How long does it take for varnish on an oil painting to dry?

[Richard Harvey Grider]

Hi — I'm a retired advertising art director who is trying to become a landscape painter.

My web site is: dickgrider.com. 

I have been trying to find out how long it takes for the varnish on an oil painting to dry.

I have Winsor & Newton varnish, but the label doesn't mention drying time. 

Need to get my painting varnished, framed and entered into a show very soon.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks, Dick Grider

[Mike Fone]

Hi Dick. The recognised drying time for an oil painting is six months. However, just how many professional painters stick with that is another matter. They have time pressure from galleries to consider. How nice to have that kind of pressure. If you want the painting to be archival and last for many years then six months is your best bet. If you want to put a painting in a show much less time will be necessary. You might like to consider the way you paint to make varnishing unnecessary for a show. For example use an oil out, using a coating of linseed with little turps part way through the painting. You could also try using damar varnish with the paint or an under layer. This way you can get an even surface without some of it being matt and some glossy. The trick is doing all this without affecting  permanence. Of course you could try acrylics and solve a whole lot of problems.

[Richard Harvey Grider]

Mike Fone said:

Hi Dick. The recognised drying time for an oil painting is six months. However, just how many professional painters stick with that is another matter. They have time pressure from galleries to consider. How nice to have that kind of pressure. If you want the painting to be archival and last for many years then six months is your best bet. If you want to put a painting in a show much less time will be necessary. You might like to consider the way you paint to make varnishing unnecessary for a show. For example use an oil out, using a coating of linseed with little turps part way through the painting. You could also try using damar varnish with the paint or an under layer. This way you can get an even surface without some of it being matt and some glossy. The trick is doing all this without affecting  permanence. Of course you could try acrylics and solve a whole lot of problems.

[Richard Harvey Grider]

To: Mike Fone —

Thanks for your information regarding my question about varnishing.

I appreciate it very much.

Dick Grider

[Lisa Sherratt]

Hi Dick,

Great question. I looked at your website and wow, really great and I truly enjoy your watercolour of Port Clyde. Well done!

Cheers and much blessing

Lisa 

[Richard Harvey Grider]

Lisa Sherratt said:

Hi Dick,

Great question. I looked at your website and wow, really great and I truly enjoy your watercolour of Port Clyde. Well done!

Cheers and much blessing

Lisa 

[Richard Harvey Grider]

Lisa Sherratt — Thanks for the complimentary remarks!  I did watercolors for many years,

and only in the past several years have been working in oils.  Oil painting seems much more complicated, but maybe that's

because I was so used to watercolor, that switching to a new medium required a lot more effort!

Dick Grider