Protecting your artwork: A Guide to Choosing Varnish
Author: Dana McGorlick-Appelman Date Posted:10 February 2022
Best Varnish for Acrylic Painting: A Guide to Protecting Your Artwork
Varnishing is the final step in preserving and protecting your artwork from dirt, stains, wear, moisture, and UV damage. Whether you're working with acrylics, oils, pastels, or other mediums, selecting the right varnish is essential.
This guide covers the best varnishes for different types of artworks, along with tips on applying and protecting your pieces.
How Do I Protect My Acrylic Painting?
To finish off your acrylic painting and protect it from dust and environmental damage, varnishing is essential.
Varnishing an acrylic paintingA great option for beginners is the Micador Crystal Clear Spray, available in gloss, matte, or satin finishes. This easy-to-use spray creates a protective barrier over your artwork.
Recommended Acrylic Varnishes
What Is the Best Varnish for Oil Painting?
Once your oil painting is complete, store it in a temperature-controlled space and keep it out of direct sunlight. When fully dry, applying varnish will protect the surface and enhance color vibrancy.
Recommended Oil Varnishes
- Damar Varnish – A traditional gloss varnish.
- Krylon Kamar Varnish Spray (311g) – Non-yellowing, dries in 2 hours.
- Gamblin Gamvar (Gloss, Satin, Matte) – Water-clear and removable.
- Matisse Gloss Varnish (Turps-Based) – Can be used over acrylic and oil paintings.
How Do I Protect My Pastel, Charcoal & Pencil Drawings?
Since pastels, charcoal, and pencil drawings are delicate, the best way to protect them is to use a fixative spray.
Recommended Fixatives
How Do I Protect a Finished Watercolour Painting?
Watercolour artworks should be framed behind UV-protective glass and mounted on acid-free mat board.
How Do I Protect Decoupage?
Recommended Decoupage Varnishes
Best Varnish for Outdoor Artworks
For outdoor artworks, a weather-resistant varnish is necessary.
Comments (1)
Gesso over Kamar varnish
By: Sandra Henderson on 25 November 2022Does anyone know if it is okay to completely gesso over an existing acrylic painting that has been sprayed with two coats of Kamar varnish and then do a new acrylic painting on top? I want to incorporate the old texture into my new painting.
Art Shed Online Response
Hi Sandra, great question! You can paint over varnished paintings, you just need to prepare the surface properly. We recommend you sand the painting lightly before applying the Gesso, and make sure you let it dry fully before starting your new painting. It is possible it could lead to cracking, as you have multiple different formauls underneath, but it is definitely worth having a go! Let us know how it goes!