Vegan Varnishes for Oil Paints
Posted by IdrilAsphodel on Oct 14, 2010 · Member since Mar 2010 · 272 posts
Hey there, guys--
I'm in search of a matte varnish for oil paintings. All the matte varnishes I've come across contain beeswax. And sadly, I HAVE to have this painting matte varnished very soon.
So far I've been using a gloss varnish that I know is vegan, all my brushes are synthetic, my pigments contain no animal products, etc. (And I've ruled out egg tempera painting and encaustic wax painting). Painting has proven to be a very difficult line of work as a vegan.
Do any of you know of matte varnishes that DON'T contain animal products?
Okay, another question in this same vein--do any of you know what Ceresin wax is? I know it is mineral based, and I leafed through my 'formulas for painters' book and found a recipe for a matte wax varnish using Ceresin and turpentine. Any takers?
Also, Caranuba wax--anybody know about this particular wax? I know it makes a spectacular matte finish, but A) is often paired with beeswax, and B) is expensive as hell, from what I can see.
Tung oil is made from ground seeds of the tung tree. Not exactly a varnish but it will stain and protect wood. Linseed oil, made from flax, is another one.
Sorry, i'm not familiar with ceresian wax.
Hey--I'll keep that in mind, I could probably dilute it and paint with it on panel.
Would you say Tung oil is expensive?
And I'm already using gobs of linseed oil--it's used as a binder in my pigments. I <3 linseed oil.
With tung oil, maybe I could mix up a couple tones and paint thin layers and build up an image. Thanks!
The only place I have seen tung oil is online for $12-20 per pint. Some of the big box stores may sell it.
I'll check that out. Maybe I can use it as a primer or mix it in as a medium--or something.
This link to Golden Paints lists the art products that contain animal ingredients.
http://www.goldenpaints.com/healthsafety/health/animal.php
From this page, click on "Varnish." The MSA Varnish is available in matte and doesn't appear on the list of products with animal ingredients.
Also, their gesso is a "water borne" product that doesn't contain animal ingredients.
This link to Golden Paints lists the art products that contain animal ingredients.
http://www.goldenpaints.com/healthsafety/health/animal.php
From this page, click on "Varnish." The MSA Varnish is available in matte and doesn't appear on the list of products with animal ingredients.
Also, their gesso is a "water borne" product that doesn't contain animal ingredients.
Could you explain more about "water borne"? In many kind of nail varnishes also don't have any animal products if you mind.
This link to Golden Paints lists the art products that contain animal ingredients.
http://www.goldenpaints.com/healthsafety/health/animal.php
From this page, click on "Varnish." The MSA Varnish is available in matte and doesn't appear on the list of products with animal ingredients.
Also, their gesso is a "water borne" product that doesn't contain animal ingredients.
A quick note, Golden makes acrylic paint.
Also, if anyone is working in oil with Gamblin products, I am pretty sure that Neo Meglip is vegan. It's my favorite.
This link to Golden Paints lists the art products that contain animal ingredients.
http://www.goldenpaints.com/healthsafety/health/animal.php
From this page, click on "Varnish." The MSA Varnish is available in matte and doesn't appear on the list of products with animal ingredients.
Also, their gesso is a "water borne" product that doesn't contain animal ingredients.
Could you explain more about "water borne"? In many kind of nail varnishes also don't have any animal products if you mind.
Most commercial gesso is water borne, that is, it can be thinned with water and used as a primer. Oil-priming white is the oiled gesso, and while it's awesome and needs to be thinned with mineral spirits, OPW is expensive and takes forever to dry. I usually use regular gesso (Golden's brand is awesome and vegan) and then start my imprimatura in oil. (so, acrylic primer with oil on top).