PB&J Creations

 Varnishing Your Masterpiece !

First of all thank you for painting with me at a Pbjcreations art party. I hope you had a great  time painting and making your very own masterpiece. 

Now you need to protect it. So here's how to make your masterpiece look like one of those fancy ones that hang in the Art Galleries.

Before you start to varnish your painting, check to see if there is any chalk residue leftover from drawing. If so just use a clean paint brush ,cloth or sponge to clean off the chalk with clean water . It won't hurt a thing , I promise. You'll also want to go over the entire painting with the water so it will look even after it's dry. Once it is completely dry you can proceed with varnishing.

What you'll need 

A GOOD dense foam brush, don't get the cheaper ones they will disintegrate and make a mess of your painting .You'll also need Polycrylic CLEAR varnish it comes in different finishes. 
You can choose whatever you like, but  high shine gives it a very wet look and is my personal favorite.
I also suggest you get water based for easy clean up.
You'll want to protect the surface you are using to varnish your painting with a drop cloth.

Dip your foam brush into the varnish get a decent amount on the brush then begin coating the top of the painting. Using long strokes from one end of the painting to the other. If the varnish is looking milky you are using to much ,but no worries just spread the area out until it is looking clear.

Your painting will have areas that are highly textured the varnish will collect in these areas use the dry bottom corners of the brush to spread the varnish out that has collected into those areas.

Once the top is completed lift up one edge of the painting. By now your brush will have enough varnish on it to just finish each edge with one stroke. Turn the painting as you go. Once all the edges are done gently set the painting back down check the top again to make sure that there are no runs on the top of the painting from finishing the edges. If you find some gently smooth them out.

Lastly check to make sure you haven't missed a spot.  Get a light source on one side of the painting and drop down and look to see if you missed a spot, the area will look dry. If so just fill it in. Your art will be completely cured in 24 hours and ready to hang !

If you want to give it a second coat or you noticed you missed spot you can repeat this entire process just give the initial coat 24 hours to dry otherwise the second coat will look milky and gummy.

Thanks again for joining me at a Pbjcreations art party .
If you would like more information on paint parties or
to view some of my art please visit.

Pbjcreations