Best Way to Varnish a Painting (Oil or Acrylic)

In this video I share my technique for varnishing acrylic and oil paintings. I demonstrate the varnishing process using an acrylic painting as an example, but the same technique can be applied to oil paintings. I have found this is the technique that works best for me, based on trial and error over the past few years. This technique results in an even, smooth coat which will make your painting look rich and complete. Please note that your painting should be fully dry before considering varnishing it (6-12 months drying time for oils and 7 day drying time for acrylics). Between varnish coats, please allow 24 hours.
You can buy the same varnishing products I use on Amazon using the links below! I receive a small commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support this channel (Thank You!).
Liquitex Professional Satin Varnish (for acrylic paintings):
www.amazon.com...
Liquitex Professional Gloss Varnish (for acrylic paintings):
www.amazon.com...
Windsor & Newton Artists' Satin Varnish (for oil paintings):
www.amazon.com...
Painter In You Facebook Group:
/ 690609177760349
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Music attribution: www.bensound.com

[@Gnadab]

This is without a doubt the best tutorial on varnishing on KZbin!

[@PainterInYou]

ChrisVizy Thank you!

[@artchem1]

PainterInYou You have opened my door to watch all of your videos .. irrespective of the time they were posted. Thank you Chis. You truly saved me, today. !! Best always, jan Suberman , Fla

[@msk.filmsahealingworld1723]

Amazing information, Thanks a lot it's save art work. 🙏 👍

[@katecassidy5421]

Perfect timing! I have struggled with varnish techniques for years. This is the answer. Thank you for being there and sharing your struggles and now your solution.

[@KathyBrooksArt]

Best video I've seen on YT on varnishing. Fortunately, I got the satin Liquitex and a large foam brush! Thanks -Update: first coat 100% successful

[@stevethompson8617]

Great idea with the tin and foil. I took it a step further. I use a plastic container with a piece of cardboard either side both meeting in the middle at the bottom. Just used masking tape to keep them in place.The v slot is already formed so it's easy to blend the foil to that shape.. Thanks for the great videos !

[@allankahhughes3400]

This is the best method I have ever used. Just varnished two paintings using your method and it was perfect. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@jrpjazz]

Thanks for this excellent tutorial! I used other varnishing methods on KZbin and my painting looked ruined. I re-varnished using this method and it saved the day, my acrylic painting looks great now!

[@priyankajain884]

Omg u r a saviour. I was so freaking confused with all the tutorials i saw on youtube. This is the best video available on varnishing. So so so relieved after watching it. Thank you sooo much🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@dianedixon7548]

Thankyou so much!!, I finally varnished 2 pics today. So simply explained & minimal varnish waste.!!

[@garygwwalters712]

I did not know you should varnish your paintings. Thanks for the great information. Thank you for your video. Keep up the great work you do.

[@leonormartinez6378]

This was great! Best and most useful video on varnishing on KZbin. Thank you!

[@Silverbirchtree]

Brillante tutorial. I shall be trying this technique. As a beginner i have Watched many videos but didn’t find anything useful until now . Thanks very much

[@josieannbernard638]

Thanks Chris, This is very valuable information for me as a Beginner Beginner. It's so good that you shared your experience since many times people don't always provide the right information on KZbin. Thanks again.

[@Corijaye]

Tried this technique out today and it's the best technique I've ever used! The other ways never worked for me. Thank you so much for sharing :)

[@PainterInYou]

Glad to hear! :) This has worked much better for me vs other tutorials i watched when learning to varnish. So figured I would share!

[@DancingInTheRain361]

Thank you so much for your video! I'm so glad that I watched this before I attempted to varnish my painting. Your video was helpful, thorough, and insightful. Thank you kindly!

[@Fandango541]

Great video! One thing I've learned---always make sure your painting is totally dry. I paint strictly in oil and will let my paintings sit for a full year before varnishing. If you are going to ship your paintings, always elevate them in the shipping box so that absolutely nothing will touch the canvas. I shipped a two year old painting and was told by the purchaser that some of the tissue used in packing had touched the canvas and stuck fast! After two years!! He returned it, I fixed and shipped it back. Big bummer that!

[@hly1226]

I paint mostly in acrylics and watercolors, but have just starting dabbling in oils and I have been told to wait 6 months...but 2 years!? That's kind of mind boggling...

[@PainterInYou]

I am not saying to wait 2 years. Please rewatch the video and you will see.

[@1ofsolitude]

This is the best no mess, no stress way i've found on the good ol KZbin. Thanks for posting this✌

[@bonneebyrne]

Best tutorial on varnishes I have seen yet. Thank you.

[@denisethistlewaitesuitnsne923]

Thank you for taking the anxiety out of this process. I just ordered my Liquitex varnish and can’t wait to add the finishing touch to my artwork!! Great video!

[@CarolynDenison]

Thanks for the video. Love that you shared your experience's with the oil and acrylic's. Your a gem.

[@alexphillips2426]

Brilliant tutorial - has given me the confidence to go ahead and varnish my art

[@michaelhemmingartist]

Great idea. I've never used that technique but it makes sense, Looking forward to giving it a try. Thanks for the video.

[@alexphillips2426]

Brilliant tutorial - given me the confidence I was looking for before I start varnishing my art

[@MurielleEgan]

I have just started to varnish my own paintings and I have found this one very helpful and will definately try this technique...thank you for sharing.

[@nearcanada]

Thanks for this advice! I followed your directions and everything went great! It was very easy and fast to do. It was my first ever attempt at varnishing - and it was a very large canvas (36x48!)- and it came out perfectly on the first try. Thanks so much!

[@kiavooshdevansallare8145]

Very useful and informative Thank you

[@hellyeah408]

I’m so glad I found your tutorial! Awesome, you told me everything I need to know and I have finally made a decision on what varnishes to buy. Thank you.

[@meghanrobinson9070]

Thank you so much! I'm not as afraid to varnish my work, so thank you! I didn't know about the CL and the AP levels and how one is toxic to breath in. I'm about to varnish a few of my oil and acrylic paintings! You've helped me so much, thank you again! Your work is absolutely beautiful as well! ☺️

[@pameladobbins1844]

I will definitely try the foil well. I usually use a plate so this is great. (And thanks for validating that it's ok to brush back & forth with the initial application then smooth after cuz that's how I do it too!)

[@y2kgalaxee]

Thank you so much for this tutorial, it is taking a lot of stress away...❤

[@margaritasilva708]

Beautiful smooth and excellent tutorial!👍

[@janaj.757]

That was super helpful and answered a lot of questions that I had about varnishes in the past! Thank you so much! 👍👍👍

[@cathyhaase1550]

Fabulous technique to varnishing.

[@fahed2544]

This is much better for achieving evenness than trying to make sure every stroke is carrying and applying the same amount of varnish

[@Jennymbaby]

Perfect. Thank you so much. Will certainly do this technique with my paintings…

[@ltlove63]

Beautiful ❤️ Thank you for sharing your technique 👍🏼 Looks great 🌹🙏

[@Isamolle]

Love the Gloss varnish from Winsor & Newton and Amsterdam on an aerosol can for the final varnish. Liquitex probably have something similar. Use a gloss medium as a middle layer between painting and final varnish. Use the Liquitex gloss medium and varnish for glazing while painting. :-) Thanks for the tutorial. You have a real pleasant speaking voice.

[@LuizGuilhermePachecoLittig]

Do you know if varnish for oil colors works well in acrylic painting? I guess he displayed a Winsor and Newton Varnish for oil colors. (Where I'm I am having trouble finding removable varnish for acrylic painting)

[@deejaydiabolic]

Great video! My canvas print came out amazing using this technique. Thank you 🙏

[@deborahrech7429]

Great tutorial! Ready to varnish a painting for the first time and was feeling a bit intimidated. This is helpful. Also loved your beautiful paintings...

[@tamikaw4821]

Great tutorial! Very detailed, will be trying this out. Thank you!

[@DeesBBB]

Very nice tutorial!! Looking forward to doing this on my next painting. Thanks a bunch!!!

[@zosimomandalihan8517]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. God bless

[@eleyandipalma6746]

Thank you, my first brush with varnish was a disaster. I used gloss varnish and a foam roller which left wierd lighter areas and I was left with brush marks from the 2nd coat and much too shiny. Thanks for your explanation, I will try your way next AND use Satin varnish.

[@Myname2663-w2z]

Thank you so much for sharing your technique. I was struggling a bit with varnishing. I think you initial back and forth for even coverage will help.

[@grahamkennedy2778]

Thank you Chris. Your tutorial was very informative and a great to me

[@Mimiw28]

Great video. Thanks for the varnishing tips.

[@tomstclair961]

Artist 101. !! If you've never varnished a painting, then please dont attempt your first time on a masterpiece.. lol lol.. throw together a quick 1 hr acrylic painting and try it put on this one first.. Great tutorial Chris!! Thanks buddy!!

[@mikefitzgerald6897]

But I had to learn on my paintings and so I am limited to masterpieces.

[@margaretmaupin4307]

Great tutorial! Plan to watch more. Thanks for sharing your techniques.

[@PainterInYou]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@juliemills9475]

Thanks, like your technique. Great tutorial 🎨

[@cherinelson8084]

Good advice, and all round good video. Thanks

[@juanmiguel8574]

Terrific tutorial!!! Thank you!!! 👏👏👏🙌🙌🙌

[@marianalinoart]

Nice! First time varnishing done 😎😁

[@larryhazelwood5853]

I always use glosses, flats, and semi gloss to achieve extra effects in my paintings. Great video.

[@1118cristina]

valu information and technique Thank you !

[@ShinyArjunSingh]

wow man, made my life... nice one, subscribed...keep'em comin...

[@TheBrooklynnJean]

Thank you I just bought the satin varnish!!

[@leannklein1725]

Best video I've seen, glad I found yours. Thank you!

[@elizabethverdun4439]

Great video and I gained a lot of knowledge from you!

Great information ...Thank you so much :))x

[@ksh9278]

Awesome tutorial ,loved it

[@ralphklewitz]

Thank you for sharing your experience

[@tonibruce606]

Beautiful and such a helpful video.

[@yodinog5589]

Thank you for the info sir....i hope that varnish is available in our hometown

[@RDnAC]

Love your creative detailed method - you are a genius.

[@PainterInYou]

+RDnAC Thank you! I don't know about "genius", but it works for me! Lol

[@claygirl6133]

Thank you for all the information, tips, and video!!

[@connectionoflivesandinterests]

*I'm a newbie & yes scared to finish it. I really enjoyed this video. I just Subscribed. I totally love the foil basin idea!!! Also, using the foam I feel I'd like better over brushes for finishing my acyrillic paintings. Thank You So Much!!! 😁😁😁*

[@LK-wm7te]

Thank you thank you. Great video

[@elizabethmarchand9194]

This is incredibly helpful

[@Tismesue]

Hugely grateful for this video, thank you!

[@PainterInYou]

Thanks for watching. Glad to be of help!

[@SaminSays]

full of great advice, quality content!

nice stuff

[@annekennedy8127]

This is great...thank you.

[@noblumoon]

Just found this tutorial, I just started painting and wondered about varnishing. Thank you so much!!! What colours did you mix for the beautiful smoky purple tone in the middle of your painting?

[@bushidojbrown]

Super helpful thank you

[@jeanrutka4517]

Thanks for such an in depth video.

[@busybeenature9092]

Very well explained. Thanks 🙏

[@robintait5174]

Thanks so much Chris. This worked for me too

[@EmmaRave]

Super helpful video thanks!!

[@YotaStyle]

Thank you for this helpful information!

[@carmella8594]

Thanks for the tutorial, I was wondering if I should use a sponge brush. I feel like this could be the technique I use, thanks !

[@nancybisogno118]

Thank you! You did not go over a painting with heavy body paste. I have a very large acrylic painting I just finished. It’s my first acrylic painting and my first painting in many years due to illness. In watching other videos on varnishing I am getting mixed solutions. Thank you!

[@PogueSquadron]

My main problem has been bubbling with satin varnish. I'll have to try working it in more, as you do, but I've read that overworking the varnish can lead to air bubbles. I feel like I get such different results every time I try it!

[@eleyandipalma6746]

Yes I got bubbling on my first try by myself, it's horrid, isn't it!

[@stevefal]

The flip-side of the fast re-brushing technique is that it will create permanent clouding in the varnish if done too much, too long, or once the varnish has already begun drying. This is especially so with more matte varnishes. Once a cloudy varnish sets, there's no way to fix it, unless the varnish is soluble/non-permanent.

[@SukhbirDheer]

I love this video. You have explained it very nicely. I have a question. I have one patched coating of glaze on my acrylic painting. Can I do the second layer with Liquitex satin varnish? Thanks!

[@toemme]

I am completely new to this, it looks amazing - thank you! 😊 I love that you say "play around and try all of them". Since the video is ~6 years old - do you still go with this and did you try the mat version yet? All the best 🙇

[@twrecks116]

Great Tip!! Thanks for Sharing!!

[@SimplyMichelleTV]

Took the fear out of what to use and how to do it. I certainly don't want to ruin my artwork. Thanks so much! BTW, how long is drying or curing time?

[@lseshomaru544]

Thank you for making this video. I can tell you about my varnish misadventures and perhaps someone might avoid doing my mistakes. Started recently a number of new projects, trying new things, so am a varnish noob. Have a wood slate that i painted red, in acrylics. Bought 2 cans of different varnish at a local store that has a massive sellout, 70%off... Thought i would use the satin kind, because didn't want it too shiny. Krylon Satin was my 1st try. I sprayed after my paint got dry. It was a horrible disaster. Either i didn't shake the can well, or it was too old or whatever else, but in some places the spray left like a white foamy residue, horrible to look at. it had to go. i scrapped it all, repainted with acrylics, decided to try the glossy spray. It was Winsor and Newton. it was way better but... in my stupidity, i left the thing to dry on the balcony, where all dust from the street and pollen from vegetation went to settle cosily in my freshly varnished slate. Sanded the whole thing again, repainted, sprayed gloss again. Shiny turned out wasn't bad at all, in theory. But the next day, realized it is nowhere from being dry. every time i would tap slightly with my finger, it would leave a huge fingerprint even though i some places it felt hard and sliding. was trying to buffer with nail polishing buffer, because the surface was not perfect. The can didn't say how long i would have to wait. So i found out the hard way, 4 days min is the answer, but in reality more. Am still working on that piece, it drives me nuts.

[@cinderly2]

if you had let the Krylon dry, then wiped off the residue and then sprayed it again, it would have worked...

[@cinderly2]

it all needs to cure.

[@DineenWil]

I'm not sure if this question was asked and answered, do you turn your canvas one time to do the second and any subsequent coatings of varnish? This is a good technique & I'll try it. I've been trying different ways of varnishing. I either dilute wrong or have thick brush strokes, sponge, brush, sprays... I'm going to try your way next. Thanks for putting this video out.

[@waqeeaqeel]

Thank you for a very helpful video! One question though: how long should one wait between coats?

[@lindalester9151]

Thanks very much. This was helpful😊

[@darlenejackson6038]

I have raised textured painted areas and some embellishments. Is the technique that you provided still okay to execute? Thank you for your helpful tutorial.

[@IMArtisanX]

Thank you so very much for your video. Very informative and well done!

[@mollymullin3729]

Very helpful! Thanks👍

[@msbeanfrick]

Thank you. Have done everything wrong and getting bubbles and brush strokes. Will try!

[@Lida44540392]

Thanks. I will try soon.

[@esotericguard3808]

He said wal mart in the painting aisle.. Im over here using ONLY THAT. 50cents a bottle $7 a pack of brushes. $12 canvas .. $250 profit. Lets go

[@DeL-pu3gk]

Nice painting :-)

[@Hedgehogsinthemist123]

That is astonishing as the instructions say not to overbrush. How come in doesn't go foggy? I've just put a coat of gloss varnish on and it was already drying as I was still brushing it on.

[@humbled289]

I have used them all, my preference is matte as even satin is to shiny. Nothing worse when viewing a painting and having to move around so much to get a perfect view with out reflection from any kind of light source. Matte saves the day for me. You get the new fresh paint look from all three varieties but matte takes away the shine and glare.

[@kedikadin-wr9sb]

i totally agreed💯 matte is the best so you don't have to deal with the light while enjoying the painting

[@radhu1986]

Very helpfull vedio... thanks for it... quiet an old vedio I doubt commenting would help or not still would want to give a try... My painting is acrylic but I ve used markers here and there... Can I use varnish over it? Thanks in advance...

[@wingsmok8439]

Thanks for sharing. This is helpful. How many coatings of varnish should there be? How long do I have to wait before the next coating is applied?