How to Varnish Your Acrylic Painting (Tutorial)
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Here's a fast and effective method to varnish your piece of art. I've used this method to varnish many paintings and it's proven to be very useful.
I use a lightly, lightly moist sponge to spread out the fluid varnish across the piece. It's about as easy as it gets.
Subscribe and comment below! Would love to hear from you and your experiences. Always looking out for new techniques!
Hi Roy. I did a painting, which was a commission 1.5 x 1m. i was scared of varnishing it cause of the size. Then I watched one if your videos where you used a car sponge. So I plucked up the courage to try it. This was a great success. it was so quick and easy. I can't thank you enough. I used Liquitex high gloss. I have given it 3 coats, it looks great. I have now varnished all my paintings using this method. I did about 30 painting in a few minutes. Thank you again so much.
That is great! So glad to hear it worked out well for you. It is a super quick and effective method to varnish that's for sure. I really like this method!
THANK YOU ROY I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING STREAKS IN MY PAINTINGS. I LUV THE WAY YOU VARNISH IT. I AM CHANGING TO THIS WAY.💥💥💥💥💥
hope it works!
You, Sir, have just given me years of my life back. Varnish days are my very least favourite studio time. All the time I'll get back just in the hours of procrastinating! 😂 Thank you!
it's so much faster! I hope it helps.
Hi Roy. I had a very important commissioned piece that I had used a brush to varnish and it left streaks. My husband researched and found your UA-cam video. I went back over my painting 3 days later with a sponge and it not only got rid of the streaks but toned down the over glossy look. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your wisdom with all of us. You could have kept this to yourself but you didn’t. I have subscribed to your channel. Your work is amazing. My husband said to tell you “Bless You!”
All right! So glad it worked out well for you. Yeah, I went through a LOT of trial and error and messed up paintings until I figured out something that worked for me.
This was the best most straight forward video on varnishing a painting that I have seen in YT. Great work and thank you for keeping it short and so simple. 👏
no problemo, hope it helps out in the future
It's nice to see someone who actually knows what they are talking about. Pre-wetting that sponge is critical.
Pop Art Murals I learn everything the hard way!
Didn't we all. I use a small frame, Medium nap, terry roller to varnish. And I pre-wet that sucker too.
The struggle is real! Thanks for this info. It was a big relief when you said you previously got streaks. It's so easy to think your hand isn't steady enough. Your art is beautiful, too.
Holy Christmas, I know you must get this all the time from this video but it’s outrageous how effective this method is! Just tried it myself and couldn’t believe how well the varnish took to the painting.
I was super intimidated to try it, but I’m amazed at how well it’s worked, you’re a lifesaver; thank you for this video Roy!
glad it helped! I always test on smaller canvases to experiment with first if I'm unsure how something is going to work. Too much drama otherwise!
Dude...Im glad someone finally showed a sponge and varnish is absolutely the best way to Varnish....and it takes 25 seconds...Similar to my artwork as well
hope it helped!
Fantastic. Thx. And that guitar painting is super nice! 🙂
I use a very soft cloth, also making it wet before and no streaks whatsoever. Will try this method too
Do you think that a Microfiber cloth will work?
Thanks for sharing! You mentioned a clear coat before varnish. Clear coat of what product?
The spray I use is Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating 1303
Thanks for the tip about pre-wetting the sponge, that's brilliant!!
thanks for watching! it keeps the sponge from auto-soaking all your varnish as well.
Thank you.,
Just about to have a go at varnishing my first painting - a bit scary- your video is very helpful and encouraging
yeah, my first varnish was a bit of a pooch screw, wish I knew this first!
I love the text painting to use for reference. Thanks Roy.
I hope it helps, I keep it handy!
I have been so afraid to varnish and you just totally removed all that fear for me. Thank you for this video!
Great! hope it works out well for you!
Thanks so much! I love your painting it has my favorite color in it.
This war really helpful, thanks a lot man!
No problem, thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for this information and demonstration. You’ve taken the fear out of varnishing! Great painting too! 🙏👏👍
Thanks! hope it helps out!
I will certainly try this. It makes a lot of sense. I have some spray as well for some pieces.
I have always found varnishing to be intimidating. My favourite old method was to spray it on which does give a great finish, but the fumes are pretty wicked so I have to do it in my garage, which means I can't varnish over the winter because it is too cold. I have tried brushing on the liquid varnish (because it doesn't have the smell and I can do it indoors year round) but it is really hard not to get brush marks. I tried Roy's video method and it is stress (and fume)_ free. This is the method I will be using from now on. I use the Golden varnishes and they work fine with this method.
awesome, so glad it worked out for you!
Awesome! Howdo you clean your sponge please?
hey is the liquid varnish safe to use indoor is the smell strong?
That’s one epic painting 😮
And yeah my first instinct was why not just poor it on lol. 😂
thanks!
Love the guitar painting
SUPER SWEET 👍🎨🖌
Thanks for the demonstration Roy
I was so pleased with a recent painting only to leave behind brush marks after varnishing. I saw your video and tried the sponge with a 3rd coat and it smoothed it out. I'll definitely be using this method from now on! Thanks for the video!
So glad it worked out!
You make vanishing a painting so easy. Thanks!!!
Thanks for the reply and for sharing this process. I did put a second coat. It made the process so much easier while protecting our paintings. As you said I just made sure I checked with good lighting.
Very cool painting. Love the technique. Really speeds up the process.
OMG so much easier. Thank you.
i'm glad it helped!
Just about finish a commission, been delaying this process so I'm so glad I found your channel..Thanks for the smart tip!...:)
Extremely happy to find your video, im crazyyy looking at the strokes of mine, i wish i could fix it with your method thank youuuu ✨🙏🏼
I know how you feel! I have several around here that have those old streaks on them.
Amazing video and it works perfectly
Thank you
Love ot. You painted a guitar! Lovely
Okay......I feel much better after watching this video about varnishing my paint pour!! Thanks!
hope it helps!
@@roylawsart7456 of course i just tried, and it got tacky in one spot. I think it's because not enough varnish when I over the spot or maybe sponge wasn't saturated enough, maybe second coat will be better and fix problem areas. How many coats do you do? Still drying so hopefully this works out?!?!? Cross fingers (nervous face palm........LOL)
Thank you for sharing this video! That is a beautiful painting!!
Thank you so much! Never thought to use a sponge!
You're welcome, I hope it works for you!
I was skeptical about your method but I did a few trials, and am pleasently surprised with the results. The sponge works very well!
glad it worked!
Thank you for this. I used a different technique from a another UA-cam video. He said to use short brush strokes then go over with loner strokes for a second coat. You can still totally see the short strokes after the second layer. next time I'm doing this. It looks great! Thank you.
Thank you!...like your style and method
Thank you Roy for the tip on varnishing. I was terrified of attempting to varnish some work that I have because I didn't want to destroy it. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!!!💯👊👏🙌😄
SMART! Just started with Acrylics and used a brush for my semi-gloss varnish and felt there has to be a better way. I was thinking of foam brushes, but this is genius!
Great Idea, I've been working much larger these days and have had so much difficulty varnishing large canvases. Wish I'd seen this sooner. I'm now trying to make a fix on one of my pieces from a varnish mess. Ahh.
Yeah, I was always worried about varnishing large pieces just because of the streaks. This really makes it fast and smooth.
I was inclined to varnish a painting (for the first time) using a sponge, but every tutorial had brushes. Thanks for showing this paint-beginner that sponges can be used.
Thank you! Best advice ever. And I love your painting btw!
Thank you Roy! I hate using a brush because I get the streaks as well.
Love the painting!
Thanks for watching, I hope it helps!
I'll let you know ;-)
Great video. I stuffed up an important painting with a brush. BTW I love your artwork.
if you re-varnish it, it might clean it up. I've had someone on here say they did that.
Thanks Roy. I am about to gloss varnish my first commission of a large canvas and I was worried sick!
Thanks for posting this video Roy. I was worried about ruining a painting or getting brush strokes when varnishing. After watching your video, I was really impressed and this is the only technique I use to varnish my paintings.
Glad to come across someone else who likes satin varnish. Seems most varnishing videos use gloss.
Your method looks worth a try.
This seems a great system. I find I get mixed results brushing, so will try your method out!
I was using the Liquitex Gloss Varnish on my acrylic pours, pouring it up in a glass and using a 70mm paint brush to coat, always getting to eye level with the painting to look for paint brush strokes, but after seeing this method being used, I’m going to begin doing that instead! 👌🏻
Great, I hope it works out!
Thanks a million... every time I went to varnish the moment of anguish arrived because I couldn't make the brush strokes not visible and with your method they look spectacular... fast, without streaks and without bubbles, I'm very excited. The first painting didn't turn out so well but immediately after practice it's great, thanks for sharing your knowledge. How long can I keep the sponge in a plastic bag, should I wash it after several uses?
Thank you! I’m struggling with brush marks and uneven spray, this is brilliant.
THANK YOU! I've been struggling to find a way to not leave brush marks in varnish. This (finally) worked beautifully! THANK YOU AGAIN!
I feel your pain! Same for me!
Hey I know this video was filmed 5 years ago and more as a tutorial but i wanted to appreciate the painting :)). The colours are really nicely chosen, great job
Thank you very much! Even though it's been up for awhile, I still get comments on this one all the time. Glad you enjoyed!
This is awesome! Thank you so much. I'm very OCD so streaks drive me nuts. This technique will help so much. I have my first acrylic painting that I did with cheap dollar store paint that turned out really well. It is very matt looking, almost chalky and I can't wait to varnish it to get it glossy. Going to do it right now with your technique. I have since purchased professional paint and will use this technique on them as well. Beautiful painting.
Great! Hope it all works out for you, I do it like this all the time. And yeah, I think it's worth it to spring for the better supplies.
@@roylaws406 I just finished the first coat and it looks amazing. Thanks again from Nova Scotia.
Hi, could I ask, did you go straight in with the varnish? You see, I also have a painting that I recently completed and I used fairly cheap paint for this piece, and it's really the only thing stopping me from using this technique. I'm just a little worried that because of the quality of the paint, clouding might occur when using this technique and I really don't want to risk anything because it is quite a large piece. Did you do anything before applying the varnish using this technique?
Omg that painting is GORGEOUS! Nice video…very helpful!
Woo w colour collection is beautiful and music lovers painting dil chu liya yaar tumane bahut hi mast painting hai dil se.
Love the painting
Hi Roy! Thanks for your video! Wondering if you find using matte varnish dulls your paint colors or gives it a milky film? or do the colors look the same as they do without the varnish? I like the look of my raw painting. I want to use a matte varnish but I'm worried it will leave a milky film to it
Roy, thanks for this, I'm new to varnishing and your video makes it easy, not so scary!! Don't think I missed you saying how many coats, would you do at least one more? Thanks!
If I'm lucky, I get it all correct on the first coat. But, sometimes it takes a couple to get everything even.
@@roylawsart7456 Excellent thankyou! 😊👍👍
What kind of sponge do you use? What material? This is extremely helpful!
You said you did a clear coat before varnishing? What did you use to clear coat and why? Thanks
Great idea. The coating is very nice. The painting is quite beautiful. Thank you for sharing. :)
Love it can’t beat experience. 😎😎
Hi! Just wanted to say thanks for the tutorial :)
Thanks for watching!
Thanks Roy! A very huge help!
Thank you. Do you use an isolation coat?
Absolutely gorgeous!
Your painting is gorgeous!
Thank you for showing us how you varnish. I've used the small black sponge that has a wooden handle attached but I've found that I pour alot of varnish down on the canvas in order not to get streaks. I'm gonna try this way to see if I use less varnish.
thank you very much! I hope it works well for you!
Thanks hands down best technique I’ve tried. Thank you so much
Me too! Thanks for watching.
A Gibson Les Paul is a work of art in itself.
thanks!
Hi Roy, so glad to see your tutorial today! I’ll definitely give it a try on my acrylic paintings. One question - after use, can the sponge be washed and cleaned for future use? Thanks for your tips ❤
of course! I've had the same one for quite a long time now.
Great technique! Thanks, so much for sharing this with the world 🌎. Bless you...this will help countless artists like myself. 😃
Hey Nia, so glad you found this technique. I go through a lot of trial and error with a lot of things so I like helping people with shortcuts so they don't have to make the same mistakes I did!
Beautiful painting! And thank you so much for this tutorial! I haven't seen anyone swirl the varnish before. I've seen some artists use a torch to pop air bubbles. Do you have any issues with air bubbles? Do you shake or stir the varnish before using? Thank you so much for sharing your art and your expertise!
Hi Roy Thank you for your video. I have never had the courage to varnish a painting yet but will give it a go after your video. One thing you mentioned is that you use pencil (Am I right in assuming these are the white lines I can see on the guitar?) What 'clear coat' do you use please over the pencil markings to fix? Many Thanks
It's Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic coating, it's to keep the pencil lines from smearing. You should practice on a test canvas first!
Thank you Roy. It really helped out. Did you do more than one coat of varnish and if yes how long did you wait between coats? Much appreciated!
I've gotten to where I can usually get it correct the first time. But for years I've put a couple on there. Usually when it's dry you can put another on there so I'd wait like 30 minutes, even though really it's pretty dry after around 15. If it's very textured, I'll check it pretty often to make sure it's not pooling up anywhere because it'll get opaque if it's too thick in places.
I love that, will surely try this out for my paintings!!! Love your art skills! 👏👌
go for it!
Beautiful work!
How many layers of varnish to you do? Can u please show the dried results after the varnish on the guitar painting?
Great idea, gonna try it. One question tho: what does “clear coat” mean, what product and app method do u use for that coat?
The spray I use is Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating 1303
Do i always have to spray clear coating first before i varnish my painting? Thanks.
Hi Roy, great video thanks, you mention spraying a clear coat on beforehand. Can you give a little more information about that please. What type of clear coat do you use and what is the drying time before varnishing etc. Thank you.
thanks.for.the info. very helpfull.
can i reuse the.sponge?
Great info. So do you only use a big sponge so it doesn't streak? Thank you
Yep, just goes a lot faster using a bigger sponge I find. I'm all about making it as easy as possible!
Just found this video! Great technique! I think this might be a life (and art) saver. But before I give it a go, I was just wondering if that Liquitex Professional Varnish is used full strength right from the manufacturer or if you have it diluted, say 50/50 with something else?
I absolutely LOVE your painting as well as your tutorial and tips! I was wondering how to properly varnish my second painting. This was the second video I watched. I’m thankful I found your method. I just subscribed to your Chanel based off the content of this video. Thanks again!!!
thank you so much! glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you so much for this. I varnished my first painting and I used a sponge brush as another video recommended and it has left horrible stroke marks. Thank you for making me feel like I can save my painting. I was beating myself up thinking I ruined it and therefore couldn’t sell it!
I hope it works out!
Thank you, I will give it a good try as I have a monster frame!
good luck!
Awesome! With the clear coat. Do you use only 1 layer of it? ✌🌿
Yep, just the one spray usually.
@@roylaws5534 thank you 👊🧡🌿
Nice - I use a brush but I can see the brush marks - so this is great
Alexander P Williams glad it worked out!
I'm curious about the clear coat. Have been wondering how to deal with chalk, etc on canvas.
I definitely want to try this! I wonder though - will texture in a painting cause trouble?
OK as a beginner here that was easy and super fast! Just subscribed. However I have one question, I saw in some videos that they mix the varnish with a bit of water first but in yours you didn't. Does this apply to all varnishes?
How long to dry or let the painting set before the finish. And how long to let that set before you can lift and move the painting without varnish running?
HI Roy, loved the knowledge that you shared! One question, I was wondering if this technique applies to other fluid acrylic varnishes such as polycrylic gloss?
What clearcoat do you use prior to varnish?
This works amazingly ! Thank you, def don’t buy a cheap sponge . Question #1 , do you just use one sponge for each piece , or do you wash out the varnish ? I kept mine in a ziplock bag and rinsed -squeezed out the varnish and then re-wet the sponge before using again.
I haven’t found a easier method yet. Thank you ! Any tips on washing or throwing out after each use ? I kept finding small pieces of the sponge “just a heads up “ most of my pieces are very heavy textured and thick layers .
Oh, I've been using the same sponge forever now. I just rinse it out and keep using it over and over again. hard to find one I liked so I'm holding on to it!
Hey Roy you think using this method on a printed banner would work ????
May i ask what clear coat you use for pencil marks?
Thank you Roy.. does it leave circular strokes?
What if you notice you missed a few spots when the vanish drys will it disappear with the second coat