Harmony

“HARMONY”
22″ x 28″ x 1.5″ acrylic on stretched canvas
©teresa kogut

“HARMONY” (detail)

LOVE this one! But boy did it give me fits! I used a crackle finish that nearly ruined this painting. LeFranc & Bourgeois 3 step crackle finish is what I used….I have used it before and liked the results but those paintings were on wood. Not sure if it was because this painting is on canvas or not but I will NEVER do that again.

First I applied the aging varnish….which I love because it “yellows” the colors making them warmer. After 3 hours I applied the crackle varnish, then was done for the day. The next morning I couldn’t wait to get to the studio to see how it crackled but instead was shocked and very disappointed. The crackled varnish had flaked and was “milky” dulling all the colors. I wasn’t sure what to do so I tried sanding it off…..that got some of it off but if I sanded too much I could possibly sand some paint off in the process. I read in the directions that water would take off the crackle….so after much scrubbing, I got most of it off……..now what??? I wasn’t sure where to go from here. Finally I decided just to put another coat of aging varnish over top and call it good. That worked but it was very glossy….not my style.

I was petrified to put anything over top of the varnish but I couldn’t leave it like it was so I took a leap of faith and applied a matte varnish over top. It was a different brand name so I wasn’t sure if they would have a reaction (I have had varnish get gummy before). Anyway…all it well. I love the matte finish, the colors are still vibrant and some of the crackle shows on the lettering. Live and learn, right?