For Artists seeking information about varnishing oil paintings.
How long should an oil painting dry before varnishing?
Six to twelve months? Sounds like a prison sentence, and it is when imposed on a new born
oil painting! But that’s the range of time recommended on most varnish labels for
allowing an oil painting to dry before varnishing. However, faced with deadlines
of competitions, gallery shows, commissions, and heightened by the excitement
of getting that new painting to market, artists often choose to compromise on this
recommendation. We varnish early, or not at all, or maybe apply retouch varnish
as a stopgap, perhaps with some sense of guilt, concern, or confusion regarding
this final step in preparing a painting for longevity. It is amazing that, with all of
the excellent information available about painting, rarely is the topic of when to
varnish even discussed. Such an important topic, yet little is truly established.
To read the full report,
Download it Below.
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©Charles Mauldin 2012
