What can you spray on a charcoal artwork to preserve it and protect it from smearing?

Question

I've heard from some that you can use AquaNet and from others that you can only use a certain spray made especially for that type of thing. Does anyone know exactly what I can use? Thanks.

Answer 1

I work in a frame shop and handle charcoal art frequently. Most of the expensive pieces that come in are never sprayed with a fixative. Rather, when we mat a piece, we use a preservation mount which means the art is secured to 100% rag content board (rag is acid-free) with conversation corners or plastic strips. All pastel and charcoal pieces have a raised mat so any of the chalk or charcoal that sloughs off the drawing while hanging doesn't land on the bevel mat edge, instead it drops behind the mat.
When asked to spray a piece, we use a good fixative but there is a trick to it. You start spraying way off the piece then sweep the spray across it and finish spraying way off the other side. This prevents globs, orange peeling and spatters from marring the art since most of that occurs when first depressing the nozzle or releasing it. We dust the art repeatedly rather than trying to seal it with just several thick coatings.
Another problem that often occurs is when the art is flat, never spray with the can directly over it as the nozzle will drip in that position and man-o-man does that make one angry when that happens! Instead, hold the can beyond the edge and dust from an angle. Often we prop the art vertical on a board and spray that way. And always use the 'over-spray' method.
If by chance something disasterous happens, i.e. a blob, drip, spatter, sometimes it can be concealed--not corrected--by finishing off the spray job then spray with a matte finish sealant.
I used hairspray on my own artwork as a kid but now I do all preservation mounts. I cover my art work with a protective paper, like tracing paper, to protect it until it can be framed.
Many of the expensive pastel portraits arrive covered with a protective top sheet.

Answer 2

You can use any type of aerosol hairspray...such as AquaNet. But you have to be careful how you spray it. You have to hold the can at least a foot away to ensure you don't get a blast from the can that will make it drip onto the paper. To put your mind at ease and get a little practice before you try it on the real thing, why don't you make a little test drawing in charcoal on the same type of paper and try the AquaNet method. Then you will know for sure you won't damage your artwork. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Yes, I always used hairspray for mine but there are special fixative sprays you can get in an arts supplies store (probably more expensive though, so might as well stick to aquanet, will do the job!)

Answer 4

Any aerosol hairspray works, but quite honestly, the cheaper the better. There are many fixatives on the market, but the fumes of many of them can be toxic and you will need to be sure to use them in a WELL VENTILATED area. You should still use the hairspray in a well ventilated area, but it's no where near as toxic. Not only is hairspray less/ non-toxic, but it's also MUCH much cheaper. There aren't too many artists I know that have a lot of money to throw around willy-nilly.

Answer 5

My college art professor swears by Aqua-net hairspray. It works! Take it outside and spray all over from about 10 inches away from your work. let dry and repeat spraying until the charcoal is to the desired hold. just don't spray it till it's wet! :)

Answer 6

cheapest thing? Hairspray. I'm dead serious. Spray a thing film on the picture and let it dry. It should curl up a little bit but it should flatten back out. It really works.

Answer 7

Any hair spray would work great. I have used all brands with equal results. Works good for pencil and pastels too.

Answer 8

I use krylon crystal clear fixative. a link is below.

I LOVE IT! I use it on everything from pencil to colored pencil to pastel to charcoal. it's awesome!

Answer 9

<>There are many such fixatives on the market. here are a couple:
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-supply/catalogs/0044819000000/?GCID=C12646x002&keyword=SennelierDelacroixPencil&CharcoalFixativePumpSpray250ml
http://www.dickblick.com/zz217/11/
Using hairspray is a "poor man's" version that probably will not protect as good as the "right stuff."

Answer 10

Go to the art or craft store and find "Workable Fix" or "Spray Fix".