Monday, October 10, 2011

Has this ever happened to you?

Has this ever happened to anyone of you?




This used to be one of my favourite still lives, perhaps because it was one of my first.
It was more than three months old now and so I thought I will varnish it. However, while varnishing the paint just pealed off like the skin of an onion. I tried to find a solution for this on the internet. I read somewhere that mixing casein with acrylic gesso can solve the problem.
I am determined to be more careful henceforth. I always try to use the best possible materials.

Please tell me any alternative solutions to avoid this problem in the future. I feel kind of let down. I wont be using canvas boards by this manufacturer ever again in the future and if I do I will coat them atleast twice ( inaddition to the priming provided by the manufacturer) with a good quality gesso.

16 comments:

Crystal Cook said...

Oh Vinayak that is horrible! I loved that painting too. Maybe you can paint over it without too much trouble? I have no knowledge about varnishing oil paintings, but you have my sympathies my friend. Hope you can fix it.

Lampros Lampinos said...

this is a catastroph, but as Bob Ross used to say, we don't have mistakes in painting we have little accidents...

Ramesh Jhawar said...

Never had such problem! Did this happen while you were applying varnish? I never varnished my oil paintings. Thats why I prefer watercolors :)

Studio at the Farm said...

Vinayak, I am so sorry about your painting. There must be some way to repair it. Have you tried to contact any restorers, galleries or museums?

Vinayak Deshmukh said...

Thanks Crystal. I will try to paint over it , but I am not sure if the painting wont look patched up.

Thanks Lampros, this was a serious accident I think ;)
Hi Ramesh. Yes, it happened while applying varnish. But I always use a very soft brush to avoid any damage to the surface.
Hi Katheryn, thanks, I will try to find out my options.
Thank you all.

suzanneberry said...

Wow! i'm so sorry to see that this happened to your lovely painting! i really love everything about this still life, just beautiful! was it the paint? was it not dry enough yet? i use spray varnish and love it, but i just need to even out the surface, how awful you must have felt. they say wait a year, however one can't wait for a year to post for sale. i use liquin original and my work dries within two days and is ready for spraying. good luck, beautiful work.

MTeacress said...

Oh, no! How disappointing. I wish I could help. I wonder the same as Crystal - can you paint over it, or will it ruin it?

Bonnie Heather said...

How frustrating! I also love this painting.

Vinayak Deshmukh said...

Thanks Suzanne, the paint was totally dry. I don't paint thick and the paint did not bleed at all when I cleaned it with spirit before applying the varnish. I will try Liquin and also the spray varnish. Thanks for the advice.
Thanks for the kind words Michelle.

Vinayak Deshmukh said...

Thank you Bonnie. Hope I don't repeat the mistake again.

M R Anand said...

I am so sorry this happened...the painting is really beautiful! I just dont seem to have any answer to this...

suzanneberry said...

me again. computer troubles, can't get your email to thank you for your very kind comment on "waiting!" so...thank you!

Jane said...

Oh what a pity! But I am sure you can paint it over and get a good result, but of course it shouldn't have happened in the first place!

Art with Liz said...

It's a great painting and if it's oils, it would be repairable by overpainting. I must say, I've been reading a lot about quality products just lately and honestly believe that one needs to replace those old paints with artist quality ones. This also applies to canvas and if you can get oil primed canvas, even better. The gesso we use is acrylic based. Just one last thing - I always remember my first art teacher saying that if you want to varnish, use re-touch spray varnish and then only after a whole year, use normal sealing varnish. 3 months is just too short! And never try to clean your painting with any solvents!

Let us know how you progress Vinayak.

Vinayak Deshmukh said...

Thank you everyone for your concern and helpful comments. I dont normally like to paint over part of a dried painting, but in this case I think I will take your advice and do it.
I havent been able to locate a source for oil primed cotton or linen canvas anywhere in India. If anyone does know a source for the same, please let me know. I would be thankful.

Berta Fernández-Viña Fernández said...

Bonitas pinturas
Un saludo