Varnishing a watercolor on paper is a technique that allows the fragile and vulnerable surface of a watercolor to be protected with a coating of polymer varnish so it no longer has to be matted and framed under glass. The varnishing brings out the depth and color saturation so the painting looks like it did while it was wet and being created. The process is tedious and time consuming. It starts with a finished watercolor painting done on 140lb. or 300lb. watercolor paper which then gets bonded to a substrate (masonite is typically used). Once the adhesive is dry, the varnishing begins with multiple layers of a UV protective archival spray varnish. It takes 6 to 10 layers to finally seal the surface due to the porous nature of watercolor paper. When the varnish has cured, the watercolor can be framed and displayed without glass. I have heard comments that the paintings resemble oil paintings because of their luscious appearance, although, upon close inspection, it is obvious that they are painted with the wet into wet, fluid transparent washes only a watercolor can possess. When a watercolor painting is varnished, it takes my breath away with it's incredible richness and beauty!