So, you’re ready to varnish your oil painting, but what should you use… Synthetic or traditional? High gloss or matt? Spray or liquid?
After combing through hundreds of buyer reviews and trying out many of these varnishes ourselves, we’ve compiled a list of the best ones available.
In this post, you’ll find out exactly how they’ll enhance the look of your painting (now and decades into the future), how you can replace old, tired varnish, and decide once and for all which is best for your painting. Let’s get started.
Contents
The Best Varnishes Compared
Product
Strength
Product Details
Best varnish for paintings that are only touch dry
- Can be used before an oil painting is fully cured, saving you a lot of time.
- A synthetic varnish option similar to damar varnish, but doesn’t yellow over time.
- Fully removable with Gamblin’s solvent, Gamsol.
Best gloss finish for oil paintings (liquid).
- Stays clear to keep your oil painting from yellowing.
- The gloss finish is removable once completely dry so you can replace it when it’s worn out.
- Can also be used on alkyd and acrylic paintings.
- Offers UV protection to keep your painting from discoloring.
Best spray for oil paintings with a glossy finish.
- Has an adjustable spray tip to control the coverage.
- Protects your oil painting from fading in UV rays.
- Removed safely with solvents.
- Versatile. Can be used as oil, pastel, watercolor, tempera, or acrylic painting varnish.
Best satin varnish for oil paintings (liquid).
- Stays clear to keep your oil painting from yellowing.
- The satin finish is completely removable once dry.
- Can also be used on alkyd and acrylics.
- Protects from harmful UV rays.
Best spray satin varnish
- Has adjustable spray tip to control dispensing for even coating.
- Protects the oil paint from damaging UV rays.
- Can be removed safely with solvents.
- Used to varnish oil, pastel, watercolor, tempera or acrylics.
Best matte varnish for oil paintings (liquid)
- Stays clear to avoid yellowing.
- Removable once completely dry.
- Can also be used as a final varnish on alkyd and acrylic paintings.
- UV protection to keep your painting from discoloring.
Best matte varnish for oil paintings. (spray)
- Adjustable spray tip to apply controlled, thin layers.
- Protects the oil paint from damaging UV rays.
- Can be removed safely with solvents.
- Used to varnish oil, pastel, watercolor, tempera or acrylics.
Best dammar (damar varnish) for oil painting.
- You can remove it with distilled turpentine.
- Darkens over time to create a patina finish/traditional look.
- Can be applied to alkyd paintings.
- Provides a high gloss finish that boosts the color quality of your piece.
Best retouch varnish for fixing ‘sunken in’ areas on touch-dry paintings.
- Temporary picture varnish that can be used before oil paints are fully dry.
- A thin coat protects your painting from dust and moisture as it dries.
- Dries very quickly.
Varnish Reviews
1. Gamblin Gamvar Picture Varnish
Overall Rating: 5/5
Sheen: Gloss
Removable?: Yes
Yellows Over Time?: No
Application: Applied with a brush
Ah, Gamvar… the impatient artist’s best friend. Gamvar is the first varnish you apply when your painting isn’t fully cured. Gamblin developed it with the help of the National Gallery of Art, and you can bet they did their homework.
Pros
- You don’t have to wait 6 months to a year to apply this magic varnish – your painting has to be touch dry.
- It also goes on clear, stays clear, and is completely removable with a little Gamsol and a soft cloth.
- It’s also virtually scent free and comes in gloss, satin, and matt.
Cons
- Some artists say a thin layer is almost too thin when compared to other options.
Gamvar is best for artists who want a varnish that’s nearly scentless, offers a variety of finishes, is completely removable, and can be applied much sooner than any other varnish.
2. Winsor & Newton Artists’ Gloss Varnish
Overall Rating: 4.9/5
Sheen: High gloss
Removable?: Yes
Yellows Over Time?: No
Application: Applied with a brush
Winsor & Newton’s gloss finish is a great choice if you only want to apply a few coats and be done. You just have to wait until each layer is completely dry before applying the next to your oil painting!
Pros
- Glossy Winsor & Newton varnishes are an excellent choice if Realism best describes your painting style. The gloss enhances the depth and colors of your painting, highlighting the details that make it realistic.
- It’s easy to apply with a brush, and only requires a few coats, saving a ton of time.
Cons
- Some artists dislike the strong smell of Winsor & Newton’s high gloss.
- Although the gloss brings your painting to life, this gloss has a very high shine which can make it difficult to photograph due to the glare.
3. Golden Archival Gloss Varnish (Spray)
Overall Rating: 4.9/5
Sheen: High gloss
Removable?: Yes
Yellows Over Time?: No
Application: Spray on
Winsor & Newton’s high gloss finish is great for artists who paint realistic artworks. It accentuates the details of your piece, and you control the gloss level by adding more (or less) coats.
Pros
- The high gloss is easy to apply with Golden’s adjustable spray nozzle.
- You can make it a very high gloss finish by adding 20-50 coats.
- It dries quickly, so you can apply the next layer ASAP.
Cons
- Some customers complained removing the cap was quite a struggle, but were happy with the product inside once they were able to open it.
4. Winsor & Newton Artists’ Satin Finish
Overall Rating: 4.9/5
Sheen: Satin finish
Removable?: Yes
Yellows Over Time?: No
Application: Applied with a brush
Winsor & Newton satin varnishes are the perfect middle ground between high gloss and matt. Particularly if you have time to brush and wait… brush and wait… until you’re satisfied with the layers.
Pros
- The smell is temporary and disappears entirely in just a few days.
- The soft, satin finish creates a gentle luster that spreads smoothly over the entire piece.
- Artists love how easy it is to apply with a brush once their painting is dry.
Cons
- If applied too liberally, this satin finish can show streakiness. To avoid this, keep your layers thin, and don’t get greedy!
5. Golden Satin Finish (Spray)
Overall Rating: 4.9/5
Sheen: Satin finish (between gloss and matt)
Removable?: Yes
Yellows Over Time?: No
Application: Spray on
Want the same satin finish, but can’t wait days? Start shakin’ your spray can and get to work. Golden makes it easy to add a little luster to your painting with their adjustable nozzle.
Pros
- Golden’s adjustable nozzle makes applying varnish much more controlled.
- Many artists are shocked by how evenly the spray covers the canvas.
- Each layer is very fast-drying and you can keep applying varnish to the paint surface until you’re satisfied with the final look.
Cons
- Once again, Golden seems to put their lids on tight to avoid mishaps, and some customers say it’s difficult to remove the first time.
6. Winsor & Newton Artisan Matt Varnish
Overall Rating: 4.9/5
Sheen: Matt (flat appearance with no gloss)
Removable?: Yes
Yellows Over Time?: No
Application: Applied with a brush
Matte is for the artist who doesn’t mind losing a little depth in their painting AND softening the hard edges. You’ll have to have the patience to let each coat dry… no rushing!
Pros
- Artists are impressed by how smoothly Winsor & Newton Matt varnish goes on.
- The matt finish dries in just a few hours if humidity is low.
- It’s applied easily to your painted surface with a brush and a few thick layers (well, thicker than the spray).
Cons
- As I scoured review pages, I found only one complaint for Winsor & Newton’s Matt finish: the smell. But it seems using better ventilation does the trick.
7. Golden Matte Varnish (Spray)
Overall Rating: 4.9/5
Sheen: Matt (flat appearance with no gloss)
Removable?: Yes
Yellows Over Time?: No
Application: Spray on
If you want a beautiful matte finish, but have ants in your pants, Golden’s spray matte is the best choice for you.
Pros
- Artists say it’s very light and easy to apply in multiple thin coats.
- The adjustable spray nozzle makes it easy to evenly coat your painting (unlike some brands, which leave large droplets behind).
Cons
- Pull out a screwdriver… These darn caps are the main issue with Golden’s spray varnishes, no matter the finish you choose.
8. Winsor & Newton Damar Varnish
Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Sheen: High Gloss
Removable?: Yes
Yellows Over Time?: Yes
Application: Applied with a brush
Damar varnish, one of the traditional varnishes, is a perfect choice if you want a patina finish as the years pass.
Pros
- The natural resins add a hint of yellow, giving it a lovely warm glow.
- And if the damar varnish ever becomes too yellow, you can remove Winsor & Newton’s with distilled turpentine and apply a fresh coat.
Cons
- If you use Winsor & Newton Dammar to varnish oil paintings, you’ll want to keep fresh air flowing since the smell really gets to some artists.
9. Winsor & Newton Retouching Varnish
Overall Rating: 4.7/5
Sheen: Slight Gloss
Removable?: Yes, but unnecessary
Yellows Over Time?: No
Application: Applied with a brush
Unlike everything else we’ve discussed in this post, retouching varnish can be painted over and acts as a temporary protective plastic film. It evens out the sheen and corrects sunken in areas, much like linseed oil.
Pros
- Winsor & Newton have succeeded in making a retouch varnish that doesn’t streak or bubble.
- It adds a beautiful gloss to paintings that are only touch dry.
- The sheen is very even and many artists are blown away by how well it brighten’s their piece.
Cons
- You have to avoid globbing on a thick coat of retouching varnish since adding too much can ruin your painting by stopping the drying process – especially on titanium white.
What Should I Use To Seal My Oil Painting?
Before you answer this, you’ll have to ask yourself, do you have plenty of time to let varnish coats dry, or are you crunched for time? This can help you decide between a brush or spray application.
If your painting is only touch dry, Gamvar is your best option by far. But if you have time to let your paint cure, a whole world of varnishes awaits.
Liquid/Brush-On
A liquid final varnish requires fewer coats, but more overall dry time. We’re talkin’ days. Fortunately, you can brush on a layer and sleep soundly while it dries. Sprays take less overall time, but more steps.
Spray Varnishes
If you want to be done with varnishing NOW, then spray is the way to go. Like liquid varnish, you’ll have to wait for each layer to dry before applying the next, but the wait time is only about 20 minutes vs hours.
Gloss vs Satin vs Matte
If you’re wondering how to choose between gloss, satin, and matte finish, here’s the scoop (also don’t stress too much, since most synthetic varnishes are removable).
Gloss
Gloss varnish accentuates the colors in your painting, making them appear richer, and creates more depth. It’s perfect for realistic paintings, though it is difficult to photograph the high shine.
Matt
On the opposite end of the spectrum, matt will brighten the darkest colors, removing the painting’s depth. Overall it will make your painting look flat. If you’ve worked hard on small details, you might be disappointed with a matt finish since it will soften your hard work greatly.
Satin
Satin is sandwiched right between the two – a matte finish with a bit of luster. This is a perfect happy medium between gloss and matt. One downside is satin can permanently lose its luster if you scrub it too hard, leaving you with a more matt-like finish.
Typically, gloss is best for realistic paintings, while matt is better suited for abstract pieces.
The Concern Of Yellowing
There was once a time when artists didn’t have access to the synthetic varnishes we have today.
Back then, the Old Masters used copal and amber to preserve their artwork, but these finishes yellowed severely and eventually cracked. Some artists today try to mimic this look and choose to use Damar and crackle paste to replicate old paintings.
However, if you want your varnish to go on clear and stay clear, you’re better off using modern varnishes, or synthetic, that resists yellowing.
Can You Make The Varnish Vanish?
After a few decades, your varnish might collect dirt, dust, or scratches. This means it’s done its job, and now it’s time for a new coat.
Most varnishes today are completely removable with conventional solvents like distilled turpentine or mineral spirits and a lint-free rag.
But it’s important to remember that these chemicals can be hazardous solvents. So, make sure you read the label before you start stripping off your picture varnishes!
Check out this post for step by step instructions.
Time To Varnish
Once you’ve decided how much time you need, the level of gloss you desire, and your preferred application method, you’re ready to seal your painting. If you’re seeking a soft, yellow Patina, damar varnish will certainly be the best option for you.
But if you’re looking for an option that’s available in three finishes, can be applied when your painting is only touch dry, and is completely removable, Gamvar is definitely the way to go.
