Hi everyone, new poster here. I'm currently getting back into modelling after about 16 years. I'm coming to the end of painting my first figure, a 54 mm white metal Roman legionary (Beneito Miniatures). Do you think I should varnish it or not? I never used to varnish my figures when I did models before, but perhaps I should with this one.

I've painted it with acrylics.

Thanks for your help!

Hi Muttley
Unless you plan on handling it a lot or it's very glossy then the short answer is no it's not needed That said I sometimes use an artists acrylic varnish for particular effects such as adding a slight sheen to a horse's coat (acrylics dry very matt usually) or if you overwork the paint it will sometimes have too much of a gloss (Prussian blue and some reds tend to) in which case I'll give those areas a coat of matt.

I hear of lots of issues with modellers who do varnish their models (although usually these are aircraft and tanks) that I would avoid it unless absolutely necessary
Cheers
Paul

Thanks both, I think I'll go no varnish (as you say, I'm not planning on handling it at all).

thanks for asking, I was wondering myself!