The Time-Honoured Art of Damar Varnish

 For centuries, artists have relied on dammar varnish to protect and enhance their oil paintings; yet this remarkable medium remains something of a mystery to many contemporary practitioners. Derived from the crystalline resin of Southeast Asian Shorea trees, damar varnish offers a unique combination of optical clarity, archival stability, and workability that has made it indispensable to generations of master painters.

Unlike synthetic alternatives that can yellow over time or create an artificial plastic sheen, damar varnish maintains its crystal-clear transparency while providing a subtle, natural lustre that enhances colour saturation without overwhelming the painting's surface texture. This optical quality stems from damar's unique refractive index, which closely matches that of dried oil paint, creating an almost invisible protective layer.

The use of damar varnish stretches back to the Dutch Golden Age, though the resin itself has been harvested in Indonesia and Malaysia for over a millennium. The word "damar" originates from the Malay term for resin, and traditional collection methods have remained largely unchanged. Local harvesters make careful incisions in the bark of mature Shorea trees, allowing the golden resin to slowly exude and crystallise in the tropical air.

This traditional harvesting creates the characteristic amber-coloured crystals that artists dissolve in turpentine or mineral spirits to create their varnish. The process is sustainable when properly managed, as the trees continue producing resin for decades without harm.

Contemporary artists prize damar varnish for its versatility. As a final picture varnish, it provides excellent protection against dust, pollution, and minor surface damage while remaining completely removable for future conservation work. This reversibility is crucial for serious collectors and museums, as it allows paintings to be cleaned and re-varnished without damaging the original paint layers.

Beyond protection, damar varnish serves creative purposes in the painting process itself. When mixed with oil paint as a medium, it accelerates drying time and increases transparency, making it invaluable for glazing techniques. Renaissance masters used similar resin-based mediums to achieve the luminous depth in their work, and modern artists continue this tradition when seeking that particular jewel-like quality in their painting.

The varnish also excels in mixed-media applications. Printmakers use it to enhance the richness of hand-coloured prints, while illustrators find it particularly effective for intensifying watercolour washes when absolute permanence is required.

What sets damar apart from other natural resins is its molecular stability. Unlike copal or other harder resins that can become increasingly insoluble over time, damar maintains its solubility in mild solvents even after decades. This characteristic has made it the conservation varnish of choice for many major museums.

The resin's clarity comes from its relatively simple molecular structure, which doesn't scatter light the way more complex polymers do. When properly prepared and applied, a damar varnish film should be virtually invisible, serving as a transparent window that protects while preserving the artist's original intent.

Not all damar is created equal. The finest grades come from specific tree species and are characterised by their pale, almost water-clear appearance. Lower grades may appear more yellow or contain bark fragments and other impurities that can affect the final varnish quality.

Professional-grade damar crystals should be stored in airtight containers away from light and humidity. Properly stored, they can remain viable for years, though fresher resin generally dissolves more readily and produces clearer solutions.

As with many traditional art materials, the future of damar depends on sustainable harvesting practices. Several organisations now work with Indonesian and Malaysian producers to ensure that collection methods support both local communities and forest conservation. Artists choosing damar varnish are participating in this ancient trade relationship while supporting traditional livelihoods.

The environmental impact of damar compares favourably to synthetic alternatives. As a natural product that biodegrades over geological time, it lacks the environmental persistence of petroleum-based varnishes. For artists concerned about their ecological footprint, damar represents a renewable alternative with a proven track record.

Despite the proliferation of modern synthetic mediums, damar varnish continues to find new adherents among artists who value its unique properties. Art schools are rediscovering traditional techniques, and a new generation of painters is learning to appreciate the subtle differences that natural materials can make in their work.

The rise of artisanal and craft movements has also sparked renewed interest in making varnish from scratch. Many artists find the process of dissolving damar crystals meditative and enjoy the deeper understanding of their materials that comes from personal preparation.

For the contemporary artist seeking to bridge traditional methods with modern vision, damar varnish offers an authentic connection to centuries of artistic practice. Its clarity, permanence, and workability make it as relevant today as it was in the studios of Vermeer and Rembrandt, proving that some materials truly are timeless.

Whether used as a protective final coating or incorporated into the painting process itself, damar varnish remains one of the most reliable and beautiful tools in the artist's arsenal. In an age of rapid technological change, there's something deeply satisfying about working with a material that has served artists faithfully for hundreds of years – and will likely continue to do so for hundreds more.