Thank you George! It’s a lot clearer now. Although I am still curious about that lint-free cloth method he mentions. I am assuming he refers it as an in-between layers step, or is it as a final step?

So bringing back the mason mortar and brick example in the fat over lean articles, it would be like weakening the whole composition of the wall, right? Painting the wall (such as varnishing the painting) wouldn’t make it stronger

Hi George! Which as you mentioned may have long-term consequences for the oxidative polymerization of oil paint, causing it to form weak paint films that are susceptible to moisture and solvents. But wouldn’t the varnish protect the weak paint film from moisture and solvents? And other environmental issues

In the article Sinking In, Oiling Out And Retouching Varnish: Part 1 (Which I loved for how well it was made and researched, still waiting for the Part 2) you quote Arthur Pilans Laurie’s book on

“Oiling out will result in darkening. If the picture has become matte in some places, try polishing it with a lint-free cloth. If oiling out must…

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Would varnishing prevent this to happen?