On charcoals and pastels there is a clear gloss(or something) that you put over it to make it stay put?

Question

What is it called and where can I get it and how much does it cost? Thanks!

Answer 1

As an airbrush artist of over 30 years, I frequently use pastels to augment my work. Clearing it with an art fix or even basic hairspray are temporary fixes that while effective, not lasting. The solution I have found to be most effective and durable is any clear coat enamel spray from a hardware store (About $4.00). Sprayed lightly in even coats (about 3 coats misted) will suffice.

Answer 2

What I find works best for pencil, pastel, chalk and even charcoal is Workable Fixatif by Krylon. I believe I paid under $5.00 for it at Michaels, our local hobby shop and its lasted a long time. Put it on very sparingly and it will preserve your work very well. Be careful to use it in a well ventilated place though because it is extremely flammable. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Yes. It is called fixative and it is affordable even for poor little artists like myself. Usually required for college art classes otherwise everyone will call you a mooch or worse for always trying to bum theirs. Fixative comes in a spray can. Take the picture outside, put rocks or whatever weights you have on the four corners or else it will get blown away by the wind and stand upwind to spray away. Let dry and use several light layers or else you'll get temporary oily spots. Again, fixative is pretty cheap.

Answer 4

Its called spray fix but its an "art term" for hairspray. You can buy it for about 5 bucks at hobby lobby. I use aqua net when I use pastels in mix media paintings. Its the same thing and cost about a dollar.

Answer 5

Believe it or not Aquanet hair spray. Cheaper the better, but it has to be arosol. Good luck! Follow the same direction you would use to spray on hair, try to get humidity resistent! But not if its valuable! In which case call a professional framer!
Good luck and eat more peanut butter!

Answer 6

all I can say is... EEEEK!

Please - test the hairspray for yellowing first! Let it sit for 5 years just to make sure. I have some high school drawings that would have stayed the right colour had I not used hairspray.

Workable fixative isn't that expensive!

Answer 7

Yes. It's called clear lacquer, and you apply it with a sprayer, in a very fine mist. Buy it at any art supply store -- don't worry, it isn't expensive!

Answer 8

you can use any fixative- walmart special or a more expensive brand from a studio. you can also use cheap hair spray. this is my personal preference on work i create in class.
If i really love the work, i will invest in a good brand fixative.