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Fixative
Fixative (in an aerosol spray can) is a permanent protective coating used
for preserving and sealing pastels, pencils, watercolours, charcoals and inks.
The fixative is usually sprayed over a finished piece of artwork to avoid fingerprints and keep it from smearing.
Some artists also use a “workable fixative” to preserve any work in progress, re-touch or for layering without blending.
10 Tips for using Fixative
1.
Buy a good quality fixative (avoid using cheap hairspray).
2.
Make sure you use fixative in a well ventilated area (or outdoors) to
avoid inhaling any hazardous fumes.
3.
Place the artwork in an upright position and not flat on the floor.
4.
Test your spraying technique on a scrap piece of paper before you spray your artwork.
5.
Hold the fixative-can minimum two feet away from the artwork when spraying.
6.
The spray-can should be kept moving while spraying and spray a little past the edges (outside of the artwork).
7.
Spray two to three coatings evenly over the surface of the picture.
8.
Avoid using too much spray. Instead spray a few light coatings.
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9.As Fixative darkens the colours (especially any light tones,) any light areas can be over-painted on top of the fixative.
10.
Allow the fixative to completely dry before you paint or draw on top.
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