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Fixative
Workable fixative for pastels comes in a spray form and is used to set the pastels on the paper. You may also use it as you work on your painting in between the layers of pastel. Pastels are never permanently set, however; even with the use of this product, they will still smudge if you aren’t careful when handling your work. Some artists prefer not to use it, as it often dulls or darkens the colors of the pastels. While I don’t spray it with my own work, I do use it on my students’ paintings, since they are likely to smudge when being handled and transported to their homes.
There are many brands available in stores, ranging from about $5.00 to $25.00. A less-expensive route some people take is using aerosol hairspray (I’ve tried this when I was in a pinch), but it often doesn’t spray evenly across the painting.
If you decide not to fix your work, how do you protect it from smearing? The best way to protect your pastel painting is to frame them behind glass in a frame. If you aren’t framing your work yet, you could store it flat with glassine, an archival, translucent paper.
Return from FIXATIVE to PAINTING WITH PASTELS
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