How to Varnish a Watercolour Without Glass

[@c.2538]

* Dorland’s Wax OR Gamblin’s Wax to protect the painting surface * Stevenson Acrylic Gloss Gel with impasto brush to affix

[@jenthang]

This was so helpful, thank you! I'm a watercolor artist and I've been desperately looking for a way to varnish my paintings without using those horrible toxic aerosol sprays.

[@Donna_73]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. New to watercolor, this video came in divine timing! 💕

[@natlisan]

This was so... helpful!!! as a watercolour/mixedmedia artist my framing options where limited to always matting and glass. Thank you for your mounting ideas! It takes a very traditional medium into a new age. It also looks AMAZING!!!

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

+Nathan Dixon I am so glad you see new potential for your art. Do you have a good supplier for Birch Panels in your area?

[@natlisan]

I'm lucky! I have a few!!!

[@shirleyschapler8055]

Nathan Dixon ii

[@samuelbroad11]

this is excellent advice, well presented. I'm a picture framer and will tell my regular exhibiting watercolourists about this video.

[@alandickson8168]

Exactly what I was needing to know and so well presented! Thanks a bunch!!

[@EnolaElorie]

Dear Kim...that was an awesome piece of advice and I just wanted to say that you have a radiant personality!!

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

+EnolaElorie Oh thank you! More is coming!

[@phyllis3973]

This was great- wonderful presentation. One question does this prevent uv rays?

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

Amazing ideas for protecting your painting and also the framing. Thanks so much. Blessings and take care. ❤❤❤

[@alleynanci]

I was glad to find this option for framing. I am new at watercoloring but have been framing my work on a stretched canvas with mod podge. Been a good option for me but will try this method as well.

[@BarBaraWhorleyCrawfordESS]

Thank you. ❤love how you did this.

[@marciagklarosk5161]

Excellent information.. Thank you so much!

[@g.k.g.k.6417]

Thank you very much. Will the wax-resin coating suffer in hot weather conditions...? Where I live the summer is long and extreme.

[@jenfleming9412]

A very good demonstration thank you. Yes I use a similar method but will try the wax when I can buy it. Love your work.

[@mileyhuang9135]

I love this video. Direct and useful helps me a lot thank you.

[@yuanitaklatt4854]

so helpful!! thank you for this tutorial KIM

[@YuvakTuladhar]

Thanks for sharing the technique!

[@vincentcasados146]

kim, amazing idea! As a Watercolor beginner I have a lot of practice pieces that get better and better. n Now I can protect the and mount them for give aways to family and friends. (Glass is very heavy and dangerous for my heart medication which thins my blood). Perfect with my learned Matting ability. Wonderful narration !

[@elizabetharmstrong252]

BRILLIANT! Thankyou so very much! I'm off to buy both and see which I prefer. Your presentation was lovely, informative and fun and to the point.

[@Cre-Art]

Excellent video. I normally work in gouache and the same principals apply to varnishing. I'm not familiar with the other brand but have been using Dorland's wax successfully, and don't find that it has any odor. The tips you gave for mounting and framing were exactly what I needed. I'll be coming back to this video when I'm at that stage. Thank you very much. :)

[@TheSeductiveDaisy]

Genial!!! Thank you for sharing these tips!

[@TheJoan48]

Thank you, thank you. I'm self taught and know very little about products, protecting my work or framing. I sincerely appreciate your knowledge and how well you share it. I've learned so much in this short video. I'm off to check out your channel!

[@thomaseaton4077]

Exceptional video presentation!

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

Thank you! What other topics/questions would you like to see us cover?

[@thomaseaton4077]

@@ThePaintSpotEdmonton I cannot find the wax here in Poland. What might be the most common and available product to protect watercolors on paper?

[@victoriazartz2956]

Amazing turtorial! Thank you for your help!

[@jujubee7351]

Good job! Thanks for sharing

[@fayewestillustration]

Thank you so much! This waa just what I have been looking for!

[@debrabartman6749]

Thank you for making this video. It is very helpful.

[@lovedayfunckart3263]

This may be the most helpful video I've found about protecting and mounting watercolor. Thank you!

[@jacruick]

Thank you for this tutorial... Can you please list the exact products you used in the video description? Thank you!

[@jujubee7351]

I’d like to know also , she did a great job

[@cdorothy444]

For long, I struggled with my watercolor PAINTINGS growing mould, until I found cold wax medium. LOVE. 100% recommend this vid. I first learnt about cold wax here

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

Oh thank you! It means so much to us ti heat from you. Yea! the tips we share really do help others!!!!

[@johnjohnny6480]

Thank you! I’m on my way to Blicks!

[@KayLodahl1]

I am really impressed and inspired by this. Thanks so much!!

[@halfmoon03]

You explain it very well! Thank you!

[@tonihulick1886]

Excellent! Thank you!!

[@catch33223322]

This was very informative. I knew there had to be a way. Thank you so much.

[@connierodriguezartandsoulm2728]

How do you attach that cradled board to the back of the picture frame? Thank you...

[@sharonelizabeth4248]

Great video Kim. I'm going to wax up some paintings this weekend. 😁 I noticed that you said that this medium was also good for encaustics. I work in encaustics and because both Dorland and Gamblin wax pastes have mineral spirits (petroleum distillate) in them they should never be used with a heat source of any kind. They are highly flammable.

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

+Sharon Elizabeth You are correct but you can paint on top of an encaustic with the cold waxed if you wish. Note: Gambling Wax is much less volatile than Dorland's.

[@RogerRFontaine]

thanks for the great useful video on mounting my watercolours without using glass. I've been wanting this knowledge and didn't know where to find it easily.

[@mysticalsister]

So much great information! Thanks!

[@morna45]

You are an angel for sharing this.

[@tanjajons92]

You just have this happy contagious smile, and beautiful eyes. I came here for the info, which I am grateful for, and am leaving here with a contagious smile too 😊

[@katherinei2494]

I'm new to watercolor, and have just started out with a set of Kuretake Gansai Tambi paints. But, I've learned that they may not be the most lightfast. I plan on using these paints while I get my footing with the medium. Are there any spray varnishes that would work for protecting the watercolor pieces from UV light? I've seen Krylon has a UV Archival varnish spray, but am unsure whether that would work with watercolors. What would you recommend? Thanks in advance! :)

[@danielss77939]

Same doubt. Have you found information on this?

[@susandavenport8909]

Excellent advise, presentation and easy to do!!! This is a win-win!! Thank you so much💖

[@melbendigo]

Very instructional, thanks! I've read that it dries only to the hardness of a beeswax candle, which is enough to seal the watercolor, but should still be protected from scratching or scuffing. It's funny, but the can that I have doesn't list the alkyd resin, only wax and OMS, even though product descriptions mention the alkyd resin. Oh well... I guess it's in there!

[@las174]

Thank you so much! I really never liked having glass, now I don't need to, thanks to your video!

[@toequantumspace]

Thank you! It looks so great and the process is really easy.

[@mariaholvoegouras936]

Thank you so much for a great demo!!!!!

[@margarethdemery488]

Hi Kim... you have so resolved my issues on how to preserve “Watercolor “ Art... this was so informative and came at a good time ! Thank you for your tutorials...

[@mapadiy9712]

Great video! That part about the weights lol

[@maldoori238]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience and inspiring skills. I really enjoyed watching the video. Very informative.

[@denisegrossman3840]

Thank you for a very informative video! Could I use this technique with pastels? Could you tell me where could I purchase both frames? Thank you

[@mamtaakkenapalli6805]

Thy wsss sooo helpful ..thnqqq so much for the video ❤️❤️

[@misskay2150]

Wow thank you this tutorial helps me getting my art work in another level!

[@phyllis3973]

This was great! One question is this uv protective?

[@amopainting8598]

That was soooo helpful thank you

[@clairebourbonniere6937]

I read the wax will harden similar to a Beeswax candle. But what about the dust that will stick to it in time if it is not covered with glass ?

[@deborahtaylor7902]

hi..this was so helpful! I saw another artist use varnish spray first on the painting before the wax..is the needed?

[@grandma.p]

Thanks so much for this video. I make my own Christmas cards and gift tags every year and "laminate" them in packing tape, which leaves a line or two. I have been looking for a product like Gamelin but had no idea what to look for or where. This year I wanted to make the envelopes, too. I'm going to try this product when I get started.

[@Airbrush208]

Hi Kim,Thanks for the video,This hopefully will be a game changer for Me,I just set my first small water color up for drying time, I'm going to give it 12 hours just to be sure,I have a couple questions,over the long term How would you rate doing Our watercolors this way ,Customer response,satisfaction etc,I;m also an Airbrush Artist and intend to offer my watercolor as well,I already have some paintings sold and getting good responses on some finished paintings,and I gave them a disclaimer on the waxing and your process opposed to framing and glass prior to the purchase,,I'm waiting on responses from two buyers as we speak,Once again,this process has more pluses that negatives opposed to frames and the ridiculous expenses it incurs,I want and Love to the watercolors hopefully I can get a Niche' doing them this way,Thanks Again.

[@camillabluth1494]

So incredibly helpful!!!

[@tectec9125]

Haven't frame watercolor paintings for worrying on if it be difficult. Thank you for video ! Will give it a try

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

This is a great option: affordable and easy to do. Perfect for markets....if we ever have markets again. ...

[@tectec9125]

@@ThePaintSpotEdmonton at least the smaller cities should be okay, with having markets 😊

[@carlic8958]

Instead of using the gel to glue the work to the panel can you use mod podge or Elmer’s glue-all?

[@roren_san]

Thank you for this!! I'm a beginner painter who started with acrylic on canvas... when I found out you can't really use watercolor on canvas, I panicked lol. Canvases are so much easier to hang.

[@Anikanoteven]

I have always been so disappointed with the glare glass framing makes. Even with the costly non-glare glass. This is a wonderful way to showcase a revolving watercolor works.

[@VBFAV]

How long does it take for it to dry? What else could you be used instead of acrylic gel or an acrylic product?

[@zenigub]

Thank you for sharing this!!!

[@udayanipathapati422]

Wow, this is very useful information .. thanks for sharing!! Can we use mod podge/other glue instead of the gel medium to glue the watercolor paper on the board? Please let me know... TIA :)

[@PierreMonroe-hj6uy]

Where did you get the boards?

[@georgiacorey954]

Awesome. Do u think the wax would work on handkerchief canvas done with water soluble mediums like pen, pencil & acrylic paint?

[@SusanRoseArt]

I loved this video! Thanks so much for making it, it was so informative. :)

[@phyllis3973]

Do you need to prime the wood first?

[@beckymendoza8894]

This is absolutely awesome! Thank you thank you for sharing 👀I’m your new subscriber 🤗

[@jude1515]

Thank you and I will check out your website.

[@Harphoney]

How do you dust a picture that’s finished this way ? Does the wax and varnish protect it from fading in the sun or finger marks if someone touched it. ❤

[@jeanettecook1088]

Fascinating! At last, a way to do this without glass! Please tell me where you got the birch boxes... new sub! Just discovered you!! 👏👏💗👏👏👏

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

We stock them!! paintspot.ca/?s=Birch&post_type=product&dgwt_wcas=1

[@ChynaRose]

This video is amazing thank you so much

[@seamus9305]

Thanks for the tips. I always wondered if there was a way.

[@drummergirl9481]

Super helpful...thank you!

[@lindaklein1300]

Wow great idea! Where do I get the board you adhered the painting to?

[@constancedelgiudice]

Hi, so helpful. What if the water color paper isn’t flat; will it pop up, or are those waxes strong enough to hold it in place.

[@asmasiddiqui3277]

Very helpful thanks for sharing :)

[@ClaytonPeak]

For gluing the paper to the birch, which works better: heavy gel or regular gel medium?

[@peggyqbkg9705]

Hi. great video! Can you use gel medium or a simple 'varathane-type' product to coat a painting instead of the pricier waxes? Pros and cons? Thanks!

[@melanieheywood1866]

thanks this is fantastic!

[@maryparker8275]

LOVED THIS!!! THANK YOU!!

[@Life_of_TUSH]

Thank you this is helpful, straight to the point and informational. Other jibber jabbish and just talk way too much!

[@marthiescholer4565]

I so much like this. THANKS

[@christineamstutz420]

What a great idea. I have a question, though: Would this method be considered „archival quality“? I absolutely love the idea and I do know that encaustic paintings can be conserved for ever. So, do I conclude that the cold wax has the same end-effect? Thanks for answering.

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

Christine Amstutz The Wax will not yellow. It effectively waterproofs and protects the paper. Dust can be polished away. Wax can be reapplied. I trust this simple process for works sold at markets. Some museum art conservators will argue the wax cannot be removed without damaging the Watercolour surface. Another option is the Acrylic Gel and MSA Varnish method found here at this link paintspot.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Watercolour%20How%20to%20Varnish.pdf

[@christineamstutz420]

The Paint Spot Thank you so much for your answer with links. It is very helpful and clarifies what crossed my mind! Have a wonderful day.

[@nauci]

Gamblin cold wax can be used as a matte varnish for oil paintings, so I assume it's pretty archival.

[@pamelalynn5955]

How would you all a wire hangar to the back?

[@c.sueplant3668]

Hi, thanks for your video. Is the wax archival?

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

+C. Sue Plant Bees Wax and Damar Resin are the most archival!

[@SuzanneLegault]

One more question, well 2 more. Is there a uv protection from the wax? And. Would it work on colored pencil art done on watercolor paper?

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

It’s is worth testing. I suspect that the wax may smear the wax crayon. It may be too similar.

[@amalmc]

what a great movie. So helpful. I am searching since months on how to varnish watercolor paintings, i am allergic, I can't use any sprays mediums. I have a question, I would like to know the brand of the wax you are using.

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

We used Gamblin Cold Wax Medium . I have also used Dorland's Wax but it has more of a solvent smell.

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

amal mc It says and shows in the video it is Gamblin Cold Wax. Here it is for sale on our website. www.paintspot.ca/products-page/gamblin-oil-paints/gamblin-cold-wax-medium/

[@mariapop779]

Does that wax also protect the colors from fading?Thanks!

[@robertdavies1236]

Hi Kim, I have a question regarding gouache paint medium. What is the best fixative for gouache paints? I'm new to the gouache medium.

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

+Robert Davies You can Wax them too. There are also Spray Varnishes. Our favourite is Golden MSA Varnish. It come in Gloss, Satin or Matte finish.

[@robertdavies1236]

thanks for responding to my question :)

[@jennykovacs7120]

Love the process you gave, but Stevenson's acrylic gloss is no longer available. Do you have another product you can recommend for "adhesing" the painting to the frame surface?

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

Holbein Gel, Golden Gel or Tri Art gloss gel. Here is a link to Holbein paintspot.ca/art-supplies/acrylics/acrylic-gels-pastes/holbein-acrylic-gels-300-ml-poly-bag/

[@Esvs27]

Thank you so much! you are unforgettable person. I really didn't wanted to use the spry, it feels weird for some reason. I have a question: is there other good label you could recommend me for the gel? I can't find Stevenson label anywhere!

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

Stevenson is a Canadian brand. They have retired and no longer make paint. Holbein Gel or Golden Soft Gel are excellent choices too.

[@casadonnelly2498]

Thank you! you are awesome!

[@cynthiafleury1409]

Can this be used with photographs on matte paper as well?

[@sengrawlahpai4228]

is there a place where such can be done in Berlin?

[@teresabgraham]

Love this!

[@jennifershepherd6612]

I’m very interested in this framing option. And I’m very unfamiliar with framing. Can you explain what you used in this tutorial? Thank you!

[@ThePaintSpotEdmonton]

Framing is a bigger topic than just varnishing and not really our area of expertise. Here is a pretty good video by some friends of ours. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnjLYmOjqMqpjMk