The Final, Invisible Shield
The final step of any OilByHand commission is the Varnish. It is more than just a ‘glossy finish’; it is a critical archival component that protects the paint from the elements.
1. Protecting Against Time
Oil paint takes months to fully cure. Varnish acts as a barrier against dust, UV rays, and airborne pollutants. But more importantly, our professional-grade Damar or Synthetic varnishes can be removed and reapplied in 50 years by a restorer, allowing the painting to be cleaned without ever touching the actual paint. This is what makes it a ‘100-year’ object.
2. Depth and Saturaion
Beyond protection, varnish saturates the colors. It makes the darks deeper and the highlights more brilliant, bringing back the ‘wet’ look the painting had when the artist first finished it. It’s the final ‘polish’ that signals a piece is ready for its permanent place in your family history.