I’ve never used retouch varnish before. I’ve got some areas of a painting that are full from drying but other areas next to them where the paint hasn’t dried. I’ve got some Damar Retouch varnish and I’m thinking of spraying the dry-er areas with some of that.
Any things I should look out for in doing this? Any risks with over spraying wet areas? I figure since it’s retouch I should be able to paint right over the retouch varnish once the retouch varnish dries?
Comments
The worst that can happen is the wet paint binds to the retouch varnish, making it impossible to remove the varnish for cleaning. If in the long term the painting is subjected to temperatures below 40f then cracking may occur in the varnish and take the bound paint with it.
Retouch varnish has the same components as normal varnish, solvent and resin. Retouch just has a higher proportion of solvent making for a thinner resin coating.
Denis
It's probably better to wait until your painting is completely dry then oil out rather than use retouch varnish. That way there's no risk. But I need to get works finished for my shows and sometimes I can't wait to oil out. That's one of the reasons why I don't use clove oil. Things take ages to dry. (The other reason is I hate the smell) If you are not pressed to get work finished then it's probably better to wait but with experience you'll get a feel for whether retouch is ok or whether you need to wait a bit longer.