System3 Acrylic Matt Soluble Varnish Medium

System3 Acrylic Matt Soluble Varnish Medium

System3 Acrylic Matt Soluble Varnish Medium is a removable, water-based varnish designed to protect finished acrylic paintings with a durable, non-reflective finish. It forms a clear, matt coating that safeguards artwork from dust, dirt, and environmental pollutants while preserving colour vibrancy without gloss. Once dry, it can be removed using a low-odour solvent or turpentine, allowing for future cleaning or reapplication without damaging the underlying paint layer.

This varnish medium is ideal for artists seeking a flat, glare-free surface that maintains the integrity of their work. It should be applied as a final layer once the painting is fully dry. For best results, use a wide, soft brush in thin, even coats. System3 Acrylic Matt Soluble Varnish Medium is suitable for use on canvas, board, and other stable surfaces, offering reliable protection with a refined, matt appearance.

  • Provides protective barrier against environmental pollutants such as dust and smoke
  • Dries to a soft eggshell matt finish, preserving surface appearance without gloss
  • Can be cleaned or removed with low-odour solvent or turpentine without affecting the paint
  • Solvent-based formula that is touch-dry in approximately one hour
  • Perfect for professional artists and students
  • Available in a variety of sizes
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FAQs

Can the Watercolour Varnish be thinned and how should I do it?

Yes, the varnish can be thinned if required using Industrial Methylated Spirits. Add a small amount and mix thoroughly before use to achieve an even consistency. Thinning may be helpful if the varnish feels too thick or difficult to apply smoothly. It is important to ensure the mixture is fully blended, as poor mixing can lead to an uneven finish and may affect overall performance.

What type of brush should I use should I use to apply varnish?

We recommend using an old or disposable brush. The varnish can be very difficult to remove once it begins to cure, and cleaning the brush thoroughly afterwards may be challenging.

Why is the Watercolour Varnish difficult to apply?

The Watercolour Varnish has a relatively high viscosity (thickness), which can make it heavier to brush out compared to standard coatings. This is normal and helps provide a durable finish.

How do you glaze with oil paint?

Oil glazing creates depth and luminosity.

A glaze is a thin, transparent layer applied over a dry surface. It should enhance underlying tones rather than obscure them.

Use glazing mediums to control flow and maintain transparency. Apply thin layers and avoid overworking.

Allow each glaze to dry fully before adding another layer.

How do you glaze with acrylic for depth?

Glazing adds depth, richness, and complexity to acrylic work.

A glaze is a thin, transparent layer of colour applied over a dry surface. It should enhance underlying layers rather than cover them.

Use acrylic glazing medium rather than water to maintain colour strength and adhesion. Apply thin, even layers and allow each glaze to dry fully before adding another.

Build depth gradually rather than trying to achieve the final tone in one pass.

Glazing works best when underlying layers are well planned and dry.

Do I need solvents for oil painting?

Solvents are useful for thinning paint and cleaning brushes, but you can also work with solvent-free mediums if preferred.

How can I slow down acrylic drying time?

Work in smaller areas, mist your palette lightly with water, and use a slow-drying medium. Avoid painting in direct heat or airflow.

Why does my watercolour appear blotchy or uneven on paper?

Uneven water distribution is the main cause. Load your brush consistently and keep the surface evenly wet when working on washes.

Why not try adding an Ox Gall Solution Medium? Ox Gall Solution enhances wetting and flow, helping watercolour paint spread uniformly across the paper and preventing blotting or dotting effects.

Recommended medium: Ox Gall Solution (D114007005)

How do I improve the water miscibility of the watermixable oils?

Adding this medium improves the water miscibility of water-mixable oil colours, making them easier to dilute and control with water.

Recommended medium: Georgian Water Mixable Medium (D119707029)

Why aren’t my water-mixable oil colours drying quickly enough?

If you would like to speed up the drying time, this medium mixes with water-mixable oil colours to significantly accelerate drying time.

Recommended medium: Georgian Water Mixable Fast Drying Medium (D119707015)

Why is my watercolour paint too thick and hard to brush out?

If you find your watercolour paint too thick, try an Ox Gall Solution Medium, which improves wetting and flow, helping watercolour paint spread more smoothly and evenly.

Recommended medium: Ox Gall Solution (D114007005)

Why are my oil colours drying too slowly?

Oil paint dries through oxidation, which takes time. Thicker layers and certain colours dry more slowly.

To speed things up:

  • Work in thinner layers.
  • Use an Alkyd-based medium to accelerate drying while maintaining good flow and paint handling
  • Ensure good airflow.
  • Avoid excessive use of slow-drying oils.

Recommended medium: Alkyd Flow Medium (D114007022)

Why are my oil colours too thick or difficult to brush out?

To reduce the thickness of your oil colours, mix with Linseed Oil.

Linseed oil can be blended with oil colours to achieve the desired consistency, improving texture, flow, and brushability.

Recommended medium: Georgian Linseed Oil (D114007014)

Why does my acrylic feel heavy or drag on the brush when painting?

To improve brushability, use either a Liquid Retarder or a Flow Enhancer.

Liquid Retarder extends open time, while Flow Enhancer improves paint movement, reducing drag and heaviness during brush-out.

Recommended mediums: System3 Liquid Retarder (D127250033) & Acrylic Flow Enhancer (D128075008)

Why is my acrylic paint drying too quickly?

Acrylic dries quickly by design, especially in warm or dry conditions. To extend working time, use more paint, avoid over-thinning with water, and consider a retarder or stay-wet palette.

The amount of retarder added determines the degree of drying time modification, giving you more working time.

Recommended medium: System3 Liquid Retarder (D127250033)

Why does my acrylic paint dry too glossy?

If you would like your acrylic paint to be less glossy, we recommend using a matt glazing medium.

Glazing Medium Matt can be mixed with acrylic colours to reduce gloss and produce a more matt finish upon drying.

Recommended medium: System3 Glazing Medium Matt (D12825101400)

How do I reduce the viscosity of the System3 Screen Printing Medium?

Acrylic Flow Enhancer can be added to a screen printing medium to reduce viscosity. This allows users to tailor the consistency to their preferred working properties without compromising performance.

Recommended medium: Acrylic Flow Enhancer (D128075008)

Why does my acrylic paint dry with a finish that is too matt?

If you are looking to increase the gloss of your acrylic paint, a Glazing Medium Gloss can be mixed into acrylic colours to increase the gloss level once the paint has dried, resulting in a richer, more reflective finish.

Recommended medium: System3 Glazing Medium Gloss (D12825101900)

Why is my acrylic or gesso too thick, gelatinous, or gloopy?

Acrylic Flow Enhancer is designed to improve the flow of acrylic colours. When used sparingly, it can transform slightly gelatinous acrylics into a softer, freer-flowing paint. While no acrylic should become extremely thick or jelly-like, normal viscosity drift can occur, and in almost all cases flow enhancer will resolve the issue.

Recommended medium: Acrylic Flow Enhancer (D128075008)

Am I able to order samples?

You are able to request samples on the mountboards, Murano, and Canford paper in the UK only.

Unfortunately, we do not send paint samples out, however, please do head to your nearest art store to take a look at the colours and products that we manufacture.

Please use the contact us form to request your mountboard, Murano, and Canford paper samples.

Do you test on animals or use animal-derived ingredients?

At Daler-Rowney, we do not test our products on animals.

Daler-Rowney does not use animal-derived ingredients in most colours and mediums it produces. The only exceptions to this are the pigment Bone Black (PBk9), Ox-Gall solution and Kandahar ink (Shellac).

Daler-Rowney does not use animal-derived ingredients in the manufacture of its paper and board ranges, with the exception of The Langton Prestige and Murano papers, which use gelatine.

Daler-Rowney does not use animal-derived ingredients in the manufacture of its synthetic hair brushes, and the only animal-derived ingredient in its natural hair brushes is the natural hair itself.

Daler-Rowney does not use animal-derived ingredients in the manufacture of its Simply Drawing and Sketching products except for the graphite leads in the Drawing Pencil Tube 22pcs Set and the Simply Sketching 40pcs Set which contain 5% of animal oil.

I have scanned the QR code on the back of the product packaging but it does not lead anywhere?

We previously had several QR codes on our packaging for our products, however, these links have now expired and we apologise for the inconvenience this may cause. Please take a look at our Discover section, YouTube channel, product or brand page to view more information on the purchased brands.

For Simply products, please visit our How-To’s to find the SimplyCreate how-to guides.

How do I find out more information about old products?

Please fill out the contact us form with as much information as possible to help us try to date the product. Attaching images via the URL field will also help greatly.

Please note: Old paintings with a Daler stamp on the back only indicate that they have used a Rowney mountboard, we will not be able to help with the artist or their subject.

How long do you need to leave an oil painting before varnishing?

Most artists wait around 4-6 months before applying varnish, however, start testing the surface of the painting with caution with a fingernail/thumb test after 7 days.

I would like to try a medium, what would you advise?

We advise that you test a small area first before committing to the whole painting.

How do you revive paint?

Paints can be revived with water or, in the case of oil, turpentine. If you are having trouble reviving one of our paints, please contact us.

My art masking fluid is coagulation and thickening, what should I do?

Art masking fluid is a natural latex solution. In almost all cases, the thickening of the product is simply at the surface of the liquid where there is contact with air in the bottle. In almost all cases, a simple manipulation with a palette knife or a brush breaks this thin layer to reveal the fluid liquid beneath.

Should the coagulation or thickening be apparent throughout the entire bottle, which can happen with much older stock, please contact us via the contact us form.

How do you prepare paper and seal your artwork?

Prepping Paper: Before starting the piece of art, gently flatten any curled or wrinkled edges by placing the paper under a heavy book or flat surface for a few hours. If working with water-based media like watercolours or acrylics, consider stretching the paper to prevent buckling. Simply soak the paper in water, then carefully adhere it to a flat surface using gummed tape or staples. Allow it to dry completely before painting.

Sealing Your Artwork: Once the artwork is completed, protect it from smudging and damage by applying a fixative spray. Hold the spray can at arm’s length and apply in a well-ventilated area, following the manufacturer’s instructions. For added protection and longevity, consider sealing the artwork with a varnish or protective coating. Choose a product suitable for the medium used and desired finish, whether matte, satin, or gloss.

What do the surface symbols mean on your paints?

The symbols represent where the paint can be used, for example, Canvas, Murals, Glass, Textiles, and Interior/Exterior. Please visit the colour charts on the individual product pages to view the full list.

You will need to use the correct primers and finishes for a selection of surfaces, i.e., murals will need a varnish to make them waterproof and a primer on most wall surfaces to get the full colour. We do always recommend trialling on a small area and testing first.

Are your products non-hazardous?

The vast majority of artist paints are non-hazardous mixtures. Hazardous materials tend to be used more in mediums (due to the solvents used) and the hazards are clearly identified on the product labels and safety datasheets.

The datasheets can be found on our website, by clicking the product and then the downloads tab.

What do all the different mediums do?

A medium is an art supply added to paint and can be used to change the rate of drying, thin it out to cover a greater surface, create interesting effects, change its texture or consistency and improve flow.

Daler-Rowney offers mediums for acrylics, oils, watercolours and printing.

The collections our mediums are available in are Aquafine, Simply, Georgian, FW and System3.

What is the advantage of using the products in the same collections for artists?

Using products from the same collection ensures colour consistency across your work, as the paints, papers, brushes and mediums are designed to work in harmony. Each product is developed to complement and enhance the performance of others in the range, enabling artists to achieve reliable and cohesive results.

Why is the System3 collection good for murals?

The System3 collection doesn’t peel or crack when it is used outside, which makes it ideal for murals. Please note to fully prep your mural surface before painting.

How do I paint on plastic using acrylic paints?

In order to paint on plastic with acrylic paints, it is best to follow these steps:

  1. Always test on a scrap piece of material before committing to the desired piece
  2. Clean the surface – soap and water should be fine
  3. Sand the surface to create some texture (tooth). This may create enough texture for the paint to adhere to – test this out.
  4. If step 3 does not provide enough “tooth” for the paint to adhere to, then a primer is needed – apply a coat of primer to the surface and allow to dry
  5. Paint on top of the primer as required

It is worth considering the use of the following materials to create the best tooth:

  • Fine abrasive (400–600 grit sandpaper)
  • Scotch-Brite pad
  • Micro-file sander

What medium would you recommend to a beginner watercolour artist to try out alongside Aquafine watercolour paints for some great effects?

We would recommend using Art Masking Fluid.

What medium could you thin your oil paint down with and at the same time slow down the drying time?

Purified linseed oil can be used to think oil paint and at the same time slow down the drying time.

What is drying oil?

Drying oil is an oil that thickens or hardens on exposure to air.

Would your products affect any allergies that I may have?

We recommend taking a look at our safety data sheets for your chosen paint as these include safety precautions and any reactions which could happen.

The datasheets can be found on our website, by clicking the product and then the downloads tab.

What does the hazardous symbol on the label mean?

The hazardous symbols are attributed to substances that are hazardous to the environment – these are standard symbols on artist paints.

The most standard symbol on art products is a dead tree and a dead fish symbol. This symbol means the product is toxic to marine life with long-lasting effects. Our recommendation when cleaning your products is to put the washings into a sand bin rather than down the sink.

Are your products EN71 compliant?

Daler-Rowney products are not EN71 compliant as they are aimed at adults.

For enquiries on products from other brands in the FILA Group, please contact the brand directly with the product in question.

What are the shelf lives of your paints?

Our products, when stored correctly have very long shelf lives – on average around 5-15 years. If you have any concerns about a product, please do contact us.

What levels are your products?

We have different ranges for different artistic expertise:

The Simply collection is for beginner artists and hobbyists

The Graduate collection is aimed at students.

The Aquafine, Georgia, System3 and FW collections are aimed at professional artists.

The Artists’ and Designer collections are our top-of-the-line artist ranges.

Where can I find your latest Safety Datasheets (SDS) or Technical Data sheets (TDS)

Our latest Safety Datasheets are on the product pages in the Download tab. These are the most up-to-date data sheets.

Find a Store Near You

Our products are available in thousands stores nationwide. Use our Store Locator to find your nearest retailer and explore our network of trusted art supply specialists. Visit in person to experience the quality firsthand, receive expert advice, and shop your favourite Daler-Rowney products locally.

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Got a question? Start by browsing our FAQs for quick answers. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch by selecting the form that best matches your enquiry. We’d love to hear from you and are always happy to assist!

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