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I ordered some online and they sent me a pack called matte varnish medium.

But I read that people prefer matte varnish acrylic. Is there a difference really?

That's a rather odd mix of naming conventions. Normally, they'd want to avoid confusion between matte medium and matte varnish, which are two separate products (although both acrylic-based, in the case of Liquitex). Regardless, you should be fine using what was sent.

 oadie wrote:
That's a rather odd mix of naming conventions. Normally, they'd want to avoid confusion between matte medium and matte varnish, which are two separate products (although both acrylic-based, in the case of Liquitex). Regardless, you should be fine using what was sent.

Liquitex categorizes all of its finishing products as mediums, even the varnish sprays -- which, I agree, is confusing I think it's because Liquitex says that you can mix the varnish with their mediums and paints. But who in their right mind mixes varnish with paint?! Or medium for that matter. And how exactly do you mix an aerosol spray with uh... anything?

That being said, I don't believe that there is a matte varnish medium and a matte varnish acrylic. IIRC, the Gloss varnish is still labelled "Gloss Varnish Medium", but the other ones have had the word "Medium" removed (eg "Matte Varnish"). I think this is the actual product:

http://www.liquitex.com/us/Shop/Medium/Varnish_Permanent/Matte_Varnish,_16-oz.aspx

Am I mistaken? If not, this is a list of all Liquitex varnishes:

http://www.liquitex.com/us/shop/mediums/available-in/varnish/36024/

Ok I guess the jumbo size Matte Varnish bottle on the bottom says "ARTISTS ACRYLIC"

And the other sizes in Matte Varnish don't have that labeled on them so I was confused.

I have the right kind... the red/orange colored one :-)

How do you guys use it? Do you use a foam brush? Or dilute with water and mist it over a model using a spray? Is it safe to brush on using your nice brushes?

I use Winsor Newton Galleria Acrylic Matte Varnish, but I assume it's a very similar product. Some folks dilute, but I brush it on full strength with a regular brush. I'm usually brushing over a dipped mini so it sometimes takes a couple coats to get rid of all the shine. Not a big deal though since if you're not painting over a dipped mini (the dip provides a thick layer of poly protection) you should probably do 2 coats anyway for best protection.

It's safe to use your regular brushes, but I'd rather use larger version and a cheaper brush. No reason to use your best brushes for varnishing. I would not advise misting it on, as that will likely not give you an even finish. However I'm fairly sure (though you should check) that you can use it through an airbrush.

I assume the term 'varnish' is used here interchangeably with 'clear coat' - in this case, it's simply acrylic medium with no pigments in it, and can be used both as a clear coat and a medium. Traditionally, oil paintings used to be varnished (with actual varnish), so that's where the term comes, AFAIK.

I think the only difference between a 'medium' and a 'varnish' is that a 'varnish' is specifically formulated as a final coat, and might contain a bit more levelling aids and UV protectants. What's the case with an acrylic 'varnish medium', I have no idea Probably it's a generic medium with some UV protection.

Sometimes specific acrylic mediums (fluid medium etc.) have additional ingredients in them that make them poor clear coats, but they usually mention it on the label if you should not use it as a finishing coat.

Liquitex categorizes all of its finishing products as mediums, even the varnish sprays -- which, I agree, is confusing I think it's because Liquitex says that you can mix the varnish with their mediums and paints. But who in their right mind mixes varnish with paint?! Or medium for that matter. And how exactly do you mix an aerosol spray with uh... anything?

I recently bought a small bottle of Liquitex Matte Medium, so did I buy a varnish then? I tried thinning a GW wash with it and it ended up thicker instead so I figured something was off. I just wanted to avoid buying the GW medium because it seems expensive for the little amount you get.

I think the Matte Medium is different then Matt Varnish

Is the color of your bottle GREEN or ORANGE/RED ?

OP: As best I can tell from their website, a "medium" automatically means it can be mixed with their paints.
I think this is an option when people are sculpting more with their paint and want more durability to it.
The hardest part is deciding removable or not.
http://www.liquitex.com/Varnish/

Like if I was to do I final coat to spray on with an airbrush I would use this (note: does not say "medium"):
http://www.liquitex.com/us/Shop/Medium/Varnish_Permanent/Satin_Varnish,_8-oz.aspx

If I wanted a ready to spray-on, I would use this:
http://www.liquitex.com/us/Shop/Medium/Varnish_Permanent/Satin_12-oz.aspx

I would pick "Satin" for the less reflective properties so your painting can be seen better: more gloss/shine = less detail visible.

This is a little guide by them on varnishing (note, pdf download):
http://www.liquitex.com/penandinkcard/

Must admit, I have slowly been moving most of my paints over to these guys for consistency of product.

exocorp wrote:Ok I guess the jumbo size Matte Varnish bottle on the bottom says "ARTISTS ACRYLIC"

And the other sizes in Matte Varnish don't have that labeled on them so I was confused.

I have the right kind... the red/orange colored one :-)

How do you guys use it? Do you use a foam brush? Or dilute with water and mist it over a model using a spray? Is it safe to brush on using your nice brushes?

Don't use your nice brushes. It will come out of your brushes just fine if you use soapy stuff to clean it, but your nice brushes will be rounds, and brush-on varnish applies more evenly if you use a flat (or filbert). I thought it was a little thick for my taste, and I'm not a big fan of diluting varnish.

If you have an airbrush, the Vallejo varnish goes on more nicely, IMO.

Also, in response to some other post above, liquitex matte varnish is not the same as matte medium. I have both , as well as ultramatte, and they're definitely different, though I can count the times I've used any of them on the fingers of one hand. One reason I'm not very fond of Liquitex mediums as a medium is that it makes the color look slightly lighter until it dries, and that makes it harder for me to decide whether I need more paint on the model or what color to use. On the other hand, if you use Lahmian Medium, the color on the palette will be the color on the model.

exocorp wrote:
I think the Matte Medium is different then Matt Varnish

Is the color of your bottle GREEN or ORANGE/RED ?

Matte Medium is a similar consistancy to what you would squeeze out of a paint tube, maybe a little thinner. It can be used to thin out the color of paints to add more transparency and to add more of a matte sheen to glossier paints. You can use it as a varnish but you'll have a hard time getting rid of brush strokes because it's meant to act like paint.

Varnishes are traditionally clear coats to protect underlying paint. I haven't used them before because I've never needed to on my art. I would imagine they are thinner than a medium and, similar to what prowla said, have agents that thin out brush strokes. Varnishes wouldn't be mixed with paint like medium would.

If you're going to be using an airbrush for your matte coats, Liquitex does have an airbrush formulated medium for thinning acrylic/water-based paint for airbrushing. I would say contact them to get official word on thinning a varnish for airbrush application, otherwise just use a brush

I tried brushing them on yesterday with 2 of my finished models... They dry very quick a little for my taste, maybe the brush I was using was too small/suited for the job, I'll look into getting a cheap flat brush to apply the varnish.

But I had the idea of putting the Varnish maybe thinned with a little water in atomizer mister/spray bottle and just misting the model... this way there is no brush strokes.

I found when I brushed on the application was not as smooth as I would of liked.

Anyone ever try the poor man air brush method before? With a mister

exocorp wrote:
I tried brushing them on yesterday with 2 of my finished models... They dry very quick a little for my taste, maybe the brush I was using was too small/suited for the job, I'll look into getting a cheap flat brush to apply the varnish.

But I had the idea of putting the Varnish maybe thinned with a little water in atomizer mister/spray bottle and just misting the model... this way there is no brush strokes.

I found when I brushed on the application was not as smooth as I would of liked.

Anyone ever try the poor man air brush method before? With a mister

If it's acrylic, you can slow the dry time by using a retardant. Looks like Liquitex changed the name of theirs to "Professional Palette Wetting Spray Fluid Medium". I wonder if "retardant" wasn't "PC" enough? They also have a product called Flow-Aid Flow Enhancer. Not sure why I couldn't find it on the Liquitex main site but I have a local art store that carries it. It's supposed to help minimize your brush strokes.

Anyone put this stuff into a atomizer/mist bottle to spray on? How were your results?

I don't think I'm willing to drop the money to get an air brush... the compressor looks huge and I am not fond of all the cleaning that's required.