I read in a few posts about 'spraying' your work? I assume this is so it doesnt smear or fade or anything? I would LOVE to know where and what its called, because i usually pull out old drawings and have to erase smears and touch it up over and over again.

Seeing as I primarily use only pencil, it is a hassle lol

N0help4u

Yes there is a spray fixative for pencil drawings
any art store should carry it with the drawing pencils and sketch paper.
Also a kneaded eraser is best for the smudges

Delow84

ya i always use the kneaded eraser, but never knew about spray, thnx nohelp, ill have to get me some..... I had someone tell me to use hairspray several years ago.... I miss that drawing lol.

N0help4u

Yeah never use hairspray or any other spray
and use the fixative sparingly.
You want to use it light enough that they paper doesn't get wet with the spray.

Delow84

k gotcha thnx again

KeepItSimpleStupid

Yipes! Haven't used that since I did some charcoal drawings many many years ago. Here is a reference: How to Apply Spray Fixative

Delow84

awesome thanks Keepitsimplestupid (man i gotta learn peoples names lol) I will prob pic me up some tomorrow to use on my self portrait.

Clough

In addition to the fine answers that you have already been given, I think that since you have mentioned pencil, that jrebel7 would be an excellent one to bring onto your thread, since she is a professional artist who does pencil drawings a lot! I will let her know about this thread.

jrebel7

Hi there!

You are correct that the fixative spray keeps the piece from smearing, smudging, losing the defined line and fading. I use a product called SEM ColorCoat Flexible coating, clear. I have used matt finsih and High Glass Clear and cannot tell a difference on paper, perhaps a slight difference with the High Gloss but not as much in appearance as just a little stronger. I draw on Strathmore Bristol Vellum 100# paper. This fixative dries quickly and can have a second coat quickly. I have two wires stretched and use clothes pins to catch each corner of the drawing or prints. Give them a nice even sweep, wait a few minutes and repeat.

USE ALL FIXATIVES IN WELL VENTILATED AREA. OUTSIDE IF POSSIBLE!

If a piece is going to be in direct sunlight or because of the style being softer or darks being really deep, I use Liquilam UV Liquid Laminate Glass Clear for Inkjet Prints...Blocks 99% UV Light, OUtdoor Durable. This takes a longer time to dry and if clean up is needed, needs mineral spirits. I use this on my prints done on canvas. If you find someone to scan your work so they can make Giclee prints, you can have even your pencil drawings on canvas or note cards, etc. I generally prefer the pencil drawings to be on paper and acryic painting prints to be printed on canvas but have had them on paper also.

Make sure you hang the piece to be sprayed, otherwise, you could get droplets of fixative on piece. When you spray the fixative, spray far enough away for it to be a gentle mist and better to do it twice than one heavy coat that might saturate the paper or run.

I use the fixative only when the piece is completed and ready to take to the printers to be scanned and prints made. If used prior to completion, makes it difficult to rework an area if you see something you want to change a bit.

I also use a kneaded eraser.......my constant buddy for clean up of smudges and use when lightening an area for contrast.

Looking forward to seeing more of your work Delow84!

Delow84

Wow thanks jrebel now I know what to get if I see multiple products. Me I usually use the drawing books that have the hard black cover. Dunno what the paper is like inside, I generally like smoother paper when doing pencil, so plain jane printer paper works out great for me as well. And I will only ever draw with a specific brand(two brands just in case one stops being sold) 0.5 mechanical pencil, or black ink

Kneaded eraser is so awesome, I just hate when I drop it and it gets dog hair on it lol.

When I get home I will post a few more of the portraits I have done, there is one in particular I did of my ex, I did it in pen. One shot through, no erasing or starting over. So I am proud of it lol.