Retouch Varnish Question

[Kimberly Dow]

For anyone interested....

I ordered some Dorland's wax and used it today in some Retouch. I use the bottled retouch, not the spray.

I am VERY pleased with the results.

I was concerned because when I melted the wax, it didnt melt runny like I thought it would. I mixed it into the retouch, and mixed, and mixed some more....and there were still small pieces of wax kinda floating around. I decided to try it on an older piece anyway because the pieces seemed to blend in as soon as my brush picked them up. It looked great - gave a nice even sheen that is more matte than it is shiny.

I also used a cheap black foam brush today for the first time. It worked wonderful. Ive never found a decent varnish brush that didnt lose hairs while varnishing.

I agree with Virgil that if you dont have to use retouch it is best to wait, but I have a couple pieces going out to shows that had uneven shiny vs. matte areas and Ive never had much luck with oiling taking care of that completely. So, since it was too early to do a final varnish - this has done the trick.

Now I just need to find a better area to do this in. Im fairly certain I lost a few brain cells today while varnishing. Im not sure I have any extras to spare, so I best shape up.

[Marcus Lim]

Originally Posted by Kimberly Dow

I ordered some Dorland's wax and used it today in some Retouch. I use the bottled retouch, not the spray. I am VERY pleased with the results.

???
What's Dorland's wax, and what's it for? Can you please enlighten me Kim?

[Kimberly Dow]

Marcus,

Dorland's is the brand - and it is a painting medium. It is a creamy wax and resin mixture. There are a lot of artists out there who use this with paint and achieve some really interesting effects. I do not know how they do this exactly though. This was my first time using it on advice from others. What it did for me was dull down the shine on the Retouch. Apparently if I were to buff the painting with a soft cloth now it would become shiny - just like waxing a car perhaps? But if left alone it is nice and matte.

Perhaps another artist more informed can explain how it is used as a medium with paints? Virgil?

[Bobbi Baldwin]

Kimberly,
This is a great topic. I use retouch varnish all the time in glazing techniques as an in between stage to refresh the gloss of my painting. I have been glazing with layers for years and really enjoy the effect. I did however meet an artist who once also was a wax sculptor. She showed me how to use the wax and used it just like you would use any other medium by mixing small amounts into the paint as you paint. The painting turned out to have this really beautiful natural look to it. Something that I have always wanted to try again. So, Virgil, or anyone else, I would love to hear more on this subject. Thank you for bringing it up.
Also, on the animal hair ... It's unavoidable, to be an animal lover and your studio is in the house (or is it that you live in your studio?) as many artists have to do or choose to do. Thus, unfortunately my cat's hair will become the way that historian verify fakes vs. authentic paintings in hundreds of years especially my early work! ... That and the bugs that get into plein air paintings.

Bobbi