How do you preserve watercolor on paper?

If the watercolor is on paper spraying two even coats of the aerosol Archival Varnish (Gloss) is usually enough to seal and adhere the pigments to the paper. If the watercolor painting is on Absorbent Ground, then three even coats of Archival Varnish (Gloss) are generally required to prevent bleeding or streaking.

Do you have to seal watercolor paintings?

Things You’ll Need Preserve your water color art by sealing the surface with a UV-resistant clear-coat spray. Sealing a watercolor painting on paper is a way to preserve the colors of the painting for decades and minimize fading from exposure to light.

Can varnish be used over watercolor?

It is possible to varnish watercolor paintings with minimal change to the color and texture of the painting and to make the varnish completely removable with the use of an isolation coat. Without an isolation coat the varnish becomes a permanent component of the painting.

How do I store my watercolor paintings?

Watercolor paintings and drawings should be stored horizontally and lie flat. They should not be rolled up in a tube since the paint might wear off. Additionally, rolling up will invite space for humidity.

What is the best way to preserve a watercolor painting?

Since light is a major catalyst, watercolors should be kept out of direct light and protected by a sheet of filtered glass or acrylic. They should also be mounted in acid-free mat board to keep the paper from discoloring over time.

How do you protect watercolors on canvas?

I use a pressure pack of mat varnish first of all, then spray everything with a few coats of acrylic satin varnish, which intensifies the darks and saturates the colors slightly. The painting ends up with a durable, impervious finish.

Will hairspray set watercolor?

Hairspray is water-soluble, so that would not be the choice of sealers. If you don’t plan to sell it or make it very lasting, sure. Thing with hairspray, it is a really good fixative for everything and anything from graphite, pencil and colored pencil, to watercolor.

How do I waterproof my watercolor painting?

1. After I complete a watercolor painting on paper, I seal it with 3-4 coats of Krylon GLOSS UV-Resistant Acrylic Coating. I don’t like the finish of the MATTE coating (plus, it dulls metallics). I use light coats and let each dry at least 30 minutes before applying the next coat.

How do you protect and store watercolor paintings?