Q: I have several paintings on which I used Liquin as a
finish, and I'm wondering whether I can apply damar varnish over the
Liquin. Also, I recently read that one should never use Liquin as a
finish. Why?
A: Liquin has a tendency to dull oil paint, but a
varnish can bring back the brilliance of the colors. Damar varnish is
known to yellow with age and become brittle--effects which are both
caused by ultraviolet light and oxidation. You should look for a
varnish that is clearly labeled as a ìfinal painting varnish for oil
paints.î Sennelier, for instance, offers good varnishes in a variety of
finishes, including gloss, high gloss, matte, and satin.
--by Camille LaPointe-Lyons