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Fixing Pastel
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Message
Posted
I want to fix the pastel sketch’s I have done but I’m not keen on the sprays that can be bought to do this . It’s the toxicity of such sprays that I don’t like the idea of hence preferring not to use them , is there anything else I can use that is less toxic, some one suggested hair spray but that’s not an ideal solution.
I want to stop the pastel from rubbing of although I do keep them covered but it transfers to the back of the paper covering it . Hopefully something that won’t change the colours to much .
Posted
Don’t use hair spray under any circumstances! That’s really poor advice you’ve been given Paul… think tacky and yellowing… enough said!
To be honest, I do actually use the spray cans, albeit I’m not a lover of anything in a spray can, but sometimes needs must.
There is an alternative of course, and one that I have used in the past - it’s the simple atomizer!
Costs a pittance and does an excellent job when used with the correct product, Jackson’s will undoubtedly stock both products but I haven’t checked.
I’ve still got a couple in fact, but they aren’t as popular as they should be. They take a little bit of practice in order to get the required fine mist spray that’s needed, but a few practice runs (outside preferably), will prove helpful.
I’ll have a look shortly and see if I can find one online and post a pic…
Posted
This is the little chap… from Amazon no less - simple but effective. The distance between atomizer and pastel painting is the critical factor, practice makes perfect as they say!
The difficulty i had last time I looked, was trying to find the bottle of liquid that goes with it…
Edited
by Alan Bickley
Posted
Thanks Denise , I think I’m going to need to put up with it and get some more spray fix, it’s not for health reasons I don’t like using it just try not to use aerosols of any kind if there is a good alternative. I tend to take stuff out to the garage and spray with the doors open, never in the house as three of the family have quite bad asthma etc .
Fiona did suggest some sleeves to cover them , but unfortunately it was using them that I have smudged a few in the last couple of months.
Posted
Just to interrupt, sorry!
A book I have on pastels, strongly advises against fixative on a complete painting. It says it darkens the clours and makes them stodgy. And shows an example of a picture before and after. It suggests that fixatives are for lower layers, once complete, that the artist intends to add more pastel to.
They recommend we put the finished picture behind glass (not touching) or store between sheets of onionskin paper (greaseproof?). Not that I've done more than one pastel. Have to say I put fixative on one of my mother's portraits...and yes, it darkened.
Edited
by Norrette Moore
Posted
I never put fixative on a pastel, it deadens the colours. It’s ok on the first layer, if you must, but the first layers are thin and shouldn’t need fixing. I used to use a double mount, behind glass, but now prefer the more modern thicker mount, which is of equivalent thickness, and, of course, then behind glass. I store pastels or charcoal between glassine paper or greaseproof, making sure they don’t slide about. Oh…and I tap off excess pastel as I go. Never blow pastel off, it’s toxic and can cause serious breathing problems.
Posted
It might slightly darken the colour but a fine mist you can hardly notice a difference. That's unless you are soaking it in spray. I read books but sometimes you need to do the testing for yourself. Then make a decision as what you feel is best when working with multiple pastel and charcoal drawings. No book or advice is as good as trying a method out yourself and drawing your own conclusion.
Posted
Marjorie’s advice (above) is exactly what I do and I never have problems with smudging etc. if it’s the toxicity that worries you, there are a number of fixatives available that are not based upon resins and solvents. One that comes to mind IS SpectraFix Degas Pastel Fixative which is based on casein, a milk protein product. I don’t don’t know how well it works though and it is expensive.
