Oil paint can take up to six months to dry.
A popular medium for many artists -- oil paints -- give a thick, bold and glossy appearance to paintings. Over time, however, the color can start to fade and, in some cases, the paint may even chip off. Seal oil paintings to retain the original bold colors of the artwork, as well as protect it from spills and reduce the chance of chipping or peeling. Damar varnish is a recommended sealant and works best when applied to a completely dry painting.
Instructions
1. Mix equal parts Damar varnish and turpentine in a small plastic bottle. An empty bottle of a travel-size shampoo or conditioner works well for this. The amount needed depends entirely on the size of the painting, but it's best to prepare slightly more than you think it will take to give the painting a thin coating.
2. Shake the bottle gently to mix the varnish and turpentine together. Set the bottle upright in a ceramic bowl.
3. Fill a large saucepan with water. Put it on the stove at high heat until small bubbles form on the bottom of the pan.
4. Pour the hot water in the ceramic bowl until the bottle of varnish mixture is at least halfway submerged. Allow the water to heat up the varnish mixture for 10 minutes. The higher temperature makes the varnish easier to apply.
5. Fill a second ceramic bowl with hot water. Set a glass pot in the ceramic bowl. A glass bowl can also be used if a glass pot is not available.
6. Pour half of the varnish mixture in the glass pot. Screw the lid back on the varnish bottle and place the bottle back in the ceramic bowl to keep it warm.
7. Dip a high quality paintbrush in the warm varnish. Brush the bristles against the edge of the glass pot to remove excess varnish. Gently press the tips of the bristles on a sheet of paper towel to get rid of any excess varnish that still remains in the brush.
8. Brush the varnish on the painting, starting from the bottom right corner, up to the top right corner. Immediately brush a second stroke over the first, starting at the top right corner and working down to the bottom right.
9. Move across the painting in columns, working at one strip at a time. Repeat this until the entire painting is covered, dipping the brush in more varnish as needed.
10. Rotate the painting 90 degrees. Brush the varnish on the painting using the same method as before.
