Studio Products :: Mediums & Varnishes

Gallery Varnish #16245

Gallery Varnish is a final picture varnish that, when properly applied, produces a finish that is deep and lustrous but not overly glossy. Made from both damar and mastic varnishes, mixed in the ideal proportions, Gallery Varnish combines the best qualities of both with few of the less desirable qualities like darkening and cracking.

We add a small quantity of a dispersant to keep both resins in suspension (they tend to settle out). Gallery Varnish is best applied slightly warm, onto a canvas that has been warmed. This is not totally necessary but it is the ideal. A generous coating is applied and the brush wiped dry and used to pick up the excess varnish.
The brush is repeatedly wiped dry and the process continues until a slight drag happens. At that point, switch to a dry, soft brush and lick the varnish out until the dragging is quite noticeable. The surface will be disturbed enough to produce a soft sheen upon drying.

Years later, when the varnish needs to be removed for cleaning, it can be dissolved away easily with turpentine. And no damage to the underlying paint.
Applied properly, this bottle contains enough to easily cover a six foot by six foot canvas.