The 11 Best Varnish for Acrylic Painting on Canvas – Seal & Protect

Working on your masterpiece? Don’t forget to get the best varnish for acrylic painting on canvas. You’ll be able to seal the colors and protect your work when you use varnish. Check out some of the varnish products you can use to seal and protect your work:

Best Varnish for Acrylic Painting on Canvas

The most common type of varnish in the market is liquid. This is the type that you will brush onto the canvas after you finished your work. Check out the different options you can use, like gloss and matte:

Liquitex BASICS Gloss Varnish

If you want a glossy finish to your art, then opt for the Liquitex BASICS Gloss Varnish. One of the best things about this varnish is it can be mixed with matte. You can then adjust the sheen of your finish, whether you want it to be pure gloss to mid or less. This varnish will protect your work, dry clear, and will not yellow over time.

Art Advantage Acrylic Medium Matte Varnish

If gloss isn’t for you, then opt for a matte varnish. The Art Advantage Matte Varnish can also be mixed with other types of varnishes to increase the transparency of your work. This varnish also has a non-yellowing formula and should be used over dry paint.

Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Matt Varnish

Winsor & Newton has been in the arts industry since the 1800s. The company is known for its high-quality paintbrushes and paints. It’s only logical that they also deliver on varnishes for completing and sealing artworks.

The unique feature of the Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Matt Varnish is that it is actually removable. This varnish is specifically for acrylic paints and can be mixed with gloss.

Sargent Art Acrylic Gloss Varnish

Sargent Art gives you an acid-free and non-toxic varnish made in the US. The Sargent Art Acrylic Gloss Varnish dries to a permanent finish. Your work will have a protective sheen that is also waterproof! Just make sure to shake well before using and you should be good to go.

Best Varnish Brush for Acrylic Painting on Canvas

So, what are you going to use to spread the varnish on your artwork? You can’t just use any random brush. For starters, regular-sized paintbrushes are quite small and it will take you forever to cover your canvas with varnish.

Another thing you should check is the brush’s bristles, some might not be ideal for acrylic paint or the actual canvas. Getting the wrong brush can result in a damaged brush or worse, an irreparable masterpiece.

To avoid these problems, check out the varnish brushes designed for acrylic painting on canvas:

US Art Supply 3 Pack

Can’t decide on what kind of brush to get? US Art Supply offers a 3-pack brush. This pack already includes 3 brushes with varying sizes. All of the brushes have synthetic bristles, tin ferrules, and wood handles. Aside from varnishes, they can also be used for stains, gesso, and acrylic.

Liquitex Freestyle Paddle Brush

Liquitex is known for its amazing range of art products and this also includes brushes. The Freestyle Paddle Brush’s bristles have a shorter length out of the ferrule to allow the easy movement of varnishes on canvas. Aside from its excellent performance in covering large surfaces with varnish, it’s also good for edges.

Liquitex Freestyle Long Handle Brush

If you have larger works that are more on their vertical side or are quite taller, opt for a brush like the Liquitex Freestyle Long Handle Brush. It gives you excellent control and an easy grip for those quick varnish strokes. You’ll also have no trouble reaching the top of your canvas.

Liquitex Freestyle Short Handle Brush

Working on a big canvas mural? It won’t take long to cover and seal it with varnish when you have the Freestyle Short Handle Brush from Liquitex. You’ll be able to cover up more areas for fewer strokes. It can save you a lot of time and a lot of effort as its bristle area is 6-inches wide.

Best Varnish Spray for Acrylic Painting on Canvas

Can’t bother with a brush and liquid varnish? No problem. You can instead use varnish spray for your work of art. Here are some of the top options for acrylic painting on canvas applications:

Liquitex Gloss Spray Varnish

The Liquitex spray delivers a lightweight gloss varnish. Once it is fully dried the varnish is permanent and becomes waterproof. If you are looking for varnish for archival purposes, this is the spray can to get.

Golden Archival Varnish Spray

You can display your work for years and years to come when you seal it with the Golden Archival Varnish Spray. Even if your canvas is under the sunlight, don’t worry as this varnish comes with UV light stabilizers. You can expect excellent moisture and dust resistance. With a fan-spray tip, you’ll have no trouble with precise varnish application.

Grumbacher Hyplar Gloss Varnish Spray

You can expect amazing performance from the Grumbacher Final Varnish in gloss. The Grumbacher name has been around in the arts industry since 1905. Using the varnish spray, you’ll be able to protect your masterpiece with ease. The varnish formula is non-yellowing, quick-drying, permanent, and transparent.

Final Thoughts: Using Varnish for Acrylic Painting on Canvas

Once your vision has come to life, know that it is not yet the end. You still have to ensure that your masterpiece should live for years to come. Make sure that you get the proper varnish for your art on canvas.

There are tons of varnishes in the market but not all will be suitable for canvas or acrylic paint. You also need to choose the type of finish your art requires from satin and matte to glossy. Varnish will definitely affect the longevity of your work and also highlight your art in a certain way.

Check out the best canvas for acrylic paint