Product Description
Traditional recipe final picture varnish and constituent of artists’ oil and egg tempera mediums.
Imparts clarity and depth when applied to fully dried oil paint films. Dries hard and clear.
Dries to a satin-gloss finish.
Product Code: 018
Constituents
Damar Resin, Distilled Gum Turpentine, Methylated Spirits (100%).
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Safety Data Sheet
Product Application
As an ingredient in Artists’ Mediums
Langridge Damar Varnish can be used as the varnish component in oil glaze mediums to add luminosity to oil colour. A basic formula for making a glaze medium is: 1 part each of Stand Oil, Distilled Gum Turpentine and Langridge Damar Varnish. Mix together. Add cobalt driers, if desired, to accelerate the drying rate as Stand Oil is slow drying. Do not make glaze mediums using Langridge Damar Varnish where the solvent content is not Distilled Gum Turpentine. Petroleum Distillate based solvents such as Langridge Low Toxic Solvent will lead to a slow drying oil film.
As a final Picture Varnish
Langridge Damar Varnish may be applied to fully dried oil paintings as a final Picture Varnish.
Lay the painting flat, face up, on a table. Position it so you can see light reflected from its surface. Pour some varnish solution into a clean cup. Load the varnish brush, then squeeze it against the inside of the container so that it holds a minimum of varnish. A dripping brush is too full!
Begin application at one corner of the painting, brushing on the varnish in one direction across the whole painting. Work quickly so that the surface receives as thin and even coating as possible. Working quickly and deliberately, since the varnish will set quickly, proceed in a systematic way across the surface of the painting. Check the work against the light from time to time to be sure all parts of the surface are receiving an equally thin coating.
After the entire painting has been varnished, allow it to sit for about 10 minutes before removing it from the table, then lean the painting against a wall, face in, to finish drying. Dust in the air cannot settle on the surface of the painting leaning face in, but be careful not to stir up any dust in the vicinity of the painting.
Discard any working varnish left in the cup. Working varnish should be considered contaminated and should not be returned to the stock bottle.
Langridge Damar Varnish dries to a satin-gloss finish. However, if a painting has major differences in gloss/matte reflection Damar Varnish may not completely even these out.
Langridge Damar Varnish is made by dissolving Damar Resin in Distilled Gum Turpentine to make a liquid. Brush or spray applied over paintings, the solvent will evaporate, leaving a thin, even coat of resin.
Artists’ oil colours dry by absorbing oxygen. Full drying generally takes between 3-6 months although it can take longer with extremely thick paint films (5mm or thicker). If needing a temporary protective varnish before full drying has taken place apply Retouch Varnish.
For acrylic paintings, artists should allow a minimum of 72 hours before applying a Langridge Picture Varnish.
Additional Product Information
Function of a Picture Varnish
A varnish is used to protect finished artwork and add or reduce the reflective quality and optical depth of the finished dry oil painting. Langridge Damar Varnish performs the following functions:
- Fully removable without disturbing the oil paint film underneath.
- Resistant to moisture and general pollutants.
- Creates a complete film of even reflective quality.
It is the varnish’s 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.
Overpainting a final Picture Varnish
As a general rule, Langridge does not recommend painting on top of a final picture varnish. It is likely that solvents in any medium applied onto the varnish will redissolve the resin creating issues of uneven drying and awkward paint application as the resin becomes sticky. Langridge recommends removal of the picture varnish with its appropriate solvent. After the solvent has evaporated painting may be resumed. Be aware when adding fresh paint to a dry painting that fat over lean principles must still be adhered to.
Working Properties
Thinning
Thin only with Distilled Gum Turpentine. Alternative solvents such as Artists’ White Spirit or Odourless Solvent are not compatible with Damar Resin and can result in a non-drying varnish.
Removal
Remove the varnish using Distilled Gum Turpentine.
Appearance
Langridge Damar Varnish is a clear liquid with a characteristic Gum Turpentine odour. The colour of the varnish will not affect the oil colours over which it is applied.
Clean Up
Clean brushes only with Distilled Gum Turpentine. For further washing apply a small quantity of Langridge Safe-Clean-Up or Marseille or other pure olive oil soap and massage the bristles of the brush to release any remaining turpentine. Wash thoroughly in warm water. Leave brushes to fully dry before using for oil colours.
Drying Times
30-45 minutes to touch dry. Any airflow over the surface will evaporate the solvent more rapidly which will reduce drying times.
Available in:
100ml (0181), 500ml (0185), Litre (018L), 4 Litre (0184)