How to Varnish Your Art
Let’s talk about varnishing your paintings.
Varnishing is so important because it protects the artwork from fading in light. I strongly recommend that you varnish your artwork. I have had artwork fade (that was not varnished) in the past because it was hung on a wall facing a window. The direct sunlight on your work will absolutely take its toll. I have seen this first-hand. Always varnish your work so you will have extra protection from fading which will give you peace of mind.
Types of Varnishes
There are three different kinds of varnish finishes: gloss, matte and satin. I always recommend that artists do their own test on all of three of these before they apply one to their finished artworks. I find that I enjoy the middle of the road option the most with the satin finish. The satin finish is in between the matte and gloss finish. The matte finish has no “reflection” of light while the gloss has a lot of light reflection. I find that the gloss varnish can distract the viewer from the original painting with the light reflection and the matte finish can dull a painting’s vibrant colors. Therefore, I always recommend a satin finish as a great compromise!
Getting Specific
I use Liquitex Satin Varnish and it does not dull down the colors of the painting. Also, the light reflection from the varnish is very minimal. This is a liquid varnish that you apply with a paint brush or sponge brush. The size of your brush should be appropriate for the size of the art you are varnishing. Use a bigger brush for bigger artwork. When you first apply the varnish to your artwork artwork, you will need to move very quickly because it does dry quickly. Two thin coats are recommended for optimal protection.
What to Watch Out For
Watch out for varnishes that have toxic odors. The reason I love Liquitex varnish is because it is odorless and non-toxic. It is a water-based varnish used for acrylic/mixed media paintings. It is not to be used for oil paintings. Another thing to look out for is water-soluble materials you may have used in your art. You will have to seal up any artwork containing water-soluble marks with a fixative before you put on your varnish. If you don’t, you will have a messy watercolor staining/smearing situation on your hands when you apply the varnish. I suggest grabbing a practice paper with water-soluble marks to test the fixative out first and then test applying the liquid varnish on top. Make sure you let the fixative dry completely before you apply the liquid varnish. Also, make sure you apply enough of the fixative and that it covers all of your painting before applying the liquid varnish in order to prevent smearing. Once you are satisfied with the test and feel comfortable that it is working and not smearing, then move forward to apply both the fixative and then the liquid varnish to your finished art.
How to Sign Your Artwork
It may sound like a simple task, but there are a lot of variables that go into the process of signing your artwork. I’m going discuss a few roadblocks that can happen and offer some solutions.
Sign Before Varnishing and What Media to Use
You want your signature to remain on your sold artwork for many years to come. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to sign before you varnish your painting in order to extend the life of your signature. With that in mind, it’s very important to use the correct media for your signature. You can’t use anything water-soluble because the varnish will turn it into runny watercolor and ruin your signature. I recommend using a pen that is waterproof with permanent ink. Two good examples of this would be Faber-Castell’s PITT artist pens and Posca Paint Markers. I have used both to sign my art and have had great success. I will warn you to make sure you let your signature ink dry completely before going over it with a varnish, so it doesn’t smudge.
Gather Your Supplies
Posca Paint Markers and Faber-Castell’s PITT artist pens have waterproof, permanent ink. These are a great choice when looking for a pen to sign your paintings!
Dealing with Difficult Textures to Hand Sign On
One of the challenges I have faced in signing my art is the texture on the canvas. Sometimes either the texture of the paint, mixed media or coarse texture of the canvas itself makes it really difficult to sign your name. A solution for this issue is to create a smooth, flat surface where you can sign your name. You can do this by using a palette knife and heavy gel medium. The heavy gel will dry clear with a thin layer so there will be no need to apply more paint on top unless you want to. (Warning: Always test the transparency of the gel medium on a scrap painting canvas before you put it on your finished artwork.) Apply it to your canvas with a palette knife to ensure a thin layer goes on smooth onto the canvas. Let it dry completely and then sign your name onto the smooth, clear surface. This trick has made it so much easier to sign my art on difficult textured surfaces.
Where to Sign
I think it’s a good idea to be consistent with your signature when possible. Plan your composition around the area where you normally sign. It helps makes your work easily identifiable to collectors. One thing to keep in mind is to put your signature where it can be easily read but not to become a focal point in your art. You want the signature to be visible so people interested in your work can identify you, but also not be such a bullseye that it detracts from your artwork. Also, think outside the box. Don’t be scared to sign your art on the side of your canvas. This resolves the bullseye issue while also allowing the viewer to know your name.
Cursive or Print Signature and Why it’s Important
The most important thing about your signature is being able to read it. It is frustrating for a collector to see an artwork that they love but find a signature that is not legible. You will want them to be able to identify you so they can look you up and buy a piece for themselves. Your signature on your art can be a great marketing tool if you let it!
Tell Your Story
Leave a comment below with your art signing experience and any tips or suggestions!