Thank you, that is kind of you to say. Glad it was of some help.

You're welcome. I am glad you found it of value. Thanks for the kind comments on my painting too! Cheers!

My pleasure:)

I'm glad you found it useful, thank you for the compliment.

Glad you found it useful.

You're welcome. Thanks for commenting.

Thank you that is very kind of you.

I'm glad you found it useful. Thanks for commenting.

@@CreativeWatersArt Thank you for your reply. I wasn’t sure if you were still active on KZfaq. I want to tell you that I really liked that painting that you applied the isolation coat to. I particularly like the composition. What size was that canvas that you painted it on?

@@crisphil2488 Thanks Cris, that is a 16" x 40" canvas.

Hi Candace, I always start in a corner, usually top left, so that I can move across the painting and always work into a wet edge. If you start in the middle you run the risk that when you get back to one side it can start to tack up on you. Although I have never had a problem with that as the isolation coat and even the varnish does not dry so fast as to cause a problem. I would just caution once you cover an area don't go back into it at the end. If it is starting to dry you can cause problems working back into it. I also position myself so there is a strong light off to the side where I can see if I missed any areas as I put on the isolation coat. Making sure to cover each area before moving on. The light shining on the surface will show missed areas. However by the time you finish covering a canvas that size the areas where you started can start to dry and look like they are uncovered. Resist the temptation to go back into it. Better to wait until it all dries and put on a second coat if you think you missed a spot.

CreativeWatersArt hank you for your reply. I have a few weeks probably until I do the isolation coat and will let you know how it goes.

You're welcome, thanks for commenting.

I would let the isolation coat dry overnight before varnishing.

Your welcome.

I'm glad you found it helpful, thanks.

It comes down to personal preference. Some people like the high-gloss finish although if its a bright area even if its not directly in sun I personally would go with Satin. Reflective light can distract from the work. Thanks for the kind comments.

You are welcome!

There is no need to use an isolation coat if you don't want. What it does is allow you to more easily remove the varnish at some future time without disturbing the underlying paint. For that matter there is no need to varnish but it does keep the painting protected from dirt and dust and make it easier to wipe down. Cheers!

MrUnterward Taunton press threads

Thanks for the comment. I typically use a standard but good quality brush that you would use for trim around the house. Just go for a 'soft' brush which I tell by feel at the hardware store or Lowes or Home Depot. The ones with the bristles that are split at the end and not as stiff seem to work well for varnishing acrylic paintings.

You can easily add a 2nd layer of your isolation coat, it won't hurt and will likely even out that spot. That is what I would do.

Hi Candace. I somehow missed your question, I'm sorry. Probably late now but I would wait a day to do a 2nd isolation coat but you can honestly probably put a second one on in a couple hours without problem (I have in the past). And then I would wait a day to varnish.

drewteacher Hi drewteacher. I'm not sure what you are reading but I have a container of Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) in front of me and the last 2 sentences under "Directions" says "Mix (2:1) Soft gel Gloss with water for use as an isolation coat. Clean with soap and water". I can tell you I have been using this for years and first learned of how to use this as an isolation coat at the website of Will Kemp Art School. (willkempartschool.com/adding-an-isolation-coat-to-an-acrylic-painting/) It works great for me, although I have to admit I have never tried to remove varnish from a painting yet. Hope this helps, and thanks for asking for clarification. The link above has a good in-depth discussion of isolation coats and how to apply them.

CreativeWatersArt Thanks for the reply. That's so interesting. In addition to your video, a workshop I took recently directed us to use it for an isolation coat. But the container I have in my studio says in bold letters: DO NOT USE FOR ISOLATION COAT. And labels I've seen online say that, too. However, in Golden video tutorials, it DOES show using it for isolation coats. But, it also shows a big disclaimer in those videos about not using it as an isolation coat for OIL paintings, maybe that's what they're referencing in the label.

+drewteacher I'm confused like you . My Golden Solf Gel medium jar says the same .DO NOT USE FOR ISOLATION COAT.

Hello...but is isolation coat really necessary because l am not going to make my painting last a lifetime.

The MATT soft gel says do not use for isolation, the GLOSS says yes for isolation. This means only use SOFT GEL GLOSS for isolation with a 2:1 ratio of gel to water.