Varnish "tactics"

RobK · Joined: 18 Nov 2011 Posts: 90 Location: Armidale

I've just completed a tour of the south island of NZ and of course stuck my head into every gallery that I came across. I found it really interesting to see that in my trip, the majority of artists used either a full gloss or semi-gloss varnish on their paintings. I've nearly always used matt finish believing that the painting is easier to look at and thus more accurately portrays the work.

Is the use of gloss varnish a tactic to attract buyers - perhaps somewhat along the lines of shiney bicycles selling better than flat painted ones etc., etc?

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3236

Shiny sells.

RobK · Joined: 18 Nov 2011 Posts: 90 Location: Armidale

Hmm, might have to give it a go on an upcoming project. Find it hard to believe, I'd really have to consider revarnishing something if I bought a painting that had a gloss coat. But baubles and bling sell more than toys and cars.

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3236

I used to use matt varnish as well but was advised to use gloss.
The painting can be harder to see but people don't seem to care.
Use oil painting primer and finish with gloss varnish for a very shiny surface.

fayeslane · Joined: 17 Jan 2012 Posts: 11

Shiny work is hard to photograph for websites etc. I am going to take my resin work to a professional photographer as I am sick of photographing my own reflection Sad

Tango · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1377 Location: Melbourne

Also some Gloss Varnishes have more Gloss than others, have a look at this chart you will see Winsor & Newton have rated the Gloss level of their Gloss Varnishes from X1 high gloss To X5 low gloss. http://www.winsornewton.com/assets/OSMV/usage%20charts/varnishes.jpg

RobK · Joined: 18 Nov 2011 Posts: 90 Location: Armidale

fayeslane · Joined: 17 Jan 2012 Posts: 11

RobK · Joined: 18 Nov 2011 Posts: 90 Location: Armidale

I'm not a photographer but I think if you got a polarising filter you might kill that reflection

fayeslane · Joined: 17 Jan 2012 Posts: 11

Tried a polarizing filter Rob with no success ( I'm no photographer either!). Also tried making a light diffusing tent from bed sheets, no improvement but took me back to my childhood Laughing

Below are a couple of early works, reflection and all! I am working on a black background currently and it is the worst reflector!

RobK · Joined: 18 Nov 2011 Posts: 90 Location: Armidale

I don't know the answer but if a professional photographer can do it... assuming one can, then I'd look very closely at what sort of filter is on the camera if you get a chance. Have you tried a photographer's forum?

fayeslane · Joined: 17 Jan 2012 Posts: 11

Photography is not my forte so if I can find a pro to do a good job I am happy to pay rather than do it myself (same story with framing). I have had a bit of look on the net for info and it seems that I would need to buy lights, reflectors etc. Putting poor pics on a website or submitting them for comps or gallery appraisal doesn't reflect well on the artist.

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3236

Set up two lamps either side of the artwork. Have the direction of the light hitting the artwork down at a forty five degree angle.
Ajust the camera's white balance to suit the lamps and take the photo in a dark or darkened room.

Eug · Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Posts: 214 Location: Melbourne

Devilbiss beat me to it Smile

Also make sure everything is squared up nicely in the viewfinder or on the screen (if your camera allows you to put a grid on the screen, use it), and use a tripod.

Chrissy D · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1056 Location: Queensland

This is the reason why I dont use gloss. However if you varnish with a matt first to photograph (as even a matt varnish hightens the colours more) and then overlay a gloss then it kills two birds with one stone, however I think you want to display the photos with the gloss varnish to attract buyers? So I have no solution for that.

Fayeslane -I would not have noticed you unless you pointed it out