winsor newton varnish

I previously varnished some paintings using 50 percent WN gloss and 50 percent WN matte. Now I find that none of the stores carry the matte anymore. What's happened?

If you are brushing on the varnish, you can make your own satin varnish by melting a tad of wax to warm damar varnish. Do this in a double-boiler, however. If you heat the varnish in a pot over open flame, the varnish might burst into flame, and you with it. No, don't try to nuke the varnish, just trust me on this one.

I occasionally make a satin varnish by mixing 1 raw egg white, 1-1/2 shot glass of whiskey, 1 lump of sugar, and a drop of garlic juice. (Yes, I know. it's not recommended in 'art' books). The drawback to this varnish is that it is non-removable. However, it doesn't yellow either; and yellowing is the primary reason that varnishes need to be removed. If you want to play it safe, you are better off with the removable varnish that is off-the-art-supplies-store's-shelf variety.

It's not my experiment. I wish I am that creative. This is actually a recipe published as early as the 1750's. It has been passed down and revised through the generations. Thomas Sully wrote about this recipe in his famous treatise from 1873. Cracking? It is the sugar in this recipe that prevent the varnish from cracking. Lacking the sugar, you'd get spider's web crack. Don't ask me why that is. I don't know.

Why ask why? Drink Bud Light!