The first painting I finished for this project, I was so excited, I took a photo while it was still wet and put it on the Internet. It SOLD! It sold in about three hours! Great, right? Well here's the thing... It sold before it was even dry. When I got the news my main priority was to get the product to the customer. It had been hanging in my window for a day when I took it down to varnish it so that it would last a lifetime. I use Aquacrylic polyurethane to seal my acrylic work. There is usually never a problem. Acrylic paint dries quickly and the two mediums are very compatible. The style paintings that I have been doing lately require layer upon layer of washes. Washes are basically transparent layers of watered down pigments. Unfortunately, when I went to brush on the acrylic clear coat, it streaked the pigment across the painting ruining a SOLD work! After my initial shock, the throwing of some brushes, a few well chosen swears, and the coaxing of my dog out from behind the couch where he ran to seek refuge from my outburst, I was able to, for the most part, save the painting. I re-painted what needed to be re-done and let the painting cure. This spring has been extremely wet, and with the added moisture in my paint this process took so much longer than I had anticipated. It eventually dried to my satisfaction and was ready to be sealed.
Having been bitten once by brushing on the polyurethane, this time I sprayed. Clean nozzles, light coats, I still had trouble with the poly. It would get little "poly-balls" beading up every few inches all over the surface. Is this from the moisture? If I tried to remove them it would take the paint with it. I tried wet sanding lightly, steel wool, I just couldn't get them out without affecting the surface of the painting somehow. I have never had this problem before. If anyone reading this has any suggestions please tell me in the comment section below. The end product turned out satisfactory for myself and the new owner of the work, but with a show coming up and dozens of paintings to seal I really need an easier/quicker way.
On top of these technical issues there were other headaches that ensued... You can read about those in my other blog "The Starving Artists Rant".(click here)
Eventually, I was able to finish it and get it to the buyer.
Here's what the new owner of the work had to say:
Greg,
I received the painting yesterday, as promised. I wanted to "sleep on it" for a night to be able to give you my most honest opinion. Well, I must say I am very pleased with it! The colors are so much richer, more vibrant than the photo online indicated.
Thanks again for everything - I love my painting!
Sincerely,
Ray ________
So, It all worked out in the end... But I'm not going to add anymore paintings online until they are ready to hang!
I paint w/acrylics as well. I iniially tried a matte finish to seal them, but it tainted the white in the paint to be an off-white and revealed some layers of paint where I had made mistakes. I haven't sealed anything since--although I probably should. Have you found a product you like to use since?
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