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Varnishing a Painting: I know it's a joy to get to this stage, when the painting is finished. You wait the appropriate amount of time for the painting to dry, 6-8 mos., some say 1 year for oil, and now you are ready to apply the varnish. I prefer the spray can. But lately, I am running into the problem of "spots" on my painting. I bought a new can and that also left some spots. I've been thinking of trying the paint on varnish, but hesitate. Can someone advise me on this? Ellie Fisch (12-08-08)

October 19, 2009. OK, I looked into this as much as I can and this is what I learned so far. Items purchased. Bottle of gloss finish dammar varnish, 500 ml size, small can of odorless turpenoid, small jar of distilled turpentine for oil color. Other items: a couple of clean empty glass jars, a couple clean empty cans from soup or tuna, a couple of heavy plastic dishes saved from fast foods, etc. for mixing. A couple of good soft bristle brushes about 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide. And a qt. heavy plastic drinking cup for hot water.

The varnish bottle was warmed by sitting it in the hot water for a few minutes. I poured some varnish into a mixing dish adding about a teaspoon or so of distilled turpentine, to make the thick varnish spreadable. By the way, the painting has to be completed dried and this can take from 6 mos. to a year if the paint is thick. Otherwise, your painting will smear. Brush with even strokes across your painting. Be aware that sometimes a bristle will stick on the painting and has to be removed immediately. I use an exacto knife. Put on at least 2 or more light coats, or what you think it needs. Keep the brushes only for varnishing. I have used spray matte finish varnishes, and while it protects, my personal preference is the brush on varnish. It brings out the colors.