Most professional artists apply layers of varnish on their finished acrylic paintings. The varnish protects the images from dust and UV rays, prevents yellowing, and ties the colors together, making the painting appear more vibrant. Considering that acrylic paints dry quickly, how long should you wait before varnishing a painting?
You should wait at least a week before varnishing your acrylic painting. While the painting may appear dry within twenty-four hours, it’s best to wait a week, so the different layers of paint have dried all the way through. If you are not careful you can create a crack that would make the painting look flat.
In this article, I’ll discuss how long to wait before varnishing a painting, why it’s crucial to varnish, and a few factors that determine how long you should wait to apply varnish in this article How Soon Can You Varnish Your Acrylic Paintings?
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How Long To Wait Before Varnishing Your Painting
As mentioned in the introduction, most acrylic paint dries within 24 hours of application
. It may even feel dry to the touch, making you believe it’s ready for a coat of varnish. However, there may be wet layers of paint you can’t see beneath the immediate surface. And it’s best to avoid applying varnish until these dry out correctly.
Waiting for a week will ensure that all layers of your painting are dry and it’s ready to be varnished. In fact, some artists wait between a month and six months before applying varnish! However, this period may be too long and unnecessary, and some of us need our paintings to be prepped and ready for sale a lot sooner.
That being said, it’s best to wait at least a week before you varnish the painting to ensure a smooth and safe finish.
What Affects the Drying Rate of Acrylic Paintings?
While the general guideline is to wait at least a week before you varnish the painting, a few factors will determine the actual waiting time. Sometimes you may be able to varnish your painting sooner, and in others, you will have to wait much longer.
Here are some factors to consider:
Humidity
The humidity of the surrounding atmosphere plays a significant role in the drying process. If your painting is stored in a more humid environment, it’s likely to take much longer to dry. As such, you’ll have to wait even longer before you can apply a coat of varnish.
Air Flow
The ventilation in the room you’re painting in also determines the drying time. A well-ventilated room with regular airflow will help your painting dry quickly and evenly. Proper ventilation also speeds up how quickly the additional layers of paint dry.
Number of Layers
Another major factor in the drying time of an acrylic painting is the number of layers applied on the canvas. If you use thick acrylic paints and apply multiple layers, your picture will likely take longer to dry. In this case, you’ll have to wait much longer before applying a coat of varnish.
Isolation Coat
Most artists add an isolation coat to their paintings before applying the varnish. This coat provides a physical barrier between the varnish and the paints, protecting the image and allowing it to last longer.
Additionally, some artists prefer to use removable varnish to get rid of it and add a layer of fresh varnish to their paintings. If this is the case with you, an isolation coat is essential to protect your painting from the harsh chemicals that will be used to rub off the layer of varnish.
If you add an isolation coat, you’ll probably have to wait at least another twenty-four hours before applying varnish to your painting.
What Happens if You Varnish an Acrylic Painting Too Soon?
One week is a safe bet before applying varnish to ensure the paint has adequately dried. However, some artists may be itching to varnish their paintings so they can complete the job. But it’s crucial to avoid varnishing the painting too early.
If you varnish a painting too soon, you will cut off the oxygen that allows the painting to dry properly. When the oxygen is cut off, bits of moisture that remain in the painting will be trapped within and can cause the paint to spread out and appear milky.
So while waiting may seem tedious, it’s best to wait as long as possible before applying a layer of varnish or risk damaging your painting.
How To Varnish an Acrylic Painting
Applying varnish correctly can be a complex process, and you need to be incredibly attentive while going about it. Varnishing the wrong way can ruin the colors and destroy your painting.
Here are a few tips to ensure you get this part right:
- Use a clean brush and tin. Ensure you use a new brush for the varnish and a clean container to pour the liquid into. You don’t want any flecks of paint on either surface that could potentially seep into your painting.
- Horizontal strokes. Place the artwork so that you can make horizontal strokes when painting over with the varnish. This setup will allow you to paint the entire picture without missing any spots.
- Quickly but gently. You want to ensure you’re getting an even coat of varnish all over the painting without wasting too much time, as you want the whole piece to dry evenly.
- Don’t go back. Once you’ve painted an area, avoid painting over it until completing the entire painting. And even then, allow the first coat of varnish to dry before you apply a second one.
- Place the painting safely. Once you’ve applied the first coat, let the varnish dry a little before placing it somewhere safe where dust is unlikely to settle.
- Repeat the process. If you’re adding multiple layers of varnish, repeat the process mentioned here, allowing the previous layer to dry completely before applying the next.
Final Words
Applying a layer of varnish is an excellent way to bring your painting to life by making the colors pop and giving it a wholesome feeling. The varnish ties together the entire image, making the piece appear more vibrant and lifelike, and it’s worth the extra waiting time.
Just be sure to follow these guidelines and get the varnishing process right, so your painting stays safe.