I do work in all mediums, so for my acrylics and oils, I just frame them, but for my graphite, colored pencil, watercolor, gouache, and pen & ink, I mat, glass, and frame... except I have been waxing a lot of my watercolor and no mat/glass required. I do offer most of my work framed or unframed, but if entering a show, it has to be frame…
I do work in all mediums, so for my acrylics and oils, I just frame them, but for my graphite, colored pencil, watercolor, gouache, and pen & ink, I mat, glass, and frame... except I have been waxing a lot of my watercolor and no mat/glass required. I do offer most of my work framed or unframed, but if entering a show, it has to be framed. I've been trying to standardize my sizes more so if a piece doesn't sell at a show, I can remove it from the frame (mat/glass) and pop in another for a different show. But sometimes an existing frame doesn't well with a particular piece.
Gary, your mention of waxing peeked my interest. I work with egg tempera and have recently been using a wax medium (Dorland’s) to finish my paintings with. I have been curious about trying it on watercolours as well. Do you need to spray anything on the wc first before waxing them?
David, I haven't sprayed my watercolors with anything so far, I usually apply 3 thin coats of Dorland's wax, letting dry, then buffing each layer. Some people have said they use a UV spray first before waxing but I don't.
Yes, I rub it on, straight from the jar. I use my fingers. I tried with neoprene gloves but it's hard to feel the coverage. So far haven't had any allergic reactions to the wax, but I only use it once a month or two. If I was waxing every day I might go back to the gloves.
I have finished several watercolours by glueing onto a prepped surface like birchwood cradled panel sealed with GAC100. I use matte medium as a glue as it is archival. Once dry, you coat the surface of the watercolour (no other fixative needed) with cold wax medium and gently buff off the excess. Done! A matte finish, repels water and preserves the painting.
Thanks Barbara. Since I last posted, I pulled out a small (not so good) watercolour and rubbed on a layer of Dorland’s wax medium. I will buff it tomorrow, and probably repeat that process in the coming days. Thanks for your input.
David, I just realized your the egg tempera painter from Canada. I believe you and I are the only egg tempera painters here. I varnish with Krylon mate finish. It leaves the surface looking much the same as the semi gloss surface in unvarnished tempera. I’ve never used wax medium. Have you sprayed with Krylon.
No Ed, I haven’t used anything yet except the wax medium. So far I like it a lot. I’m afraid that the mat varnish might change the appearance, even although very slightly.
I do work in all mediums, so for my acrylics and oils, I just frame them, but for my graphite, colored pencil, watercolor, gouache, and pen & ink, I mat, glass, and frame... except I have been waxing a lot of my watercolor and no mat/glass required. I do offer most of my work framed or unframed, but if entering a show, it has to be framed. I've been trying to standardize my sizes more so if a piece doesn't sell at a show, I can remove it from the frame (mat/glass) and pop in another for a different show. But sometimes an existing frame doesn't well with a particular piece.
Gary, your mention of waxing peeked my interest. I work with egg tempera and have recently been using a wax medium (Dorland’s) to finish my paintings with. I have been curious about trying it on watercolours as well. Do you need to spray anything on the wc first before waxing them?
David, I haven't sprayed my watercolors with anything so far, I usually apply 3 thin coats of Dorland's wax, letting dry, then buffing each layer. Some people have said they use a UV spray first before waxing but I don't.
Gary, I assume that you rub the wax medium on. I have heard of a process of dissolving it in mineral spirits, and then brushing it on?
Yes, I rub it on, straight from the jar. I use my fingers. I tried with neoprene gloves but it's hard to feel the coverage. So far haven't had any allergic reactions to the wax, but I only use it once a month or two. If I was waxing every day I might go back to the gloves.
Thanks Gary. That is what I do as well.
I have finished several watercolours by glueing onto a prepped surface like birchwood cradled panel sealed with GAC100. I use matte medium as a glue as it is archival. Once dry, you coat the surface of the watercolour (no other fixative needed) with cold wax medium and gently buff off the excess. Done! A matte finish, repels water and preserves the painting.
Thanks Barbara. Since I last posted, I pulled out a small (not so good) watercolour and rubbed on a layer of Dorland’s wax medium. I will buff it tomorrow, and probably repeat that process in the coming days. Thanks for your input.
David, I just realized your the egg tempera painter from Canada. I believe you and I are the only egg tempera painters here. I varnish with Krylon mate finish. It leaves the surface looking much the same as the semi gloss surface in unvarnished tempera. I’ve never used wax medium. Have you sprayed with Krylon.
No Ed, I haven’t used anything yet except the wax medium. So far I like it a lot. I’m afraid that the mat varnish might change the appearance, even although very slightly.