We liked very much the emphasis on the artist's choice in the matter, and explaining the role varnish has in the appearance of colors. Sometimes artists are unprepared for the darkening effect gloss products will have on their colors. Another factor we hear artists discuss is the role of varnish in preparing a painting for installation at a collector's home- if the lighting situation is difficult in terms of glare, matte varnish is a good option. Varnish also makes it easier and safer for the collector to dust and maintain a work of art, instead of contacting the bare paint. Good information about acrylic paint porosity, too. Nice!

Glossy surfaces reflect the surroundings, which can obscure an underlying image, especially when viewed from an angle. There is also the technique of applying matte medium (or varnish?) over gloss, which can approximate the look of encaustic. What fun! Thanks for the information, Michele!

I’ve found satin finish best for me. I mix gloss to matte 50/50. Colors are enhanced, but less reflections. But otherwise, quite informative. Thank you 😊

Thanks, again, for a very informative video. You always give information that is rarely given by anyone online. Thanks!!!

Thanks! As usual, your answer leads to more questions in my mind, but don't want to get off track since I don't currently have any paintings to varnish! But love the idea. BTW: I love your beautiful ombre hair! You are a lovely woman. Just saying! Have a great day!

I’ve done both matte and gloss varnishing. It depends on the painting which I use. Sometimes both on one painting.

Thankyou so much for your video! I love hearing the passion you have for art and the way you teach and explain has taught me so much! I look forward to watching more of your videos.❤ From Australia Leanne and 🐻

I'm also in the satin finish camp. I like the colour depth but not so reflective.

i wonder if anyone ever combined different varnishes on a same painting. Like varnish with gloss only parts of a painting that have objects that would give of such look, like glass for example. And have other parts of a painting covered with matt varnish.

Thank you for a very informative video, and I'm off to watch "How and Why to Varnish..."

👋would Damar resin in cold wax medium risk cracking. Is the 30 - 50% ratio preventative?

Can I varnish with matte medium if I haven’t used gesso on my acrylic painting ?? (Which I did on raw canvas)

Can I use a removable gloss spray varnish as an isolation coat for a large Acrylic painting?

Help! I am very new to attempting to paint correctly (self-taught) and I may have made a mistake. I did an acrylic painting and ran out of black acrylic, so I decided to do my black details with black gouache paint. I had it on hand. Now I want to varnish my painting with gloss varnish because the majority of my painting has a glossy look but after researching varnish, I found out that gouache paint will be ruined if I try to varnish it. Panicked, I chose to purchase some acrylic black and paint over the gouache with acrylic in hopes that I can now varnish it with Liquitex gloss varnish. Will it work? I'm afraid to try because I really don't want to ruin my painting. I know I've already made a critical error but, I do love my painting and want it to last and be vibrant. ??

my question is, did old masters use gloss varnish because they wanted to add depth, or is it because it's all they had?

Straight talk ,give an answer and example.