Should you varnish your finished paintings, or leave them bare?

I only began varnishing my oils a year ago as I noticed the colors were more vibrant and the painting was better protected from scratches and chips with time. It IS super important that the painting be completely dry first, however, which. takes me about a month or two before I varnish. Also, you have to be sure you are happy with it as-is, because once you varish, you can't go back in and improve it at a later date.....one of the reasons I didn't varnish in the past. I always use MATTE varnish rather than glossy as well yet still take my art photograph prior to the application of varnish to prevent any glare for marketing photos. I think the matte varnish not only presents better in galleries but also in homes.

A lot of artists do not know that acrylic paints normally stay tacky; it may not feel tacky to the touch, but they attract fine dust. Always varnish.

I tend to varnish. I personally like the way it makes my deep colors recede and stay fresh looking. I also will use a satin or flat varnish as well. That way I cut down the sheen without diminishing the depth of color.

I appreciate how UV Mat varnish evens out the glossy nature of some acrylic colors.

I am of the crowd that thinks varnish is important not only to protect the piece, but adds a vibrance to the colors. That said, adding a varnish takes time to cure which means it can't be framed and has to be protected from dust and dirt settling into the varnish. Admittedly, I have a lot of paintings just sitting around unvarnished and unframed.

I varnish all my paintings. I was informed it protects the painting and I like how it impacts the colors and make them vibrant.

I know nothing about oil but varnish with UV-stuff can also help acrylics colors from fading. Alcohol ink can be fast faded and washed out without protection.

I use matte varnish, satin varnish, and gloss varnish.... It depends on the mood, depth, and the protection needed for the piece

I think it protects the painting. Don't know if it always makes the colors sing, sometimes it muddies them but I like to feel that I am selling or giving someone I completely finished and protected surface. I use satin or flat varnish I don't like very shiny surfaces although they can be appropriate for some paintings.

I work a lot in the mixed media field, and thus not exclusively with colors. As soon as other materials are involved, painting becomes difficult. Therefore, sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Varnish is optional; some work needs varnish, others don't; each work is different.

Timely question: I have finished all the paintings for my solo exhibition in December. I was initially thinking of varnishing, but have had major issues with bigger pieces, one being literally ruined. My abstracts/ mixed media, No: I've found varnishing reduces the texture and 3D effect.

I use a lot of gloss medium and glazing in my more realistic paintings which gives great colour and the hue has subtle changes depending on where you are looking from. My framer couldn't tell that they are not varnished and have increasingly seen artists not varnishing. Picasso literally wrote on the back of a number of his pieces "Do Not Varnish" and they seemed to have survived. I have varnished some works which has added effect that I've liked and others not so much. So I would have to go optional and intent. BTW can you tell if this one is varnished or unvarnished and what medium?

I occasionally varnish, sometimes a spot varnish on the eyes of an animal I've painted adds a little something.

I use matte varnish, satin varnish, and gloss varnish for my acrylic paintings, and it' depend of the look I need for that particular work, Also i think it's give a good protection.

I voted never varnish, but then, I'm a photographer, not a painter (so far - age may force me to change eventually). I like to see my images printed on a framed canvas. Varnishing puts a gloss that frequently detracts from the presentation. I'll probably change my mind when I change my medium, though.

@ Hollis Vance, since my preferred medium is airbrushing, clear coating is essential, not only to make the image pop but to preserve and protect it plain and simple.

Essential for protection, and even when a correction is necessary after finishing. I remove the varnish layer to work on the paint itself, without wearing down the texture, for example.

I do not varnish as I do not like the look on my contemporary expressionist paintings. Plus I sometimes add or change something in them. Instead I use a matte medium on top to seal them. It seems to work fine. Does anyone else to do this?

I never varnish my oil or acrylic paintings. I don’t see the point. I have paintings over twenty years old and they look like the day I painted them.

I varnish all my artworks also for protection of coulor!

Good practice in my opinion

It depends which painting I would say. I prefer without , although I already used glossy varnish on some of my works on which I wanted it to give them an extra depth when the light hit on them. Certainly the heavy layered abstract works . While others didn't need that extra shine.

@Hollis Vance ,hi Hollis I use Acrylics and I use a medium that's slightly got a sheen and I find there's no need to varnish. If water is used the finish is very matt, like oil paint when turps is used

Personal I like a gloss finish on my contemporary abstract fluid paintings. It may not be appropriate for some paintings. I think the type of painting may impact the type of varnish used

I always varnish much better protective finish also

Looks more professional and enhances

If your canvas was already primed before you started your quest..no especially with acrylic but your choice satin is best if you like to do so..

I don't varnish my painting. Over time varnish cracks. Also I glaze them a lot, and that already requires the use of varnish. But maybe I should try varnishing them to see the difference. Opinions?

It will enhance and enrich the colour of your painting.

Good question I dont varnish just cos I dont own it.

I don't varnish mine, never really thought about it