Any advice for toning down a canvas painting?

Question

I have a painting done on canvas that is a bit too bright.  I would like to tone it down some.  I was thinking of spreading on a light gray stain gel.  Do you think that would work?  Would it look natural?  Anyone have other suggestions?   I sure don't want to ruin the artwork.  thanks,,,~~Patsy

Shawna Bailey · Answer

Have you thought about making a wash? You can water down acrylic paint (with actual water) and then lightly brush it on. You can 'dull' your painting that way.

Jay3187996 · Answer

You could tint a clear glaze thay way you don't lose any detail.

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Johnchip · Answer

You can actually use a shoe polish, I would suggets brown, tan or cordovan.

IFortuna · Answer

Is the painting oil or acrylic or watercolor? Was this an expensive piece of artwork? If you can post a photo of the artwork, it would help. I do oil painting restoration and I teach oil painting so I may be able to help even if the painting is not oil. I have worked in acrylics and watercolor as well. So, please give more info and a photo and I will give you my best opinion. : )

IFortuna · Answer

Also, I would not put shoe polish or any other product on the painting until it can be determined what the original medium is. It would possibly ruin the painting, devalue it, or cause damage that cannot be reversed. : )

Barb · Answer

I have the same problem with a water scene. The reflection on the water of the boats and cottages is just as bright as on the land. So I am anxious to see any replies you get to your question.

IFortuna · Answer

You can tone down an oil painting by using a transparent color. Rembrandt oils have a great line of these from transparent red to browns blues and blacks. If you can give me an idea what the predominant colors are, I can suggest a color and method. Oils are the easiest paintings to fix or alter and no one will probably notice.

As for putting a watercolor in the sun, it probably won't work depending on when the painting was done. If it is recent, say within the last 30 or 40 years, most colors are not fugitive meaning they are permanent and will not fade even with time.

If you want to put a glaze on a watercolor, you may want to spray it with a fixative made for whatever the medium this is such as oil, watercolor,pastel, etc. first. This will protect the painting underneath while allowing you to alter the surface and possibly solving the problem.

Acrylics are also fairly easy to alter and without anyone ever noticing.

Let me now and I will be happy to advise you on how to proceed. : )

Patsy McQuade · Answer

Here are pictures of the painting. From Bali. It is on a canvas, and most likely oil. Any other ideas for toning this down? thanks,,,,,,

Patsy McQuade · Answer

I want it to look like you are looking at the scene thru warm, humid, slightly foggy tropical air. Similiar to this other painting::

Linda · Answer

I know you don't usually frame a painting with glass, but what about using a 'smoky' coloured glass over the painting....you could experiment with the colour before framing it.

Phaedra · Answer

I have some vintage oil paintings that are top coated with varnish or shellac. Originally this was done to protect them. Over time the varnish or shellac turns dark and yellows and has to be cleaned. I don't see why you couldn't do the same thing to a new oil painting and speed up the process with a tint. I would experiment on some white poster board first. I would also start light and build up just to be safe . Check to make sure you use the kind of varnish or shellac that can be removed at a later date as the varnish ages.

Margie Hood · Answer

i agree to maybe put a frosty ar matte colored looking glass over it..that will be the safest way to do that..otherwise just live with it being too bright, or if you speny alot take it back to the painter ..im sure they wouldnt mind doing what you ask for a low price if your unhappy with your finished product..question being is did you tell them you wanted it to look humid and watery as in a rain forest because thats as bright as a coloring page..lol..sorry

Patsy McQuade · Answer

thanks for your opinion. If I could go to Bali and see if anyone could adjust it to what is in my mind, I would!! Beautiful place.

Eva · Answer

I'm a painter. Don't do anything to change the painting itself. You'll destroy the piece. Frame it and use gently frosted glass to tone it down.

Wini Bhalla Khurana · Answer

I have made an abstract painting predominantly in shades of blue in acrylic on canvas ..i want to tone it down ..any suggestions

Mary Ann Taylor Rosier · Answer

My acrylic painting is too bright and I wanted it to Look like a morning dawn. Would a glaze help?

M. M.. · Answer

To tone down a too-bright painting, you can use Matte Medium (yes that's its name,not a brand name) available at art supply places. Try just applying a coat of it plain to see if it tones down by itself. Then try adding tiny amounts of grey for cool colors or beige for warm colors. It won't hurt the painting to have multiple layers of medium applied, in fact it's recommended as sealing and protecting the canvas. In the future, you can even paint over it with acrylic paints again.

Debra Cole · Answer

I think it is pretty as it is. However, do you think she would like an antiquing glaze? I would seal it ( with matte clear spray) and rub an antiquing glaze over it. It would dull down the colors by contast.

Patsy McQuade · Answer

How about a colored wax?

Tracee · Answer

I’d love to tone down this bright blue… ideas? The photo doesn’t convey how almost neon it is… I’m not the artist. So I’d need basic instructions if you can share.

Libbie B · Answer

I've used a product called Zgel that is a coating you brush on that will add texture and a slightly frosted feel.

Any advice for toning down a canvas painting?

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