Should I use matte or gloss varnish on my painting?

What kind of varnish should I use?
In this video I test out Gamvar Gloss Varnish vs. Gamvar Matte Varnish for my paintings.
Check out my artworks and art prints:
www.rickyhawki...
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bio.site/rickyhawkinspaintings

[@ericswain4177]

As an avid Art Collector, It all depends on the Artwork. In some rare cases, a combination of different sheened varnishes should be used in different areas of the artwork. As an Art collector, I end up with inevitably older paintings that suffer from old and degraded varnish or in some cases none at all. Satin varnish is my go-to most of the time as gloss tends to reflect to much light and changes the overall painting's look and matte is just a bit dull unless the original painting was meant to have that sheen. Remember what varnish is for, it is meant to be a protective barrier for the painted surface from minor abrasions, contaminants as well as UV not to change the artist's intended work. For the contemporary artists today as the original creator it is very important to consider this step carefully as its the finishing touch and it makes a difference. I have seen a few artworks that suffered from the wrong varnish as well as benefit greatly from varnish.

[@susanweidman3525]

Can you add a coat of this gloss varnish over an older painting with a different varnish that has lost its luster?

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

I believe you can

[@ericswain4177]

@@susanweidman3525 Good question. Consult a conservator or art restorer there are too many variables to consider without seeing the artwork in person and I am not a restorer and there may be more than one option.

[@lks6248]

As an artist I would suggest neither Matt or gloss but mix together to make a satin finish which enhances colour without the distraction of a gloss surface.

[@weirdartsociety]

Thinking that’s what I’m going to go with

[@346UNCLEBOB]

I use both matt and gloss, depends on the look I'm after. Sometimes I mix them for an in-between sheen. Also, try this. As you brush the varnish on, look across the painting at a very low angle. This will help you spot any missed or thick places.

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Thanks! That's a great tip! 👍

[@bathtubtyler1538]

Can you put glossy varnish on top of matte???🙏Someone please help because I’ve already done a coat with matte varnish and I don’t like it.. it’s also a bit streaky so I’m hoping that the next coat will fix it if I buy a foam brush

[@ArtbyJoeH]

Gloss brings a more professional look but very difficult to photograph due to reflection so I photograph prior to glossing.

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

That's a good tip! Thanks! 😊

[@ShawnQuiQui57]

this is what I do as well. Same with frames. Scan it or Photograph it, frame without glass then Photograph it again with the frame. Then install frame for final archival prep

[@ericswain4177]

As an Art collector, I use satin when restoring Artwork, it keeps the art looking fresh but does not change the overall look of the painting from light reflections.

[@pamelabroeker]

Ricky, a accomplished artist from New Zealand, Andrew Tischler, as well as Texas artist under Draw Mix Paint demonstrated how to apply the varnish. Mark Carder, Draw Mix Paint said that the blacks get richer which I think you were finding as well. Andrew commented that the gloss might reflect too much light as well. He demonstrated how he mixes the gloss with the matte to get a satin finish, but leans toward a more gloss in the mix. Great job your works. You are a talented young man. I look forward to seeing some more of your work here.

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Thank you very much, I appreciate your comment, I've seen some of their videos as well!

[@SkibidySkid]

Cut a hole in the foil at the top of the bottle so it trickles out slowly when you pour it 👍

[@debramullen-cr9nd]

Wow the painting of the dude with sunglasses is excellent!

[@debramullen-cr9nd]

I use Gamvar gloss, it makes the acrylic look more bold, rich and bright. I use a sponge to apply. Love your beautiful paintings! Blessings 🙏 to you!

[@socalsal627]

I like how gloss elevates the look of acrylics, making them look more like oils. But love the suggestion from another commenter about toning down the high gloss finish by mixing the matte and gloss varnish together to create a satin varnish. I think you can even buy satin varnish too which is a nice 'middle ground'. Great paintings too! :)

[@momooks]

So… as we've always thought, you need to just have a shit load of layers and some keep colours the sock into each other for a little while and then when they're right you pull the colors out. Some really old pieces can use some varnish, probably dust them or clean off the bullshit first.

[@deannasdiy6356]

So...very good but my concern is that I've looked at every body pics n no one holds up the pics sideways so u can see the glare n no one says how many coats of glowwsy varnish u need. N no one answers questions either

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Hi, thanks for watching my video, I can currently only speak from my experience; my pieces that I have varnished with the glossy don't have a lot of glare when seen in multiple intended viewing angles. The glare doesn't affect the viewing of my pieces until its at an extreme angle. As far as how many coats, I tend to only put one or two coats of varnish at the moment. If you have paintings that have thicker applications of paint, perhaps more coats are needed, but this would be once the painting is fully dry, especially in the case for oils which can sometimes take months for the underlying oil paint to dry.

[@deannasdiy6356]

@@RickyHawkinsPaintings ty for the information

[@Moe-zo4fm]

Your paintings are beautiful, thank you for the video

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Thank you for watching 😁

[@dtariverrats6334]

I definitely like the gloss over the matt.

[@KrstnaSchroeder]

Don’t pour varnish onto paintings, dip the brush in varnish and spread evenly. Pouring gives you way too much and can cause uneven application

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Yeah I when I first started varnishing, I would pour it onto the painting, probably because I saw artists on Instagram doing that. I now dip my brush in it at apply it to the painting. Much better way to do it! 🙌

[@katz103]

I love all of the paintings but especially the flowers. Would love a process video on that or similar ! You're very talented!!

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

I have something similar that I'm working on that I'll be sharing soon

[@katz103]

@@RickyHawkinsPaintings Awesome! I'm a beginner so that would be really great.

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaKvoKJ4iciUlaM

[@tylerpodomik3272]

Fantastic video - so many people miss the mark. This is exactly what the people needed lol.

[@maralfniqle5092]

Fabulous rose 👏🏻👏🏻 beautiful nature scene!👏🏻👏🏻

[@ZadenZane]

That 4K richness of the colours popping out... I think you need to alter your settings in post-production and then the magic will be plain to see. Those paintings are amazing, particularly as you were working in oils, which is like attempting painting in Marmite and jam! But I was going to say for the benefit of anyone reading this, if you're painting in acrylic you need a protective isolation layer between varnish and paint. I did some experimenting with different layers of different things and varnish straight on certain acrylic paints made the colours run badly. I'm a fan of matt varnish. I like it to look like it's not even there!

[@easyeatswithtay7508]

I love all the paintings but my heart is set on the Gloss

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

The gloss definitely brings it together for me

[@DanSwanson2070]

Gamblin recommends using a "scrubbing" motion with the brush instead of painting it on. You need very little Gamvar when you are doing this. Add more coats later if you need.

[@jimreid9674]

There is a satin finish available also. I prefer that one.

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Oh nice! I'll have to check that one out too sometime!

[@andreaamplified]

Beautiful talent! Thank you for the tutorial.

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@susanbartman2267]

I use a dedicated a brush for varnishing. Also, GamVar flows so thin that pouring is usually wasteful, and expensive.

[@weirdartsociety]

Your work is dope.

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Thanks I appreciate that!

[@weirdartsociety]

@@RickyHawkinsPaintings FoSho. Also, I think I may go with the gloss. I’m such a matte person. It would be fun to see something new.

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Definitely check it out! I think you might like it!

[@Iamlicha]

Thank you so much ! I was scared to use it I bought it a whole year ago now im glossing 🥹😂

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Glad that my video helped you!

[@daysileyton7983]

Love your paintings ,

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Thank you! 😊

[@nelidagarcia7412]

You should try a test where you use the gloss varnish first then the matt. I beleive you will get the rich colors and not the reflections. Cool videos.

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Thanks! I'll try that!

[@halian9256]

This is helpful, thanks very much!

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@xrchxngxl]

Very beautiful artwork

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Thank you 😊

[@stevenventura5633]

thanks for the vid i'll be using the gloss now i was using the satin not such a fan thanks :)

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Glad to help 😊, the gloss definitely makes for a great finish

[@michaelwoehl8822]

Nice work.

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Thank you 😊

[@_blackturtle_5734]

When applying matte to a painted object, does the paint need to dry off first before applying the finish?

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

You should definitely wait until the painting is completely dry before applying any varnish

[@ertanizmen7142]

Gloss varnish definitely enhanced your paintings.

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Yes I agree, I love how it turned out

[@liamgarrett29]

Awesome video!!

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Thanks Liam! 😁

[@coolslimm5105]

dope art bro

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Thanks! 😁

[@90sDRgirl]

I have been trying to find a varnish for my gauche and acrylic that isn't super glossy too reflecting glare but makes the art pop..

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

I would say to try a satin finish varnish

[@ninahawkins3480]

I love the gloss varnish because of the shiny "glassy" finish.

[@yolandafrance123]

Lovely video! Where did you buy the varnish? I am all the way in SA and have a friend headed from the states and want to ask for him to bring me some but not send him om a wild goose chase. Lol

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

I ordered mine from Amazon, but I'm sure you can find it in craft stores like Michael's.

[@pattistennett8022]

Try pouring the varnish into a clean tuna can rather than pouring directly on the canvas.

[@daphnerodriguez9980]

AMAZING STUNNING BEAUTIFUL THANKS YOU GOODNESS 🌟 DAPHNE COTTON ALWAYS 💜

[@DeFeriasTV]

Nice video thx

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@JoshuaAMG]

You shouldnt be dropping a huge glob of varnish in the middle to start. Using a small dish on the side and applying the appropriate amount is the way to go

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

For sure!

[@sudipbarua9969]

Please I need help (suggestion)from everyone? Which type of varnish do you like most. Is it gross math? Which one looks more professional oil painting?

[@sudipbarua9969]

Especially in hyper resolution oil painting ?

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Gloss Varnish

[@saranevillerogueart9627]

Satin finish is best

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

I definitely will try it out sometime

[@imsorryyouexperiencedthat]

Your continually going over spots you’ve already brushed..that’s a No-No

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

Ah thanks for letting me know 👍

[@SomeBizarretaSomeBizzareLabel0]

[@RickyHawkinsPaintings]

😄