Question for oil painters!!!

[Carol Murray]

Hi all,

 

Im new to this site, I was told about it and as I really need advice, I decided to check it out.

I have been doing oil painting for years but Ive never done it outside (yes i know this is a "plein air" group so I apoligise in advance) but Ive looked everywhere and you seem to be my last hope.

 

I am planning on advertising doing commissions of pet portraits and as most should know...oil paint should not be varnished until 6-12 months after the painting is complete (depending on the medium used). I have done commissions before but no deadlines.

 

My main question is...what if some people get impatient and expect their commission before the 6 months is up? (as i cant varnish it until then).

 

How do you oil painters deal with this or what advice do you have?

 

Any will be appreciated. Thank you.

Carol M.

[Plein Eire Administrator]

Hi Carol,

Welcome to Plein Eire.

    Oils are not always varnished. The material is quite tough once it hardens completely. Advise your clients not to hang their new painting over a heat source as convection will draw dust over the surface (even a radiator). Obviously over an open fire is worse.

    It would, however, be sensible to varnish after 6 months. So, attach your business card to the back of the painting, dated, with instructions to contact you after that time. If you have a diary, you can arrange to ring to remind them- they're sure to be impressed and its a good excuse to maintain contact - you may even get a referral for another job from the call. If the client lives too far away, he/she can take the painting into a reputable framer to do the varnishing. It should be taken out of the frame first. Varnish used today is made to be removed easily and replaced when necessary so should be regarded as ongoing maintenance rather than a once-off procedure.

    Varnish will enrich especially darker areas in your painting. To hand over the painting looking its best, after it has been touch-dry for a few days, coat it with retouching varnish (sometimes called 'exhibition varnish') a day or so before handing it over. Alert the owner to the fact that this will diminish in time and need full varnishing in 6 months.

The alternative is to frame the painting under glass. which, if undertaken, should have a spacer to separate the glazing from the painting surface.

Hope this helps.

[Carol Murray]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate this. Ive been wondering how to deal with this for a long time now and you have sorted it for me. I shall go buy some retouching varnish ASAP.

 

Thanks again.

Ill definately be back for more tips and I hope to be of some help to others when they need it also.

Carol M.

[Myles Farrell]

Carol Murray said:

Thank you so much. I really appreciate this. Ive been wondering how to deal with this for a long time now and you have sorted it for me. I shall go buy some retouching varnish ASAP.

 

Thanks again.

Ill definately be back for more tips and I hope to be of some help to others when they need it also.

Carol M.