Is there a way to keep a pastel drawing from smudging when you touch it?

Question

i made a pretty picture of all pastel, but its messy and weird to touch. Is there a way to make it more of a finished product?

Answer 1

You have to get fixative spray that is good for pastels and charcoals and spray lightly across your drawing a few times. Dont hold it too close or spray too much in one spot or you will soak the paper. Just make sure you also open a window because most of the sprays are toxic and foul smelling so be careful. You get the spray at any art stores in your area---just ask someone there to help you find "Fixative"

Answer 2

Like everyone else suggested, once you are done, use a fixative spray to help protect it. Never touch it anywhere except on the edges, handle it as little as possible, and mat, and frame it once the fixative dries to protect it.

Even with all the above steps, you must be careful, as shock, or vibration will still cause some of the pastel to flake off. Exposure to sunlight, or harsh uv light will also cause the colors to fade.

Answer 3

Get it the way you like, and spray a clear finish over it. Some say hairspray, although craft shops have inexpensive sprays with different finishes, gloss or flat. This should keep it from smudging. Handle from the back, and by the edges. Mat and frame it.. Good luck.

Answer 4

It helps to make a sketch on paper and sketch that on your canvas in charcoal. You can remove mistakes by blowing on it. Also many artists use acrylics to make an under painting. That's a sketch in one color paint (burnt umber) and white to get a feel for placing and light and dark area's. But basically you can sketch with anything you want. Even a Sharpy, pencil or directly with oil isn't unheard of. You don't correct those by erasing as you are going to paint over it anyway.

Answer 5

Yeah - there is a spray you can get at any art store - it will protect it from smudging.

Answer 6

When its done spray it with a finishing spray, go to Michaels you should be able to get some there.

Answer 7

fixative spray is available from an art store.





Failing that- hairspray has been known to work if you dont have the money for fixative!


good luck in your artistic pursuits!

Answer 8

thre isnt a way that i know of but leave it their for a while and try not to touch it sorry i didnt have a better answer :)

Answer 9

Spray it with Krylon's Workable Fixatif. (Yes, that's how it's spelled).

Answer 10

use fixative spray or if for some reason you cant find it, use hair spray