PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET retouch varnish Product Description Temporary varnish for paintings six months or younger. Revives dull areas caused by sinking-in of paint. Helps adhesion of subsequent paint layers. Product Code: 016 Constituents: Ketone Resin, Artist’s White Spirit. Product Application A varnish is used to protect finished artwork. Langridge Retouch Varnish performs the following functions:. Be fully removable without disturbing the oil paint film underneath.. Be resistant to moisture and general pollutants.It is the varnishes’ function to prevent dirt reaching the paint surface. It is much easier to remove a dirty varnish and replace that than to remove dirt from the painting itself, potentially damaging the paint film. Artists oil colours dry by absorbing oxygen. For full drying this process generally takes between 3-6 months although it can take longer with extremely thick paint films (5mm or thicker). When a painting has a drysurface film (touch dry) it may be protected with the application of a temporary varnish that will allow the passage of oxygen to the oil paint and continue the succesful full drying of the painting.A final picture varnish applied before the 3-6 month drying period will prevent thorough oxygenabsorption leading to potential oil paint film failure due to erratic drying. To ascertain whether the paintings’ surface is dry and can receive a varnish without disturbing the colours, take a clean white, lint-free cloth and dampen with Gum Turpentine. Choose an inconspicuous part of the painting (e.g. corners) and gently rub 2-3 times with the damp cloth. Examine the cloth to see if anydiscernable quantity of colour has been removed. If colour appears on the cloth the paintings’ surface is still not dry and should be left for a few more days and the process repeated. When very little or no colour is present on the cloth the Retouch Varnish may be applied. It should be noted that because Retouch Varnish has very low-solids it does not significantly alter reflective qualities. If a painting has major differences in gloss/matte reflection Retouch Varnish will not even these out. Retouch Varnish applied over a gloss painting will retain its gloss reflection. Langridge Retouch Varnish is made by dissolving ketone resin in Artist’s White Spirit to make a liquid. Brush or spray applied over paintings, the solvent will evaporate, leaving a thin, even coat of the resin. Remove the varnish using Artist’s White Spirit. ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION Reviving dull areas of a painting. If a support for painting (eg canvas) is poorly primed, oil colours will ‘sink-in’ to the surface and exhibit a dull and lifeless colour reflection. The oil from the paint is absorbed into the support, leaving the pigment underbound. Apply Retouch Varnish as a rapid sizing agent. Brush apply as a very thin layer. Allow 2 hours before applying further oil colours on top. Adhesion problems When very fluid glazes are applied on top of a layer of glossy paint such as paint mixed with stand oil based painting mediums there may be issues regarding adhesion. The application of a very thin layer of Retouch Varnish to the touch dry paint surface will help with the adhesion of succeeding paint layers. Be aware that the application of Retouch Varnish may disturb paint films if not fully touch dry. WORKING PROPERTIES Thinning Appearance Clean Up Drying Times Available in: |
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