Gamblins varnish directly onto dry paint!
Gamblins Gamvar makes it possible to use final varnish without waiting for months up to six months!
Gamvar can be applied when the painting is already surface dry, the varnish breathes and the painting can dry deeply afterwards. Perfect for those who are going to exhibit, frame or sell a painting to a customer.
We are happy to announce that in February we are expecting several of Gamblin's products to be added to our range, which can be purchased both in the frame workshop in Enköping and in the online store konstochram.se, perhaps as the first store in Sweden!
Don't wait to order, our stock is limited and may run out quickly!
Gamvar can be used on both acrylic and oil paintings, water-based oil paints and over gold leaf if the painting contains it. Removed if necessary with Gamblin Gamsol.
Gamblin developed the Gamvar varnish in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art in Washington, USA, to produce a better varnish for artists and the conservation of art. The varnish came on the market just over 15 years ago and is now one of the most popular varnishes on the market as it can be applied when the painting is only surface dry, which means you don't have to wait many months.
Here you can download the instruction sheet 'Varnishing made easy' in English for Gamvar varnish.
When should I varnish?
Feel with your fingernails on the thickest area to see if the surface is springy.
Gamvar can be applied by brush when the paint is dry to the touch and solid in the thickest areas. A thinly brushed oil painting with a few coats can be ready to be varnished with Gamvar in as little as 2-3 weeks. Painting with a thicker texture may require 1-2 months, depending on the thickness.
How long does it take to dry?
Gamvar dries solely by solvent evaporation. A thin layer of Gamvar usually dries tack-free within 18–24 hours.
In warm, dry weather with good air circulation, it is not uncommon for Vultures to dry in as little as 4–6 hours. Cold temperatures and particularly high humidity will increase the drying time by several hours.
Can I mix different Gamvar varnishes?
Yes, Gamvar Gloss, Gamvar Satin and Gamvar Matte can be mixed.
How are Gamvar Satin and Matt applied?
Applying satin or matte varnish to a painting:
- Shake the bottle well before use to ensure the mattifying agents are well distributed. (The mattifying agents settle to the bottom of the bottle when not in use.)
- Apply a thin layer of varnish by scrubbing vigorously with the brush. Try to cover as much of the painting with as little varnish as possible.
- After the scrubbing motion, blend out the motion with the brush. If there is excess varnish, remove it by wiping the brush on lint-free paper towels or a piece of cotton wool and pulling off the excess varnish.
When using Gamvar Satin or Gamvar Matte, it is best to apply a single thin coat and not apply multiple coats. Multiple coats of either Satin or Matte can dry to an uneven finish or give a tacky feel, as the second application will recreate the mattifying agent in the first coat.
Can I use Gamvar's different varnishes on gold leaf?
Gamvar can be used on paintings that have gold or metal leaf incorporated into the artwork. Gamvar Gloss is the best choice for these paintings, as both Gamvar Satin and Gamvar Matte contain matting agents that reduce the reflective properties of the metal leaf.
If I paint with strong texture/impasto - what should I keep in mind?
When applying Gamvar to a heavily textured impasto style painting, pay extra attention to areas where varnish "pools". We recommend using a dry brush to soak up excess varnish. Use a stack of paper towels to remove varnish from the brush throughout the process.
How do I clean the brush?
You don't need to clean the brush when you're done. Just lay it flat to dry.
How do I remove Gamvar from a painting?
Gamvar varnish can be safely removed with Gamblins Gamsol.
Gamsol is such a mild solvent with low dissolving power that using it to remove Gamvar will not damage oil or acrylic paintings.
Gamvar removal instructions:
- Take a small cotton cloth the size of a washcloth and saturate it with Gamsol. This is your dissolution cloth.
2. Use a gentle circular rubbing motion to dissolve a few square centimeters of the polish at a time (Gamvar dissolves within seconds).
3. Immediately wipe away the dissolved Gamvar with another dry cotton cloth.
4. Unfold and refold the cloth as needed to ensure it remains absorbent. Usually there is enough difference in surface gloss to see where Gamvar has been removed. When it is difficult to see where the varnish is being removed, work systematically, section by section, to keep track of where the varnish has been removed.
5. A final wipe with a clean cloth and Gamsol will help remove any remaining varnish.
Also check out Gamblin medium and drying medium.
