How to protect your watercolor paintings TIPS

[@mariamorjane]

Hi Friends ☺️🌹For some reason I can't find SAX TRUE FLOW Varnish on amazon anymore but here's a link to a different store: www.schoolspecialty.com/sax-waterproof-watercolor-varnish-402420

[@crystalmahurin6821]

I had discovered Dorland's wax medium several months ago, after it dries for 24 hours you should Buff it with a soft cloth and that brings out a little bit of a sheen and makes it so it's not too Matte or cloudy

[@artbyjenfin]

FINALLY!! Really need this video. My baby cousin just spilled his food on my watercolor paintings 😭😭

[@mariamorjane]

oh no.... but glad this video was helpful!🌸

[@barbaraness4507]

Very informative! Thanks so much for sharing the details of how to seal water colored paintings.

[@mariamorjane]

Thank you Barbara🙋🏻‍♀️💐

[@daianachemodanova498]

Какие шикарные работы. Обожаю Ваше творчество !

[@codsamanta]

Wow, I was thinking of getting a varnish for my paintings only a few days ago and this video had perfect timing. I was about to get a spray varnish that's supposedly good for watercolor, guache and mixed media. I guess there's no way to tell which one will be the best unless I try out some of them, but your video reminded me that, when it comes to art, there's no harm in trying.

[@mariamorjane]

😀🌹🌸Glad I could help!

[@TaraSueSalusso]

Really great video. I appreciate the recommendations. I’ve used Dorlands wax myself and I have been very happy with it. Like you said the jar is small and goes fast but it’s still worth it. I especially wanted to comment about your artwork and what an accomplished artist you are. Thank you for sharing

[@dianeo]

This was so helpful! Thanks for the info and demonstration. I purchased the 16 ounce jar of Dorland's which saved a lot of money per ounce.

[@mariamorjane]

🌸😃☺️Glad it was helpful! I also bought the larger jar, much better price!

[@stevenpowerssmp]

Thanks for the tip, Maria. Love the paintings as well.

[@mariamorjane]

☺️You are so welcome!

[@stevenpowerssmp]

@@mariamorjane Have you ever used fixative [spray], if so what did you think?

[@autumn3758]

🎨Thank you for sharing this tips they really improved my paintings skills 🎨

[@daly7382]

I know Maria Raczynska is so good!

[@mariamorjane]

☺️🌹My pleasure 😊

[@vickigower8125]

Thanks for the tips Maria. A long time ago I used Gamblins Cold Wax Medium on quite a few small paintings I had done. I noticed on a couple of them I had some yellowing. I thought perhaps it was the wax, but now I am wondering if it was just the fact that most likely at that time I was using cheaper paints and somehow they reacted to an ingredient in the wax. The places that had yellowing were both where I had used the color blue in my sky. To be on the safe side I'm going to try the Dorland's in the future because I do like how the wax seems to bring out the colors more in my paintings. I have as of late been using the Golden Matte Archival Varnish Spray without any issues. Just love your work!

[@beedee4427]

I think the gloss medium is fabulous for paintings of seascapes and water in general. It gives the painting that extra shimmer. Am buying Dorlands this week to give it a go. Thanks for the video, v helpful.

[@arlenemurphy804]

Thank you Maria. Just purchased the wax to use with DS watercolor ground. Always love your work❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@strawbrryfld1]

Thank you for sharing these tips . Very useful !!! 🤗

[@mariamorjane]

🌹☺️🌸Glad it was helpful!

[@LanaGoesArt]

Hi! So far I have used the Wax Medium to varnish my vatercolours, but I love the look of the liquid varnish too, but was always afraid to buy it, because I thought it would maybe smear the watercolours. But now I want to try it too! Spray fixative works well too btw! And it doesn't smear the painting too - there are matte versions of the spray one too. Thank you so much for this video! I love to learn new things about the supplies and this helps a lot. :)

[@weather120widget8]

Great tips. Thanks for sharing

[@nanschifris8734]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I really needed this information as I’ve been researching the options for coatings. 🥳

[@mariamorjane]

🌸😃🌹Glad it was helpful!

[@krisse33]

Thank you so much Maria! This was the most important video for me. 😍❤ Yours, Krisuuli

[@robincooper9323]

Great tutorial Maria! Thank you for sharing this.

[@mariamorjane]

Your so welcome Robin 🌹🌹☺️

[@TheBeverleyann]

May i add another gracious Thank you . Great information and tips . You are a Gem !

[@mariamorjane]

🌹🌸😃You are so welcome!

[@zulkeflimohamad4164]

Thanks a lot…. This tutorial is very useful. Appreciate it.. 👍👍😊

[@mariamorjane]

🤗You are welcome!

[@olgahein4384]

Thank you for sharing this process. It was particularly interesting for me, cause I have always used the same product for my watercolor, gouache and ink stuff: A varnishing spray for watercolors by Schmincke. They have them in glossy, mat and 'silk mat', which gives a very decent shine, it's somewhere in between (they have those 3 options for all their varnishes, no matter if spray or paintable and for all their mediums too. I always thought that's normal). I personally use the 'silk mat' for most of my works, except when I have outlines done with fineliners or multiliners that are waterproof, then it has to be mat, or the lines become shiny like a diamond.

[@mariamorjane]

Hi Olga, thank you so much for sharing☺️🌹I have never tried Schmincke Varnish - on my list!🌸☺️

[@cassiescreations9828]

I found your comment full of useful information - THANK YOU!

[@olgahein4384]

@@mariamorjane My pleasure :) I just mentioned Schmincke cause I grew up with them and they are as thorough with their product palette as you'd expect from german brands. But I'm pretty sure that other established brands have similar products, as W&N, DS, etc.

[@geoffmitchell6515]

Thank you Maria x

[@mariamorjane]

Your welcome Geoff☺️🌹

[@lauracaroline5822]

Thank you for this video, that’s very helpful!

[@mariamorjane]

☺️🌹You're so welcome!

[@ysaichama6051]

This is what I need! Thank you so much! ❤❤❤❤

[@mariamorjane]

☺️🌹You're so welcome!

[@sherizapara2992]

Thankyou, wondered what I could use.😊

[@mariamorjane]

Your welcome Sheri🌸😃

[@EnjoyDrawingwithMary]

Thank you for this video! I was looking for this for days! :)

[@mariamorjane]

You are so welcome🌸🙋🏻‍♀️

[@sallylunamoth5542]

I think they are both great...for me it would depend on the subject...Nature=Matt 💚 Portraits or Architecture=Gloss 🤍 Thank You Maria very helpful video 💐💕

[@mariamorjane]

Hi Sally, thanks for sharing your thoughts, that sounds good to me😃😍

[@joshaw3753]

Thanks for sharing!

[@mariamorjane]

Thanks for watching!

[@CraftisaArt]

Thank you for your video. It is really helpful, I was not aware of watercolor varnish. On one of my painting I have used acrylic/oil varnish, but watercolor varnish is different it looks 😊

[@mariamorjane]

🌸😃You are so welcome!

[@SJ-wm8et]

Thank you so much for making this process so clear and simple. I’ve been researching this because I want to just mat my animal studies and needed to protect them.

[@mariamorjane]

☺️🌹Glad it was helpful!

[@jefffawver3389]

Thank you for sharing this information helped alot.

[@mariamorjane]

☺️☺️You are so welcome!

[@asnasart]

It will be useful to me.... Awesome...

[@mariamorjane]

🌹🌸😃Glad to hear that

[@vintagemoss9578]

Could you do that painting again with a tutorial? I absolutely love it!

[@mariamorjane]

aww thank you🌹☺️👩🏻‍🎨I will for sure work on a portrait tutorial soon!

[@sharmilachakraverty6439]

Ok, I just feel into this site to look for a glossy varnish. Could you please post the link for your painting tutorial? Thanks so much.

[@rosemarylong6922]

Very interesting Maria thank you!

[@mariamorjane]

🌹🌸😃Glad it was helpful!

[@deboshrimukherjee841]

This was so helpful Maria🤩 my watercolor paintings look gorgeous after putting varnish on them.. Although I am finding it very hard to figure out how to clean my brush afterwards. I see that you've used your princeton brush here in this video. Can you please give a tip as to how you clean them after using varnish. Much appreciated.❤️❤️ Thank you again 🤗

[@evieartchantress227]

Hello Maria :) Lovely advises thank you:):) I notice that you didn't buff wax medium... try that (with a soft cloth)looks really good ;) all the best Evie

[@mariamorjane]

Thank you so much Evie😃🌹🌹🤗

[@artifexmom3824]

Thanks for this nice tips Maria. ☺️❤️

[@mariamorjane]

🌹You’re welcome 😊

[@artifexmom3824]

Maria Raczynska You’re welcome Maria.☺️❤️

[@evaluederitz]

Thank you a lot!

[@mariamorjane]

You're welcome!☺️🌹

[@Katushkin1]

Love this painting! Great job😍

[@mariamorjane]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ErkinYilmazArt]

Thank you for great tips🙌😊🌹❤️

[@mariamorjane]

Your welcome ☺️

[@AnimaedArte]

Thank you for your sharing 😊Very interesting 👍 Do you think gommalacca “shellac” could be ok?

[@mariamorjane]

Hi, I am sorry but I am not familiar with what is gommalacca shellac...

[@towardsthelight4919]

If you use the Dorland wax medium and you want to frame without out glass to sell will it be enough to protect your painting or do I need to seal it first with a UV archival spray ?

[@k.vasuarts5841]

Thank you for sharing

[@mariamorjane]

☺️Thanks for watching!

[@audiotinker]

Can you add fine glitter to this and then varnish again with a clear coat?

[@onnaaddis7983]

Very good demo, Maria! I like the matte look too for watercolors. I wonder if the SAX is like one spray ive used for oil pastels and chalk called triple thick. Its glossy spray. 1 coat does it..lol tyfs your knowledge! Onna

[@mariamorjane]

Your so welcome Onna☺️🌹

[@susanspeidel312]

This tutorial is much appreciated! I have a favorite painting I’ve not framed yet bc I would like to hang it in a spot that gets a lot of indirect sunlight. It has vivid colors (I used permanent pigments) but I don’t want them to fade. Have you any thoughts on which of the two products you demonstrated would work best in a bright area? Secondly, I loved the paintings you chose. Especially the portrait. Please, please make a tutorial(s) soon on painting portraits.

[@mariamorjane]

Thank you so much Susan and my pleasure ☺️🌹🌸It's really hard to tell, because it depends if you prefer matte or gloss. Overall I think the gloss may look nicer in a brighter area but then anything in a brighter area will look good because of the extra light. And thank you, I will work on some portrait tutorials 😍

[@indiramaloth3626]

Is there a video of tutorial of the water lake painting at the beginning you showed

[@mariamorjane]

hi Indira, so sorry but no video for that one...🌸🙋🏻‍♀️

[@LulluNatic]

So Maria also paints portraits?! 4:30 ☺️ You know what, I would love to watch a video of your portrait painting process here. As for the subject of this video, it's always useful to know that we can varnish our watercolor paintings but honestly, personally I feel that it gives a sophisticated aspect which denatures the watercolor, and I prefer not using it 😉

[@cassiescreations9828]

By "denature," do you mean that it takes the natural painterly look away?

[@LulluNatic]

@@cassiescreations9828 Exactly, I like the raw aspect of watercolor ☺️

[@mariamorjane]

Thank you so much and I will work on a video with a portrait demo☺️🌹

[@LulluNatic]

@@mariamorjane Amazing, can't wait ☺️

[@HopeflRomantc]

I ADORE your water painting. I looked up Sax True Flow, and found it on eBay, in "Multimedia Matte Varnish" which says it's good for a huge selection of materials including permanent and water-based markers, wax crayons, collage materials, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, oil pastels, gel pens. Have you tried it? does it smear watercolor paints? I use shimmer paints a lot too, both in acrylics and watercolors. I don't want anything to dull them, so I have been going the "cheap route" - hair spray. No kidding. Am I doing things wrong?

[@YantoKiernz]

Thank you for the tips. Do you know how long water color painting will last long with the original color after the furnish?

[@mariamorjane]

Hi Yanto, these varnishes are to preserve your watercolor painting for a very long time. I have had some of my work varnished with wax medium for 4 years now and it still looks the same.

[@YantoKiernz]

@@mariamorjane thank you

[@cklew8999]

good evening maria! Great tutorial, using these products will tell you when you're thru with the painting. I guess I missed portrait video. Nice work. Hope you are well and safe. Are those products available in matte, gloss? Thanks, take care...

[@mariamorjane]

Good evening Sir☺️Thank you so much. I actually did the portrait when I was traveling few months back, I think 2019 so there was no video. The varnish wax medium by Dorlands is just matte and the other one is just gloss finish but those are my favorite ones since I started painting with watercolors 🌹

[@AnnieThyme]

This was really helpful, been looking for something like this for my paintings. 1 question though, did either product have much of a smell? I have pretty bad nausea from a neuro immune disease and if one is a lot less scented than the other it would be helpful info for deciding whether or not to get :)

[@destresswithyoga]

Wow - so interesting!! Can fixative sprays work as well?

[@mariamorjane]

Hi, there are different choices of varnishes out there, some are in a form of a spray ☺️🌹so yes, just make sure it says for a watercolor painting.

[@iwonalindert5278]

Oj bardzo potrzebne viedo, dzieki :-) Gdzie (najlepiej w PL) kupic ten Dorland's wax medium? :-)

[@mariamorjane]

Witaj Iwona, niestety nie wiem gdzie można kupić jakiekolwiek produkty do akwareli w Polsce - ja mieszkam w Cali - USA💕🙋🏻‍♀️

[@sanmitrakundu2694]

This was very useful ❤️😀. But I have two questions . First is more of a request , can u give the video of first boat image and cute doggy image !! Please !!??!! Second is what is the type of water colourpaper you use for all these paintings. Like if one goes to the shop they asks what type would u like to purchase ?Can u help !?

[@namitapadbidri7102]

I wanted to know that after u varnish using wax medium or the other semi liquid medium and after the painting drys in 3 days can we glass frame it. How would u advice on that? Since due to dust settling on the paint is it advisable to glass frame it or will it get spoilt

[@chrishayman1747]

How do you frame/ mount your paintings once you varnish/ wax?

[@dougrutherford3848]

Have you used either of the wax and varnish over a watercolour where you have also added soft pastel?

[@mariamorjane]

Hi Dough, sorry, no.. I don't do mixed media so I haven't tried that.. perhaps someone else will see your comment and will advice on that. These are watercolor paintings only.

[@ink.paper.rainbow8394]

Can you pls tell me which varnish should I use for poster colors?

[@cassiescreations9828]

I've seen bees wax used but I heard of people using varnish and I was wondering what it looks like on a painting - now I know. I assume you could get the art work varnish in matte, not gloss but I don't know for sure. It isn't anything that I am in a hurry for as I have yet to paint anything that I want to keep that long!!! 😀

[@mariamorjane]

Hi Cassie ☺️🌹I am so glad I was able to help a bit to understand how the varnish works😍

[@Knorrette]

I think it is similar to the Renaissance wax which is widely used in musea for conservation of e.g. wood, metal, paper etc. Never thought of using it on water color so thanks for the tip!

[@mariamorjane]

Your so welcome☺️🌹

[@SuperExadidas]

Nice water ripple on that artwork. Hoping you can share the technique. Thanks.

[@mariamorjane]

Thank you Willie, I have lots of Seascapes on my YT channel😃

[@SuperExadidas]

@@mariamorjane Thanks ...I will look for it.

[@sadikofficial3747]

Can we use this varnish on chart papers..? Or only on canvas?

[@cassanova9322]

What happens when you don't use any varnish for your paintings?

[@krisse33]

Does the Dorlands Wax Medium dry easily? I found also these on Ebay. Could I use thse? - Sax True Flow Multi-Media Varnish, Matte Finish. - Sax True Flow Tempera Varnish, Gloss Finish Please, tell your mother that she has raised an awesome artist and thank her for these tips. ❤ (Sorry my bad English.) Yours, Krisuuli

[@kiaclarke8527]

Do you have any tips for cleaning a brush after using varnish? I'm having some trouble with mine

[@mariamorjane]

Hi Kia, so sorry to hear this, did you clean your brush right after you used the varnish? You should be able to get rid of the "liquid" off your brush with just soap and water.😃

[@deedymarji2731]

thank you for this tips. i got a question, i usually use the mix of water colour, poster colour, marker pen and also pencil in my work. is this varnish suitable for all the media i use?

[@mariamorjane]

Hi, I don't really know since all I do is watercolors... maybe there could be an issue with using a pencil in your work? I would suggest to try the high gloss varnish.

[@gitanjaliroy6235]

can we use both these varnish on acrylic paintings as well?

[@cydneysteeb4730]

Thanks Maria...if you protect your paintings this way can you then mat and frame without glass?

[@mariamorjane]

Hi Cydney, technically yes🌹☺️but the dust will collect more on your painting covered in wax so I suggest to use a non glare type of a glass🌹With the glossy finish the dust will still collect but it won't be as harsh and as visible as with the wax finish.

[@sharonmills1013]

Thanks for this video. Do either of these finishes leave any residue? I’m trying to find a coating for bookmarks; I tried ModPodge, but it’s a little sticky even after it has dried a long time. I don’t want the bookmarks to stick to the book!

[@piggysaucer]

Does the varnish help seal in the vibrancy of the painting? I found that my paintings tend to loose some color once they’re fully dry, so I’m trying to find something that works!

[@anandvolvoikar1217]

Very nice 👌 intresting 👍♥️💜

[@mariamorjane]

🌹Thank you so much 🙂

[@OkieSketcher1949]

I am wondering about doing this on a pen and ink work. I do pen and ink on 140# paper, usually hot press. The ink is water proof or water resistant and promoted as being archival. Any comments on this type of use? Which product would you suggest, or does it matter?

[@chinku84]

Other than SAX in there anyother varnish for water color??

[@kimgrandy_art_]

I clicked your link to buy the Sax, but it says it is unavailable. Is there another watercolor varnish you like?

[@mariamorjane]

Hi Kim, so sorry about that. I checked it myself.. I can't even find Sax true flow on amazon anymore, here's another site that carries it: www.schoolspecialty.com/sax-waterproof-watercolor-varnish-402420 🌹🌸

[@LeenaLellu]

Hello! :) I make cards and color my stamped images with watercolor pencils, and I worry the colors will fade from sunlight. If I varnish the stamped images, will it save them from fading from sunlight?

[@desyirislam5094]

Does it crack when you bend it ?

[@pagalmasala]

would this dull metallics????

[@cami_kaze]

Would gum Arabic work? I have a whole tube at home and don't know how or where to use it!

[@mariamorjane]

Hi Camila ☺️🌸I actually have tried gum arabic over a small painting and it does work in a way. Gum arabic is what most companies use as a binding agent in watercolors, so it's part of your pigment ☺️It makes your painting shiny a bit. I would try first on a smaller sheet just so you know what you are dealing with☺️

[@HimanArtists]

Awesome

[@mariamorjane]

Thank you ☺️🌹

[@gigiartstudiowithartistvir3919]

Dorlands needs to be used first before varnishing right? I tried to varnish a watercolor painting with Sax True Flow wc varnish and my painting smeared so badly, ruining it completely. The painting was for sure dry as it was weeks old. I'm so crushed because it was a really good painting. I must have done something wrong. :(

[@mariamorjane]

Oh Gigi, I am so sorry 🥹 What watercolor paper did you use? It has to be watercolor paper that doesn't lift easily. I mostly paint on Hahnemuhle the COLLECTION, Leonardo, Arches - Sax true flow works on these, but if I used it on Fabriano Artistico, Hahnemuhle Harmony which is a cellulose paper - the varnish would essentially lift the colors... so sorry!❤️

[@mariamorjane]

Other papers that this may not work are: Stonegenge and Strathmore...

[@gigiartstudiowithartistvir3919]

@@mariamorjane Well that might be the issue then. I used an ampersand cradle board and painted directly on it so I wouldn't have to spend money on framing. I use a lot of Arches normally and mount the paper, but recently found out about Hahnemühle Leonardo. I have several giant sheets of their 600gsm, and my first impression out of the box was WOW. I look forward to painting on them. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I'll see how the Sax works on one of the Leonardo sheets. I have seen it done which is why I bought the Sax True Flow to begin with. I know it was user error as there is a learning curve with all aspects of producing art. :)

[@mariamorjane]

Thank you for sharing more about what you used for painting 🙋🏻‍♀️💐and yay for Leonardo! One of the best papers out there, unfortunately it has phased out, I have the last few blocks🥹

[@gigiartstudiowithartistvir3919]

@@mariamorjane NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I could cry, really? Ugh why do manufacturers do this to people? It blows to find something you like and then it gets discontinued.

[@AMUarts]

thanks for this! also pls do more animals and waters pls

[@carlmanis7471]

cool vid

[@mariamorjane]

Thank you!

[@JustinMumma]

There are tons of negative Amazon reviews that Sax True Flow watercolor varnish is smearing the painting. Do you know about this? The painting was not dry enough, or low quality paints?

[@mariamorjane]

Hi Justin, that's interesting... I have never had any issues... but I could see that happen with 1. using a cellulose watercolor paper, a paper that lifts colors very easily. That would actually happen for sure if you use Strathmore 500 series or Stonehenge aqua, or even Hahnemuhle's Britannia, Agave or Harmony. These papers are not for layering, because they lift easily. 2. Using cheaper opaque watercolors? I only use Holbein - professional grade. 3. Another thing is your painting has to be 100% dry. I would leave it alone for a couple of days before adding the varnish, just to make sure. I have shown a few videos now applying it and as you could see - no smears. This works when you use a watercolor paper like Hahnemuhle Leonardo, The Collection, Cezanne or Arches. These papers are good for layering in general, so you wouldn't smear the paint when applying varnish.

[@judymills873]

I didn’t know u could get watercolour varnish!

[@mariamorjane]

Yes😃🌸Please check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4HCkICbm51_esU

[@AMUarts]

Ur paintings or amazing!! Y didn't u do tutorials for them Mam? 😊they r soo realastic! U always draw and no need to protect them, they are master pieces which can't be destroyed by anything💚💙💜love Ur idea I am following u😀😀in my videos (I drew pics on yt inspiring from u) hope I reach u one day! 😊

[@mariamorjane]

Thank you so much for your kind words😀Portraits take me much longer to paint but I will try my best to have a video on KZbin soon😍

[@AMUarts]

@@mariamorjane Thanks a lot mam

[@lovepainting2269]

It is force?

[@amaliapaps5795]

What ink did you ises for the gold accent please ? It looks stunning!

[@goose1715]

Hey Maria. Do you protect all your paintings? 😘

[@mariamorjane]

Hi Susan, I wish I had time for that😂no.. unfortunately not ..but to be honest as I was just going through some of my older (2018) paintings in a box, they still look as vibrant as the newer ones😃

[@NovaSS-dz4my]

Protection? UV? O

[@remediosrerogra3869]

no entiendo nada pues no hablo ingles, pero creo que comprendo los que nos quieres hacer llegar. Gracias

[@MsRain49]

Do you know how these age?

[@MsRain49]

Also, how do you clean the brush afterwards?