this channel for more acrylic painting videos like this.
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• Preserve Your Masterpi...