What is the best finish for oil painting varnish? Gloss, satin, or matte?

Is one varnish finish technically better than another? How does each finish affect the look of the painting? Is one finish more desireable than another when selling an oil painting?What is the best finish for oil painting varnish? Gloss, satin, or matte?
Depends on the effect you want for the particular painting, and the personal taste of the viewer. Any varnish will ';brighten'; the colours and give the paint a more consistent quality - making up for inconsistency in the use of medium, especially one mixed with the brush as you go which can have varying proportions of turps or oil. I believe 19thC painters commonly used gloss because that shiny consistent finish was prized, along with consistent brushwork. Impressionists reportedly avoided varnish (except a little Damar in the medium as a drier) prizing the freshest possible effect from pigment and brushwork. I believe gloss provides the greatest protection, allowing simple surface cleaning, but the some find the shiny surface troubling; matte can diminish ';shine'; which can interfere with visibility of the painting (like glass) but tends to dull colours. Satin seems a useful compromise, offering some surface protection, possibly ';pulling'; the paintwork into more consistency. It presents a slightly permeable surface, offering less protection than gloss, but can be removed for cleaning if necessary. All varnishes interfere with the penetration of light into the oil paint, and out again, which contributes so much to the subtlety of oil compared with opaque paints. An oil will ';grow'; for a year or more and certainly should not be varnished for at least six months.What is the best finish for oil painting varnish? Gloss, satin, or matte?
I have no clue but needed to answer a ?! i dunno go to ask.com it might help!
I personally prefer to gloss it. but there are some subjects that you are painting that will look better with matte ( more natural ) its really up to you and the artistic eye. thats why its called art and everyone is different at it =)
varnish protects the painting longer. that's what i use on oil paintings after 6 months to avoid ruining the painting


varnish stays natural
i like damar varnish, and lotsa ppl use it also make glazes. i made the mistake of goin to a regular paint store and buyind their 'varnish'. Big mistake- art varnisg is different from household varnish. But it has given my piece an interesting 3d look. btw i love art and respect painters most of em
gloss is the best, makes it look a lil shiny and nice
You don't have to varnish an oil painting, but if you absolutely think you must, you have to consider what kind. Damar varnish is glossy and it is permanent. It yellows and becomes brittle with time. There are varnishes that re-dissolve with turpentine or mineral spirits. Also, varnishes can be applied with a brush or you can buy them in spray cans.


The varnishes that re-dissolve are technically better. As for glossy, satin, or matte--that is a matter of your personal taste. I myself prefer my paintings to have a matte finish. In this way, they can be viewed without any annoying glare.