varnishing with a handicap

Last days I've had some troubles with the varnish. (Don't have much experience with oilvarnishing yet...)
It seems that the layers I put on were so thin that while sanding lightly between layers the varnish weared off.
After 2 slightly thicker layers the surface is neatly closed.

I've applied some colour to the top and head - van Dyke's crystal dilluted in water, applied with a sponge. It gives the instrument a more 'aged' look.