03/20/2026
VARNISHING! I find varnishing to be a lot of work. There's the streaks, the bubbles, the puddles and dry patches, the pet hair and the tiny fibers. So many hairs and fibers! If you miss them and don't remove them, they're there forever as part of your art. So you pick them out of the varnish as best you can, finish the varnish job, make a little sigh and take a rest. But then new pet hairs and little fibers floating along the air currents make their way onto the wet varnish and you have to pick those off too. I once got the idea to make a piece of art with a bunch of my pets' hair purposely included, just for a laugh.
I've had some heartbreaking moments from bad varnishing jobs. I've learned things the hard way. Fortunately I've learned those lessons and it's easier now, but still a lot of work. Artists - what are your tips for a flawless varnish job, or at least to make things a little easier?
