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Jacksons Gloss varnish.

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Stuart Fraser

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Posted
Hi, not posted for a while so hello. I have just started on the first of 8-10 oil paintings that I will work on over the winter ready to exhibit next summer, and this brings me to my question about Varnish. Obviously so many paintings (including several still awaiting varnishing) can go through a fair bit of varnish... so after looking on Jacksons online, I liked the look and in particular the price Jacksons are selling their 1L tins of of gloss varnish at, so wondered if anyone has used and can recommend.

Stuart Fraser

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Posted
Or even provide an alternative?
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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I've not used Jackson's gloss varnish, but most of their products are of high quality and I wouldn't have any worries about this one. You know of course that you'll need to wait at least 6 months before applying it, whatever you use; that dammar varnish, while an old standby, may not be the best choice - although I have used it recently; more in hope than in confidence; and I would always ensure that whatever varnish I applied was removable - as most are.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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With Liquin? No, I wouldn't expect any issues with it - I wouldn't use too much of any medium, (define 'too much'.....) but many of us use it quite happily.
GS Feb 2022

Gudrun Ståhl Sharpley

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Posted
Gamlin Gamvar varnish. I am sure it says paintings need less drying time, but it is wise to double check. That, however, is not inexpensive!
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Nothing against Gamvar, but I wouldn't use any varnish on a painting before 6 months is up at the least, no matter what may be claimed for it. Retouch varnish can be used earlier, because it doesn't dry hard - in fact it doesn't dry at all: it's always tacky - but I don't like the stuff; and I certainly don't like the practice of laying retouch varnish down and painting on top of it, which I've known people to do.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Yes, irrespective of how fast the surface dries, what happens beneath the surface is a different matter: and even the fingernail test some advise isn't actually that informative: you still need to wait up to 6 months, or longer, before applying varnish.