Varnishes

Soft resin and volatile oil varnishes are used on the surfaces of paintings.

Mastic varnish

Composition:

• 14 parts mastic powder,
• 44 parts turpentine,
• 2 parts of Venetian turpentine (plasticizer).

Damar varnish

Composition:

• 1 part castor oil (for elasticity),
• 300 parts turpentine,
• 100 parts of damar.

When dissolving resins, broken glass can be added to prevent them from clumping together.
For varnish, pure resin is used, and as for damara, one takes the one with a glossy surface, as such contains less water in it.
Damara should be melted before dissolving, and when it stops foaming, turpentine should be added to dissolve it.
Kapay balsam can be a natural varnish. However, damar and mastic varnishes are most commonly used.
Mastic varnishes are more strongly colored, and yellow more over time, but remain clear for a long time.
Damar varnishes are bright, but lose transparency quickly due to moisture.
Cloudy damar varnish can be regenerated with spirit vapor.
After dissolving the resin in solvent, it is strained and set aside for some time for the impurities to settle to the bottom.