How to create a high gloss acrylic finish

Reader Question: How do you create an acrylic painting with a high gloss finish? Can you add a water soluble varnish to the paint as it is applied? I want to bring out the color on abstract paintings.

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To create a high gloss acrylic painting that will bring out the color in your abstract paintings, I would suggest using a glossy acrylic medium rather than mixing a glossy varnish into the paint.

All you need to do is mix the gloss medium into the paint on the palette, and then paint as normal. The paint should dry to a glossy finish.

To achieve even more gloss, apply a high gloss varnish once the painting is finished and the paint is dry.

There is a product by Liquitex that is both a gloss medium and varnish, so you could use it to mix with the paint as well as use it for a final coat of varnish.

Hope that helps and best of luck with it!

Read more in my guide to Painting with Acrylics