Can I fix my chalk pastel paintings with hair spray?

Question

When I was a student I used to fix my artwork with hair spray as that is all i could afford. I am receiving commissions for my chalk pastels (I used to use watercolour) I want to know if I can use hairspray if yes what type, or is it best I use a profesional fixative that costs an arm and a leg but may be worth it in the end. Thanks very much!

Answer 1

hairspray carries the risk of leaving the surface sticky and of getting dust stuck to it.

You a much better off springing for the fixative. You can get workable or final fixatives. (you don't want to make a piece for comission and have it be sticky (as it will get in humidity) and stinking of hairspray.

Are your pieces going under glass? like in a frame?
If they are not, you should concider using s sealer spray as well. They come in glossy semi-gloss and matte and can actually help you add depth to your colors.

Hope this helps. It is great that you have commissioned pieces - speaking of which - if cost is a problem, build in the cost of using a proper fixative and or sealer to the cost of the piece.

Answer 2

I would suggest staying away from hair spray. it leaves a sticky residue that attracts dust. Buy yourself Krylon Crystal Clear or Matte Finish. They run about $7-$8 a can, sometimes $5-$6 if you can find a sale. The only problem with the Matte Finish is if you spray too much your artwork will appear a bit cloudy and it's pretty smelly so spray it in a well ventilated room and keep a fan going for about a half-hour. Other than that, it will be completely smudge-proof and last a lot longer. I prefer Matte Finish because a lot of times I'll use graphite in my work and it removes the glare that graphite can cause.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Actually, everyone is correct, the professional fixative is better BUT, when I was a POOR art student (generally we ALL are for a period of time!!), a good successful artist friend showed me a way to have BOTH worlds:

Invest in a spray diffuser, I can't recall any names but it is a small megaphone like cone that attaches to your hair spray with a short tube & a pump ball (like a perfume atomizer). I bought one at a department store back in the early 80s and hooked my cheap, CHEAP hairspray (Aquanet, in my area) to it & the charcoal & chalk pastels were well sprayed, evenly & lightly. You don't need to drench the paper because your work will become uneven. Make sure your work is lying flat & use a sweeping movement when you spray over the work. [DO A TEST TRIAL ON BLACK PAPER TO CHECK FOR DRIPS FIRST - I bought up old photo albums from the thrift stores, you know those where people use to attach real pictures into with those gummed white corner pieces?? - got tons of black test paper for pennies.]

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Can you find a source of more affordable professional fixative?
Since you are doing commissions I assume you'd want to do your best, and professional fixative is much better than hair spray.
I used to use the much cheaper hairspray too (about $1 a can) but my drawing teacher told me that fixative is much, much, MUCH better. I trust his years of experience. The stuff I use is about $5 for the same size can.

Answer 5

Use hairspray. It is cheap and works the same. You can use any brand, it makes no difference. Just make sure you spray the whole paper, not just the parts you have drawn on and don't use too much, or the paper will go bumpy and look wet even when dry. Spraying it lightly will fix just as well as spraying loads.

Answer 6

A can of Fixatif that will last a year costs about 7 bucks. Hardly an arm and a leg.

Answer 7

the hair spray in the can works but professional is better

Answer 8

i would invest in archival fixative it doesnt discolor the pictures and wont yellow over time.