How to Varnish a Watercolour Without Glass

[@c.2538]

* Dorland’s Wax OR Gamblin’s Wax to protect the painting surface
* Stevenson Acrylic Gloss Gel with impasto brush to affix

[@jenthang]

This was so helpful, thank you! I'm a watercolor artist and I've been desperately looking for a way to varnish my paintings without using those horrible toxic aerosol sprays.

[@natlisan]

This was so... helpful!!! as a watercolour/mixedmedia artist my framing options where limited to always matting and glass. Thank you for your mounting ideas! It takes a very traditional medium into a new age. It also looks AMAZING!!!

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

+Nathan Dixon I am so glad you see new potential for your art. Do you have a good supplier for Birch Panels in your area?

[@natlisan]

I'm lucky! I have a few!!!

[@shirleyschapler8055]

Nathan Dixon ii

[@EnolaElorie]

Dear Kim...that was an awesome piece of advice and I just wanted to say that you have a radiant personality!!

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

+EnolaElorie Oh thank you! More is coming!

[@phyllis3973]

This was great- wonderful presentation. One question does this prevent uv rays?

[@Donna_73]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
New to watercolor, this video came in divine timing! 💕

[@Anikanoteven]

I have always been so disappointed with the glare glass framing makes. Even with the costly non-glare glass. This is a wonderful way to showcase a revolving watercolor works.

[@samuelbroad11]

this is excellent advice, well presented. I'm a picture framer and will tell my regular exhibiting watercolourists about this video.

[@alleynanci]

I was glad to find this option for framing. I am new at watercoloring but have been framing my work on a stretched canvas with mod podge. Been a good option for me but will try this method as well.

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

Amazing ideas for protecting your painting and also the framing. Thanks so much. Blessings and take care. ❤❤❤

[@cdorothy444]

For long, I struggled with my watercolor PAINTINGS growing mould, until I found cold wax medium. LOVE. 100% recommend this vid. I first learnt about cold wax here

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

Oh thank you! It means so much to us ti heat from you. Yea! the tips we share really do help others!!!!

[@alandickson8168]

Exactly what I was needing to know and so well presented! Thanks a bunch!!

[@Cre-Art]

Excellent video. I normally work in gouache and the same principals apply to varnishing. I'm not familiar with the other brand but have been using Dorland's wax successfully, and don't find that it has any odor. The tips you gave for mounting and framing were exactly what I needed. I'll be coming back to this video when I'm at that stage. Thank you very much. :)

[@vincentcasados146]

kim, amazing idea! As a Watercolor beginner I have a lot of practice pieces that get better and better. n
Now I can protect the and mount them for give aways to family and friends. (Glass is very heavy and dangerous for my heart medication which thins my blood). Perfect with my learned Matting ability. Wonderful narration !

[@TheJoan48]

Thank you, thank you. I'm self taught and know very little about products, protecting my work or framing. I sincerely appreciate your knowledge and how well you share it. I've learned so much in this short video. I'm off to check out your channel!

[@las174]

Thank you so much! I really never liked having glass, now I don't need to, thanks to your video!

[@BarBaraWhorleyCrawfordESS]

Thank you. ❤love how you did this.

[@roren_san]

Thank you for this!! I'm a beginner painter who started with acrylic on canvas... when I found out you can't really use watercolor on canvas, I panicked lol. Canvases are so much easier to hang.

[@elizabetharmstrong252]

BRILLIANT! Thankyou so very much! I'm off to buy both and see which I prefer. Your presentation was lovely, informative and fun and to the point.

[@lovedayfunckart3263]

This may be the most helpful video I've found about protecting and mounting watercolor. Thank you!

[@RogerRFontaine]

thanks for the great useful video on mounting my watercolours without using glass. I've been wanting this knowledge and didn't know where to find it easily.

[@tonihulick1886]

Excellent! Thank you!!

[@jenfleming9412]

A very good demonstration thank you. Yes I use a similar method but will try the wax when I can buy it. Love your work.

[@melbendigo]

Very instructional, thanks! I've read that it dries only to the hardness of a beeswax candle, which is enough to seal the watercolor, but should still be protected from scratching or scuffing. It's funny, but the can that I have doesn't list the alkyd resin, only wax and OMS, even though product descriptions mention the alkyd resin. Oh well... I guess it's in there!

[@sharonelizabeth4248]

Great video Kim. I'm going to wax up some paintings this weekend. 😁 I noticed that you said that this medium was also good for encaustics. I work in encaustics and because both Dorland and Gamblin wax pastes have mineral spirits (petroleum distillate) in them they should never be used with a heat source of any kind. They are highly flammable.

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

+Sharon Elizabeth You are correct but you can paint on top of an encaustic with the cold waxed if you wish. Note: Gambling Wax is much less volatile than Dorland's.

[@tanjajons92]

You just have this happy contagious smile, and beautiful eyes. I came here for the info, which I am grateful for, and am leaving here with a contagious smile too 😊

[@margarethdemery488]

Hi Kim... you have so resolved my issues on how to preserve “Watercolor “ Art... this was so informative and came at a good time ! Thank you for your tutorials...

[@mileyhuang9135]

I love this video. Direct and useful helps me a lot thank you.

[@yuanitaklatt4854]

so helpful!! thank you for this tutorial KIM

[@tectec9125]

Haven't frame watercolor paintings for worrying on if it be difficult. Thank you for video ! Will give it a try

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

This is a great option: affordable and easy to do. Perfect for markets....if we ever have markets again. ...

[@tectec9125]

@@ThePaintSpotEdmonton at least the smaller cities should be okay, with having markets 😊

[@YuvakTuladhar]

Thanks for sharing the technique!

[@thomaseaton4077]

Exceptional video presentation!

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

Thank you! What other topics/questions would you like to see us cover?

[@thomaseaton4077]

@@ThePaintSpotEdmonton I cannot find the wax here in Poland. What might be the most common and available product to protect watercolors on paper?

[@TheSeductiveDaisy]

Genial!!! Thank you for sharing these tips!

[@jacruick]

Thank you for this tutorial... Can you please list the exact products you used in the video description? Thank you!

[@jujubee7351]

I’d like to know also , she did a great job

[@fayewestillustration]

Thank you so much! This waa just what I have been looking for!

[@morna45]

You are an angel for sharing this.

[@KayLodahl1]

I am really impressed and inspired by this. Thanks so much!!

[@susandavenport8909]

Excellent advise, presentation and easy to do!!! This is a win-win!! Thank you so much💖

[@marciagklarosk5161]

Excellent information.. Thank you so much!

[@misskay2150]

Wow thank you this tutorial helps me getting my art work in another level!

[@catch33223322]

This was very informative. I knew there had to be a way. Thank you so much.

[@halfmoon03]

You explain it very well! Thank you!

[@victoriazartz2956]

Amazing turtorial! Thank you for your help!

[@debrabartman6749]

Thank you for making this video. It is very helpful.

[@V3mpzV]

The fear in my heart when you first put the wax on the piece 😭

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

Hahahah. I know what you mean.

[@grandma.p]

Thanks so much for this video. I make my own Christmas cards and gift tags every year and "laminate" them in packing tape, which leaves a line or two. I have been looking for a product like Gamelin but had no idea what to look for or where. This year I wanted to make the envelopes, too. I'm going to try this product when I get started.

[@maldoori238]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience and inspiring skills. I really enjoyed watching the video. Very informative.

[@jujubee7351]

Good job! Thanks for sharing

[@toequantumspace]

Thank you! It looks so great and the process is really easy.

[@g.k.g.k.6417]

Thank you very much. Will the wax-resin coating suffer in hot weather conditions...? Where I live the summer is long and extreme.

[@mysticalsister]

So much great information! Thanks!

[@mariaholvoegouras936]

Thank you so much for a great demo!!!!!

[@mapadiy9712]

Great video! That part about the weights lol

[@Life_of_TUSH]

Thank you this is helpful, straight to the point and informational. Other jibber jabbish and just talk way too much!

[@bonniegarson80]

Thank you👍

[@zenigub]

Thank you for sharing this!!!

[@seamus9305]

Thanks for the tips. I always wondered if there was a way.

[@camillabluth1494]

So incredibly helpful!!!

[@amopainting8598]

That was soooo helpful thank you

[@LS-yp5yj]

Hello. This is a great video. I just finished a watercolor that needs to be shipped across the US. I am going to use cold wax as a varnish. My questions are: 1) do you use any other brands of cold wax? 2) What are the pro' & con's of cold wax versus a liquid varnish. 3) If using a liquid varnish, what is the best cost savings method. 4) Do you have other great uses for the cold wax - any videos? 5) what else can you use the Stevenson's acrylic gel for? Smiles - thank you for answering my questions. I sure found this video to be of great value! LAS

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

1) Dorland's cold wax may also be used but always test on a sample of your work. 2). Liquids require brushing which will usually cause smudging of the watercolour because it is re-soluble. 3) Spray is easiest, not cheap. 4). Cold Wax can be used to thicken artist oil paints and to create impasto thick brush strokes. You can add metallic powders to wax and great your own 'Rub-n-Buff' metallic paint for picture frame touch-ups. Dorlands Wax is also used for furniture finishing. There is a long list of uses, some pretty experimental. You are right we should to a video. 5).I bet I can come up with 25 used for Acrylic gel! Another video. If you paint in acrylics, then it thickens and extends paint. It creates a thicker paint to hold brush strokes. It can add transparency to the colour. Use gel as modge-podge or any collage glue. Look up 'Acrylic Gel Transfer' tah dah!

[@ethanteo3748]

poor me smudged my favourite watecolour painting with a liquid varnish because I couldn't find wax here

[@maryparker8275]

LOVED THIS!!! THANK YOU!!

[@ChynaRose]

This video is amazing thank you so much

[@marthiescholer4565]

I so much like this. THANKS

[@drummergirl9481]

Super helpful...thank you!

[@jude1515]

Thank you and I will check out your website.

[@mamtaakkenapalli6805]

Thy wsss sooo helpful ..thnqqq so much for the video ❤️❤️

[@SusanRoseArt]

I loved this video! Thanks so much for making it, it was so informative. :)

[@Airbrush208]

Hi Kim,Thanks for the video,This hopefully will be a game changer for Me,I just set my first small water color up for drying time, I'm going to give it 12 hours just to be sure,I have a couple questions,over the long term How would you rate doing Our watercolors this way ,Customer response,satisfaction etc,I;m also an Airbrush Artist and intend to offer my watercolor as well,I already have some paintings sold and getting good responses on some finished paintings,and I gave them a disclaimer on the waxing and your process opposed to framing and glass prior to the purchase,,I'm waiting on responses from two buyers as we speak,Once again,this process has more pluses that negatives opposed to frames and the ridiculous expenses it incurs,I want and Love to the watercolors hopefully I can get a Niche' doing them this way,Thanks Again.

[@casadonnelly2498]

Thank you! you are awesome!

[@teresabgraham]

Love this!

[@clairebourbonniere6937]

I read the wax will harden similar to a Beeswax candle. But what about the dust that will stick to it in time if it is not covered with glass ?

[@melanieheywood1866]

thanks this is fantastic!

[@merlyndamirasoldayto3180]

Awesome!!!

[@katherinei2494]

I'm new to watercolor, and have just started out with a set of Kuretake Gansai Tambi paints. But, I've learned that they may not be the most lightfast. I plan on using these paints while I get my footing with the medium. Are there any spray varnishes that would work for protecting the watercolor pieces from UV light? I've seen Krylon has a UV Archival varnish spray, but am unsure whether that would work with watercolors. What would you recommend? Thanks in advance! :)

[@danielss77939]

Same doubt. Have you found information on this?

[@asmasiddiqui3277]

Very helpful thanks for sharing :)

[@margarethdemery488]

Love it!!!

[@dianehansma1725]

So it's not a varnish...it's a cold wax coating! Good idea!

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

We consider the coating a varnish because it protects the watercolour from smudging and water damage; unifies the surface sheen level, and helps with future cleaning of the art.
Some archivists do not like that it is not reversible.

[@jeanettecook1088]

Fascinating! At last, a way to do this without glass! Please tell me where you got the birch boxes... new sub! Just discovered you!! 👏👏💗👏👏👏

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

We stock them!! paintspot.ca/?s=Birch&post_type=product&dgwt_wcas=1

[@jenniferwood8944]

Thank you!

[@connierodriguezartandsoulm2728]

How do you attach that cradled board to the back of the picture frame? Thank you...

[@Preethipoetrysong]

Thankyou very helpful

[@VBFAV]

How long does it take for it to dry? What else could you be used instead of acrylic gel or an acrylic product?

[@beckymendoza8894]

This is absolutely awesome! Thank you thank you for sharing 👀I’m your new subscriber 🤗

[@Znobishtucon]

How come I have never heard of using Gamblin this way before?? Thank you!

[@ikerobo]

Silent-Active can it be use on canvas (Gambling)?

[@Harphoney]

How do you dust a picture that’s finished this way ? Does the wax and varnish protect it from fading in the sun or finger marks if someone touched it. ❤

[@denisegrossman3840]

Thank you for a very informative video! Could I use this technique with pastels? Could you tell me where could I purchase both frames?
Thank you

[@deborahtaylor7902]

hi..this was so helpful! I saw another artist use varnish spray first on the painting before the wax..is the needed?

[@aryalynx]

Really helpful!

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

+aryalynx thank you!

[@IAm-zy5tw]

you are a genius.

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

I Am ;)

[@steviechun8647]

Do you worry about the colors fading? the point of framing is to use UV glass to protect the artwork from sun and light.

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

UV glass offers a bit of protection. It is best to use lightfast colours to start with.

[@carlic8958]

Instead of using the gel to glue the work to the panel can you use mod podge or Elmer’s glue-all?

[@udayanipathapati422]

Wow, this is very useful information .. thanks for sharing!! Can we use mod podge/other glue instead of the gel medium to glue the watercolor paper on the board? Please let me know... TIA :)

[@paulalittle2495]

I would also go back and rub small ammount of the wax on my freshly cut edges after mounting

[@pamelalynn5955]

How would you all a wire hangar to the back?

[@phyllis3973]

This was great! One question is this uv protective?

[@christineamstutz420]

What a great idea. I have a question, though: Would this method be considered „archival quality“? I absolutely love the idea and I do know that encaustic paintings can be conserved for ever. So, do I conclude that the cold wax has the same end-effect? Thanks for answering.

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

Christine Amstutz The Wax will not yellow. It effectively waterproofs and protects the paper. Dust can be polished away. Wax can be reapplied. I trust this simple process for works sold at markets. Some museum art conservators will argue the wax cannot be removed without damaging the Watercolour surface. Another option is the Acrylic Gel and MSA Varnish method found here at this link paintspot.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Watercolour%20How%20to%20Varnish.pdf

[@christineamstutz420]

The Paint Spot Thank you so much for your answer with links. It is very helpful and clarifies what crossed my mind! Have a wonderful day.

[@nauci]

Gamblin cold wax can be used as a matte varnish for oil paintings, so I assume it's pretty archival.

[@pamelalynn5955]

Oops, how would you add a wire hangar to the back?

[@ClaytonPeak]

For gluing the paper to the birch, which works better: heavy gel or regular gel medium?

[@AntonioMazzolaWatercolors]

I have used this method with great success. I usually stain my boards frame but I liked the idea of painting it. What kind of paint did you use? Watercolor,? acrylic?

[@valeriegarner9988]

Antonio Mazzola Watercolors o

[@phyllis3973]

Do you need to prime the wood first?

[@georgiacorey954]

Awesome. Do u think the wax would work on handkerchief canvas done with water soluble mediums like pen, pencil & acrylic paint?