Fixative Spray - is it safe for coloured pencils?

Are you unwittingly ruining your coloured pencil masterpieces with the wrong fixative spray? Before you risk damaging your artwork, learn how to choose the right one and avoid costly mistakes.

The scarcity of sprays specifically designed for wax coloured pencils underscores the crucial need for careful selection.

To ensure compatibility and avoid potential damage, always consult the manufacturer's instructions before you apply fixatives or solvents to your non-soluble wax coloured pencil artwork.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution: if a product doesn't explicitly state its compatibility, assume it's not suitable and test it on a separate surface first.

This simple precaution can prevent you causing irreversible damage to your artwork, such as compromised archival quality or faded colours.

On a positive note, you can generally use pastel fixatives and varnishes safely with wax coloured pencils. Remember that these guidelines serve as a starting point for your own research; it's essential that you continue exploring and refining your techniques.

Background to fixative spray

When artists work with soft pastels or pastel pencils, they consider fixatives an essential tool to bind the powdery surface and enable layering. However, they require careful application to avoid darkening colours and affecting contrast.

Interestingly, coloured pencil artists also rely on sealing sprays to create a fresh surface when they reach pigment saturation and to provide a permanent protective layer with UV protection.

What's crucial to note is that most fixatives cater specifically to pastels, which leaves wax-based coloured pencil artists with limited options.

Workable fixative

In June 2011, we received an enquiry from a French resident seeking a 'workable' fixative to seal coloured pencil pictures, allowing them to add more layers of colour.

This enquiry sparked our investigation into suitable brands for this specific purpose.

Our research led us to Gildow and Newton's Coloured Pencil Solution Book, which recommended Krylon Workable Fixative as a solution to prevent wax bloom.

Notably, the book cautions that fixatives can alter colour appearances, reiterating the need to test them on a sample patch before applying them to their artwork.

The key benefit lies in fixatives' to fix colours at convenient intervals, making them an invaluable tool for coloured pencil artists.

Fixative spray brands

We couldn't find Krylon workable fixative in the UK, so we explored alternative brands for coloured pencil art.

We tested Winsor & Newton's Artists Fixative, Daler Rowney Perfix, and Talens spray fixative that we had on hand over coloured pencil work. We found that Daler Rowney and Talens did not provide a suitable fixed matt surface for additional layers, as their surfaces were too smooth and lacked tooth.

Winsor & Newton's non-removable product (with UV filters) seemed promising, as the company listed it as suitable for pencil, but it didn't quite meet our expectations. Although the product protected finished work well from strong sunlight, its dry surface remained too smooth to accept even coats of additional wax colour.

Readers suggesting Lascaux Artists Fixative led to our real breakthrough. This suggestion brought us to the Great Art Group (Gerstaecker) and their own brand of spray. When we asked about the spray's suitability for coloured pencil work, the Great Art Group recommended Sennelier fixative d'Artigny or the Lascaux brand instead.

However, our original enquirer in France decided to test the Gerstaecker offering and reported impressive results – adding three more layers of pencil after a light coating! This fast-drying fixative leaves a slight sheen and is widely available at an affordable price.

Spectrafix Tests

In 2012, Spectrafix entered the UK market with a new casein-based fixative in a non-pressurised, pump-action spray bottle.

Although initially marketed for pastel use, artists soon discovered the product's versatility and suitability for pencil, charcoal, watercolour, and mixed media applications. We became interested in its potential for coloured pencil art after reading rave reviews from US artists who had used it for some time.

What sets Spectrafix apart is its eco-friendly formula - free from hazardous ingredients - and its unique matte finish that beautifully complements coloured pencil work.

Testing Spectrafix over pastel pencil: : A Comparative Analysis

To put Spectrafix to the test, Peter conducted a comprehensive comparison with other fixatives, focusing on its performance with pastel pencil and wax pencil work.

Notably, as a water-based option, Spectrafix is not suitable for fixing aquarelle pictures.

The first test focused on a base picture of an old doorway that Peter created using pastel pencil on grey/brown pastel paper with a typical grained surface. The paper lacked sizing, making it prone to buckling when exposed to moisture.

The initial image showcases the unfixed pastel pencil surface of the base picture.

The second image reveals the effect of applying Spectrafix to the right-hand side of the artwork.

To further compare its performance, he applied a standard Winsor & Newton Pastel Fixative to the left-hand side.

Interestingly, this revealed that Winsor & Newton's spray has a more pronounced darkening effect than Spectrafix, although the difference is relatively small.

Adding coloured pencil over the pastel

With the pastel surface fixed, the next step involved applying coloured pencil and assessing its impact.

In this test, Peter used Derwent Coloursoft to add details and lighten specific areas, such as the woodwork and gravel.

He then applied a layer of Spectrafix, but it's worth noting that the pump action spray head can be tricky to use, resulting in uneven spray patterns (visible as wet drops in the photo below).

Fortunately, once dry, these imperfections disappear, and the final finish stays unaffected.

To speed up the drying process, Peter used a hair dryer.

Applying wax-based coloured pencil over the fixed surface subsequently revealed no significant differences in handling or performance compared to applying it directly to the original surface.

Achieving subtle layering and blending was still possible, even when adding lights over darks or vice versa.

Considering Peter conducted this test on pastel paper without intending it for commercial use, the outcome satisfied him.

While Spectrafix performed well as a fixative, it didn't offer a significant advantage over Winsor & Newton's product in terms of preserving pastel values. However, its eco-friendly and odorless properties make it an attractive option.

In addition, the finished surface withstood additional layers of coloured pencil, which the Winsor & Newton product wouldn't allow.

Testing Spectrafix over pure coloured pencil picture

To put Spectrafix to the ultimate test, Peter applied it to a highly detailed, saturated coloured pencil image on watercolour paper.

He had previously deemed this challenging surface, which he created using oil-based pencils (Pablo and Polychromos) over a Caran d'Ache Supracolour foundation, too smooth to accept further pencil work.

The goal was to see if Spectrafix could transform this stubborn surface into a workable canvas. The full-sized picture is shown below.

The initial application of Spectrafix allowed Peter to build upon the right-hand side of the image, where the trees required additional work.

The final version shows that he added more colour to the tree cover, detailed shadows, and reflections in the water. He has now completed the left-hand side of the picture, featuring water and mountains, to a reasonable standard.

Notably, when applying a heavy fixative spray coat over the right-hand side, he observed that the casein granulated over the heavy layers of coloured pencil as it dried.

Although this didn't prevent further layers from adhering, the fixed surface was clearly less secure in these areas.

Despite this minor issue, Peter deemed the test a success, with Spectrafix significantly outperforming other fixative sprays.

Is Spectrafix a cure for wax bloom?

In response to a reader's inquiry, we'd like to clarify that the test above doesn't specifically address whether Spectrafix can cure wax bloom.

While our experiment used oil-based pencils that don't typically produce a bloom, we can confirm that Spectrafix has been successful in revitalizing surfaces worked with pastel pencils and pastels.

Interestingly, many American coloured pencil artists use Prismacolor Premier pencils, which are known to cause wax bloom with heavy application. These artists have reported positive experiences with Spectrafix.

Although we haven't come across concrete evidence of its effectiveness in preventing wax bloom, we'll continue to monitor feedback and update this post if new information emerges.

Expert Insights: Fixative Spray Best Practices

Renowned pastel artist Jackie Simmonds shares her expertise on using fixative spray effectively in pastel paintings.

She emphasizes a crucial distinction between using fixative as a layering tool versus a protective coating.

When working between layers, Simmonds recommends applying fixative liberally to restore the paper's texture and allow for more even pastel application. However, when protecting a completed piece, she advises spraying lightly and patiently allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before reapplying.

This careful approach allows artists to apply multiple coats of fixative without compromising colour quality.

While eventual framing under glass remains essential, Simmonds' technique provides a reliable way to safeguard pastel artworks from smudging until then.

Summary of findings

In conclusion, fixative sprays can be a valuable tool when working with pastel and pastel pencil, but it's crucial to approach their use with caution and careful consideration.

While no fixative is specifically marketed for coloured pencil use in the UK, our exploration has revealed that Lascaux and Spectrafix can be helpful in securing wax-based coloured pencil surfaces.

However, it's essential to remember that fixing is an experimental process, and thorough testing is necessary to avoid damaging your artwork.

As you weigh the benefits of fixative sprays, ask yourself: Are you prepared to take the risk of experimenting with fixatives to unlock new creative possibilities, or will you play it safe and explore alternative techniques?

By understanding the limitations and potential pitfalls of fixative sprays, you can make informed decisions that benefit your artistic practice.

 

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