Can I draw with charcoal and then use fixative on a tote bag?

Question

I bought a tote bag and I plan in drawing on it and then using something to make the charcoal stay there and not run or get smudged.

This is a picture of the bag.
http://i22.tinypic.com/2vklvkl.jpg

Answer 1

No, but what you can do is create the drawing, photocopy it, and then use a transfer medium like "Picture This" or even have it photocopied onto some special transfer paper that can be ironed on to the fabric. There are also transfer crayons and transfer pencils that you can use the draw with and then directly iron your picture on the bag. You can find most, if not all, of these items at a art and craft store like Hobby Lobby.
Good Luck

Answer 2

If it's for your own personal use you can, but if you are selling it then I would try to use one for a matter of three months before deciding if a fixative will have the staying power. I say if it is for yourself because if the fixative does not work accordingly then you yourself can mend it as the work is your own. But someone who is giving you money for it? It will have to hold up to a lot of abuse.
Experiment with some aerosol shellacs covering the whole of the bag. Although it yellows that might work.

Answer 3

It won't work. You'll be smearing and depositing charcoal on yourself and your clothing.

But if you were to make a charcoal drawing on paper, scan it into your computer, print the drawing out onto transfer paper, and iron the image onto your bag---that will work.

Answer 4

simple answer NO. Fixative will not seal the surface.