after u finish painting a painting, do u need a coat of finishing paint or gloss or some sort of coating?

Answer 1

A varnish has two functions:

1. To protect the artwork. A varnish will absorb minor surface damage while leaving the artwork unharmed. Varnishes are designed to be removeable, so if the work gets dirty, conservators can remove the varnish (and the dirt with it), clean the work, and put a coat of varnish back on the painting to protect it. Some varnishes even come with a UV protectant in it to protect the colors in the painting from fading in sunlight.

2. To enhance the artwork. Varnishes unify the sheen of your painting. Matte areas and glossy areas will appear the same under a varnish.

Depending on whether you need to protect or to unify the sheen of your painting should determine if you want to varnish a painting. These guidelines apply to acrylic, oil and egg tempera paintings. Watercolor and gouache paintings do not need a varnish.

Answer 2

Depends if it's acrylic or oils. Neither really don't need it unless you are professional and/or you want a very long life to your painting - like indefinitely. You can use transparent clear gels and/or varnish which come in matte,semi-gloss and gloss. Don't use too much. Using too much will create a 'haze'. I have used 2 coats of high-gloss for my purposes which brings a crispness enhancing the colors.....and you must wait between coats about 2-4 hours. Hope this helps...............:-)

Answer 3

I would suggest a clear coating for longevity, but if you're putting the coating on oils, you have to wait for the oil paintings to dry out completely for a few months before doing that. Acrylics you could add the coating to right after it dries.

Answer 4

i would recommend it, use the spray finish, follow the directions, it will protect your artistry for years to come.