Charcoal drawings-how to keep smudge free?

[weirdpuckett]

Hello everyone! I would like to know if anybody knows if there is some trick or technique that I can use to keep finished charcoal drawing from smudging and or losing charcoal? something like a spray or home remedy? Thanks peeps!

Mike

[Harmonygirl]

There is a spray that helps with smudging. Krylon makes a spray that helps to keep everything on your paper and not smudged or blown off.

Although I have heard that the spray used for pastels an cause the colours to darken and therefore lose the intended colour

Krylon isn't the only manufacturer. Your local art store will be able to help you with choosing the right one. The ones around me carry these products for less than 10 dollars

shannon

[weirdpuckett]

Thank you Shannon!!

[Menolly]

What you're looking for is a spray-on fixatif - there's two kinds, workable and non-workable. The workable kind is what it sounds like - prevents smudging while still letting you keep working on the piece. Krylon is a good
and; **** Bick sells another
and, Blue Label.

[weirdpuckett]

Wow!Great to know!!Thanks for info . . .Happy painting!

[demac]

I use hairspray would you believe and it works a treat the fixative spray was really expensive, I tried a little on a card and experimented and hey presto it worked
illiantly.

For smudges i use the putty rubbers to get rid of any smudges, its better than anything else also it helps to play with it whilst you are working then you have softened it up.

De

[weirdpuckett]

Thank you . . . .I think I have some "aquanet"

[Chikai0]

I agree with demac. Hairspray works beautifully for me and is very easy to work over.

[Harmonygirl]

The only prob I have had with hairspray is that I had a cheap one and it smelled.... whoa, everytime I went past that piece I got a headache.... so just beware with the hairspray you choose.... I know it is a silly comment and hairspray really does work great... but man, I hate the headache....

lol

luck

harmony

[kevinhall]

Great to know . Thanks for sharing .

[CarlOwen]

Auquanet is good, but be sure your paper is not to thin as it will wrinkle. I recommend nothing less than 50lb hot press.

[yoli]

Hello Kevin,
Believe it or not I have used "Interfold Bakery paper" for years ! it is a dry lightweight dry wax paper! Dixie makes it and you get 1000 sheets in a box !
There are different sizes.
I just tape it on the area I am working on . I really like it because It also helps keeping my hand clean when I work with my pastels. I always
found that the sprays while effective, tend to make the work look darker. You can buy it at any cake making supply store.

[Jwalk]

Oh I didn't know you can still work on the piece after you spray it.