Varnishing Acrylic Paintings

Varnishing Acrylic Paintings

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There are many reasons why I varnish my acrylic paintings. Here are just a few.

1. It gives the whole painting a unified finish. If you are working with different brands of paint or mixed media in general your painting may have mixed finishes. Giving it a coat of varnish will unify the finish and make it all look the same. No matter what finish you choose: gloss, satin, or matte, it will create one finish that is uniform over the entire painting.
2. It protects your painting. If you are selling your work, you need to offer your customer something that will last. You don’t want to sell work that will fade or be easily damaged. Give your collectors your very best!
3. It looks more professional.  When your work is varnished, it gives it a uniform, professional finish that says….I am complete. It just looks fresh and professional.

Varnishing Acrylic Paintings Demo

In this video below, I demonstrate how I varnish acrylic paintings in my studio. I prefer using Liquitex Satin Varnish and I use a sponge to apply it here in the demo.

Do you varnish your artwork? What finish is your favorite?