Right finish for ACEOs?

[artipher]

I'm getting ready to spray my first ACEOs and would like some input. I've seen some say they use a lacquer - how is that applied and what exactly is it called? I have a spray that is by Krylon it simply says it is a durable, protective coating that is "low odor" and can be used indoors which I need because I do not have access to a seperate place to spray than the two rooms I live in with one long narrow window. Will everyone tell me what you use to "finish" your pieces of art? PJ

[ghamron]

Usually nothing, I like the textures of the different components to be apparent. I have used a liquid varnish in the past, though -no spraying needed, just a brush. Some people use Diamond Glaze. Some brush on gel medium. Hope this helps! Laurie

[artipher]

I should say that I am doing watercolor with ink. So, I need something that would keep it from running in the future if it would get wet (even a drop). Any help for watercolor finishes? PJ

[jeanze*art]

Although I put sealants on some pieces (pencils and pastels, for example) and varnish on collage pieces and sometimes on art marker pieces, I avoid sealants on watercolors. There's such a risk of ruining the piece. Maybe others have better thoughts on this, but I like watercolor au naturale. :)

[poozybear]

I've experimented with this a lot. I do use some watercolors, but it's watered down acrylics, so probably not the same thing. When I started painting I was doing larger art on canvas, and coated those paintings with a gloss medium. I like the shiny look, but the problem with ACEOs is that I use ink with acrylics, and I found out the hard way that acrylic gloss medium makes ink run all over the place. I tried a spray-on gloss fixative, but didn't like the results (too uneven). What I'm doing now, which is working great . . . I give the card a very light spray of Blick matte workable fixative to seal the ink, then brush on the gloss varnish. This leaves me with an even finish, and nothing smears. Kathy

[artipher]

jeanze*art So you think it would be okay to sell watercolor ACEOs without any finish? I did buy clear plastic sleeves that I will have them in, is that all I need? PJ

[jeanze*art]

PJ, I think that's fine, and for some collectors, it's even preferable! Go for it! Jeanne

[res0rd7c]

I use Krylon Kamar Spray Varnish on my acrylic aceo's and my water color aceo's and have only had a problem once with running, that was only because I put too heavy of a coat of spray making it puddle. If you do light coats it dries quick and works great. Dianne

[artipher]

Dianne, Have you ever run into a collector who preferred that the ACEO did not have a finish? PJ

[lightxposure]

ME PJ! Sue

[artipher]

OK! Now I just need to wait for a camera battery that is supposed to be arriving by UPS today (I don't have a car) and I'll post some ACEOs for your perusal! PJ

[res0rd7c]

PJ, no I have never had any of my buyers say anything about the varnish finish on the cards. I would rather do that than have them get distroyed if they got water on them. Dianne

[artipher]

Dianne, Thanks for your input! PJ

[lightxposure]

I don't even like my photographs or paintings framed behind glass, especially non reflective glass...... i have to frame the pastel one cos it drops off to much....(and i do use fixative) but other than that.....

[greenwithmerry]

Do you place the ACEO in a plastic sleeve once varnished? Won't it stick onto the plastic sleeve?

Thank you for your reply in advance 🙂

Mona