varnishing St Peter

Caravaggio

I have just about finished a 5' x 4' painting of The Crucifixion of St Peter, what I would like to know is how long does it take before I can varnish.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/935322_4867849542068_1638460017_n.jpg

dencal

Caravaggio

So much depends on:

# thickness of paint
# thickness and type of gesso layer/s
# type of stain/ground used
# medium/s and solvents used
# ambient temperature and humidity

As a general rule you can retouch varnish when the paining is touch dry and formed a skin. Usually about a week or ten days. Some artists use retouch over wet paint.

Final varnish is best left for at least six months.

Denis

dencal

Carravagio

Here is a good web link on varnishing with a report to download.

http://www.whentovarnish.com/

Denis

Caravaggio

Thank you for that, I will have to put the painting away otherwise the temptation is to keep working on it.