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Ask the Experts: Matting and Framing Prints

Q: I own a lithograph and a serigraph, and I was wondering if I should have them framed with a mat and a piece of glass, or if there is a preferred way.

Ask the Experts: Liquin and Damar Varnish

Q: I have several paintings on which I used Liquin as a finish, and I'm wondering whether I can apply damar varnish over the Liquin. Also, I recently read that one should never use Liquin as a finish. Why?

Varnish for Oil and Acrylic

To mix an acrylic final varnish suitable for both oil and acrylic paint, combine a mixture of 1/2 matte synthetic varnish and 1/2 gloss synthetic varnish. Mix a small amount of solution and apply it over two different painted surfaces, one oil and one acrylic. When the test surfaces dry, you will be able to determine whether to add more matte or more gloss, or whether the final varnish is just right.

Canvas Proportions

To determine the proportions of your canvas when making one or more small sketches, draw a rectangle with the same dimensions as your canvas on a sheet of tracing paper. Then draw a diagonal line from the lower-left corner to the upper-right corner. Keep a sheet of tracing paper with standard canvas sizes (drawn to 1/4" scale) so you don't have to figure out the proportions each time.

Tim Kennedy's Painting Process

In the September 2006 issue of American Artist, Indiana artist Tim Kennedy explained how his figurative paintings have a connection to other artists, past and present. Here, the artist describes his painting process.