How to protect a watercolor painting, Opium TalesHow to Mount, Seal and Varnish a Watercolor Painting Best Protection for Watermedia
I have to make an assumption.There are two types of people who will look up how to protect a watercolor painting.The buyer of the painting wants it to last a lifetime.I assume you are not the buyer.I assume you are the artist.
This article is for the artist, not the buyer.Let's talk about how to protect a watercolor painting.If you are a professional artist, your art is your legacy.
You are incredibly talented.We would love to know that your artwork will be around for hundreds of years because we want it to outlive you.
The problem with colors is that they fade.This is a problem for all art medium.The great Leonardo da Vinci faced this.
We will not cover oil or acrylics.I only cover watercolor and her cousin gouache.I assume you are painting on watercolor paper.This will work for watercolors on wood.
Let's discuss how to protect a watercolor painting.The only things you need are varnish and wax.I will note the ones I use.
You don't have to use the same brands.These are the brands that I use and I think they are excellent.I like the way my paintings look after being wax.First things first.
It is bad for your lungs to have varnish.I used to swim.I can hold my breath for a long time.
You can take your painting outside.Carefully read the bottle.You don't want to do this when it's really humid.
For two minutes, shake the bottle vigorously.You want to be able to do the whole shebang with only one continuous spray.
The painting is on top of a piece of cardboard.If you have to, you can use a moving box.I hold my breath and shoot.I put it on.
Wait for several hours.When you bring it back in, it won't be as bad because it has a strong smell.Don't leave it out overnight.You have to bring it in if it starts to get humid.When I lived in the South, the weather seemed to change on a dime.
I made a mistake when I bought this stuff.The bottle I bought was too small.I opened my bottle of Dorland's Wax Medium.It is great stuff.I bought the biggest bottle they carried.
After the painting is dry, I use a soft cloth and a chunk of wax to spread the wax over it.I put on a second layer of wax the next day.
It takes three nights to preserve your artwork.You don't have to watch the varnish dry and the wax settle.While waiting for this one to get ready, I always do the next piece of art.
Why did you wax it after applying the varnish?The added protection is given by the wax.It makes your painting look better.
After waiting another night, it is time to buff the wax.I use a paper towel.
The wax makes the painting shine.You will love how it looks.The girls really pop in my pinups.The wax makes the colors pop while also adding additional layers of protection for your watercolor painting.
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