Thank you, Karen - what a wonderful tutorial! ❤ I tried 1 teaspoon of acrylic medium, mixed in 250 ml destilled water. That worked really well, as a fixative in the spraybottle too! 👍
Karen, I love your work and all of your videos. I greatly appreciate your generosity in sharing so much information. Now, If I can only process and produce anything as beautiful as your lovely paintings. Many thanks!
The continuous sprayer with alcohol is awesome! Alcohol is inexpensive compared to buying an aerosols fixative. KUDOS on this work around.😉 I also enjoyed the marshland tutorial. The textures you achieved are impressive. Thanks again! Outstanding!😎🎉🥰
A treasure trove of wisdom, Karen, thank you. I remember a Teacher at school 'fixing' her pastels with what I assume was water, then placing a layer of glassine paper on top and ironing it! Have you ever tried fixing with an iron? My art teachers were a lovely group of laid back hippies and frenetic eccentrics, as you may have guessed. English eccentric artists are almost a cliché, now!
I just enjoy how you produce a beautiful painting out of the chaotic 'teenage' period ! I am constantly blown away how you emerge from that and create an exceptional landscape that takes my breath away!
Using a fine mist of alcohol as a fix is a great idea. I will have to give that a try. I like the idea of being able to add a few drips here and there. I have used it for underpainting but never thought to try it later. Fortune favors the bold they say. Thanks for the great idea... and I love your demo painting.
Have you used Spectrafix workable fixative? I use it frequently with pastels and it seems to have a similar effect but it does cost more than rubbing alcohol! Thank you for offering your expertise and being so generous with your knowledge!
Thanks for the alcohol tip. No one does grasses better than you do. I try and try to copy your hand movements, but my grass just looks like I scribbled. Beautiful painting! 👍
Thank you for all your help using pastels, I've been making and using a DYI version of Spectrafix, but this is such a great tip using just alcohol in the same mister I'm using. I've only been "pasteling" for just over a year and have picked up so much from your videos.🌺
Thank you Karen. I need to practice being more expressive in my painting. I tend to be so tight that I lose the feeling that I want to convey. This painting is really helpful with that technique.
Thank you Karen. I too have a problem obtaining workable fixative. I'm definitely going to try the isopropyl alcohol in a fine spray bottle. Thank you for your always informative and interesting videos.
I’m new to your videos. I’m self taught with acrylics but your painting is grabbing me! So beautiful! Are these chalk pastels? Would I be able to use them over acrylic? I thought the fixative was the final product and I am so delighted to learn how you get those astounding layers! After a pastel painting is complete, it it given a final fixative and framed under glass?
I took a pastel color theory workshop class last weekend for 2 days. I noticed the degas non toxic fixative darkened one of the pieces I did and I am not happy about it. I did not even think to try regular alcohol that I use for the underpaintings and I do have the same spray bottle you have in this video so I am going to be trying this myself. thank you for sharing! I am also looking for suggestions on the best tape to use for sanded papers- I have messy edges because I used carpenters tape which didnt stick to the lux archival very well. So I have messy edging.
Thanks for all these videos Karen - I am learning so much by painting along with you. I just purchased your Expressive Pastel Painting tutorial and it is terrific! I look forward to applying your techniques to interpret the photos in my photo library.
Thank you, Karen. Beautiful and inspiring work. I wonder what Degas used as a fixative. He worked on a very thin paper as I understand it correctly even glued paper to an original piece. He also used monotype as underpainting. Interesting to know his technique
@@michelemarchesani5139 I’ve heard about Spectrafix - to buy in a bottle and mix it with alcohol and use with continuous spray bottle. Will have to try
What is the ratio of rubbing alcohol with water to use in the continuous spray bottle or do you just use rubbing alcohol, solely, in the mister bottle. Thank you, Karen.
I really like watching your videos and I may buy some pastels. I have some questions about joining your Patreon. Will I get a list of supplies that are necessary? Should I join on the first of the month? If it is a month by month subscription, can a patron end the subscription after a few months?
Beautiful painting and helpful advice. I appreciate the demos you provide on your channel. I'm never sure what determines the color for the background of a soft pastel painting. What are the deciding factors? Is there more than one possible choice? Complementary color? I understand putting in dark, medium and light values of the background color. I work primarily in watercolors and only recently purchased soft pastels. I realize this probably can't be answered in a short paragraph, but would love to be connected to a link if you have addressed this in other videos. Thanks so much.
Thanks for watching! You have asked a great question and one that I do address over in my Patreon group. Unfortunately I have not made a UA-cam video on underpainting choices. I am adding it to my list. The short answer is that there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to picking paper color or underpainting colors. Every choice will give you different results and with lots of exposure/practice your choices will be more intuitive. There is definitely more than one choice or option and the beauty of pastels is that it is easy to layer to get different effects.
@@KarenMargulis Thanks, Karen for responding to my question so promptly. I surmised that the choices were often made intuitively and of course by experience. I guess pastel "thumbnails" would be a good option if you wanted to experiment with color layering over a particular background color before committing to a larger painting. Thank you for your thoughts.
@@KarenMargulis thanks. ive been watching portrait videos this was the 1st landscape video i watched. after my environment darkish apartment w north facing windows seemed more illumined.
That's good to know. I actually like the darkening color change effect for certain situations in my paintings so the rubbing alcohol works for this effect.
Mrs. Margulis, I have a book from 1990 (The Pastel Handbook by Ettore Maiotti) where the author gives 2 recipes for making pastel fixative to be put in a spray bottle. I'd appreciate it very much if you would test these recipes on both coated and uncoated pastel paper. Recipe 1: Mix 1 part damar resin with 9 parts alcohol in a spray bottle, let it sit for a few days before using it. If the solution is too thick to be sprayed, add a little alcohol at a time until it appears to be the right consistency. Recipe 2: Mix 1 part matt picture varnish with 12 parts 90% white spirit in a metal bottle. The total quantity of mixture should be half the volume of the spray bottle you will use. Seal the metal bottle and let it sit for 4 days, shaking it from time to time. Then uncap the metal bottle, place it in a saucepan filled with boiling water and simmer the water on the lowest heat for 3 minutes. Be very careful because the solution is highly flammable. Let the solution cool, then filter the liquid through a piece of muslin. Then use this fixative liquid in the spray bottle.
Thank you very much for sharing these recipes. Do you know if they are considered workable fixatives or final fixatives? It seems from the ingredients to be a final fixative which will not allow reworking. Let me know if you know the answer. Thanks!
@@KarenMargulisI think they're workable, the author advises the pastelist to spray the fixative lightly between layers, waiting for the pastel layer to dry before going over the dried layer with more pastel. He also advises the pastelist to wear a mask when spraying. The only non-toxic recipe I know (recommended for those with allergies, pregnant women, etc.) is from the 1994 book "Pastels (Ron Ranson's Painting School Series)" by Diana Constance: Use half a teaspoon of gelatin to 2 pints (1 litre) of water, and allow the mixture to stand for a couple of hours. Then dissolve it in a double boiler and apply it with a diffuser from at least 1 ft (30 cm) away from the paper. But I don't know if this fixative is workable or not.
Thank you, Karen - what a wonderful tutorial! ❤ I tried 1 teaspoon of acrylic medium, mixed in 250 ml destilled water. That worked really well, as a fixative in the spraybottle too! 👍
I love your video lessons because you have a gift of being able to teach and paint at the same time!
Glad you enjoy them! I appreciate your feedback!
You are the best instructor that I’ve seen on UA-cam; thank you for all the tips! I do think you need to invest in better, studio lighting!
Glad you did the research for us and are sharing. This is the sign of a great teacher. Thank you.
Thanks for watching! I appreciate your comment!
Karen, I love your work and all of your videos. I greatly appreciate your generosity in sharing so much information. Now, If I can only process and produce anything as beautiful as your lovely paintings. Many thanks!
Thank you, Karen. BTW Michaels has the spray bottle.
The continuous sprayer with alcohol is awesome! Alcohol is inexpensive compared to buying an aerosols fixative. KUDOS on this work around.😉 I also enjoyed the marshland tutorial. The textures you achieved are impressive. Thanks again! Outstanding!😎🎉🥰
A treasure trove of wisdom, Karen, thank you.
I remember a Teacher at school 'fixing' her pastels with what I assume was water, then placing a layer of glassine paper on top and ironing it!
Have you ever tried fixing with an iron? My art teachers were a lovely group of laid back hippies and frenetic eccentrics, as you may have guessed. English eccentric artists are almost a cliché, now!
Sounds like something close to what Degas did with steaming his paintings. I have not tried either but I will!!
@@KarenMargulis oooh I didn't know this thank you, time to set up the ironing board!
I just enjoy how you produce a beautiful painting out of the chaotic 'teenage' period ! I am constantly blown away how you emerge from that and create an exceptional landscape that takes my breath away!
Any other hacks you've discovered through the years? Your tips and tricks are invaluable-- keep 'em comin'!
Thanks for watching my videos!! I have lots more demos and tips over in my Patreon group! Patreon.com/karenmargulis
Karen, I really enjoy your paintings and your teaching method. Thank you!❤
Using a fine mist of alcohol as a fix is a great idea. I will have to give that a try. I like the idea of being able to add a few drips here and there. I have used it for underpainting but never thought to try it later. Fortune favors the bold they say. Thanks for the great idea... and I love your demo painting.
Thank you very much! I appreciate your feedback!
I use Tresomme non fragrant hairspray which does an amazing job.
Thanks Karen. I get so much from your lessons.
You are so welcome!
Have you used Spectrafix workable fixative? I use it frequently with pastels and it seems to have a similar effect but it does cost more than rubbing alcohol! Thank you for offering your expertise and being so generous with your knowledge!
I used it in a continuous spray bottle because the pump spatters, and I really liked it
J'adore vos cours pleins de conseils aussi généreux. Ils aboutissent toujours à de merveilleux paysage.
Thanks for the alcohol tip. No one does grasses better than you do. I try and try to copy your hand movements, but my grass just looks like I scribbled.
Beautiful painting! 👍
Wonderful and visual! I've been using alcohol spray for pastels for a long time...
So good to know this about the alcohol 👍🏼 Thanks Karen 🌞
Love all your videos! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing i enjoy and have learnt a lot from your channel
Thanks for your budget friendly tips!!!! You are such a beautiful soul. So kind to share your talents.
Thank you so much! I appreciate you watching!
Thank you for providing an alternative to the Blair Low Odor fixative! I enjoyed the demo and seeing this solution in action.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great instruction! Thanks,Karen
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for researching fixatives for us.
You are welcome! I do plan to do even more research!
Do you ever use hairspray as a fixative? Loved your video and finished piece!
Thank you for the info. This will also be more econimical. I alreadybhave this spray bottle.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
I always use AquaNet hairspray on all the mediums I work with. It’s great as a workable fixative.
Thank you for all your help using pastels, I've been making and using a DYI version of Spectrafix, but this is such a great tip using just alcohol in the same mister I'm using. I've only been "pasteling" for just over a year and have picked up so much from your videos.🌺
Thank you for watching!
Great video! Have you experimented with Sennelier Latour Spray Fixative for Pastels?
Thank you Karen. I need to practice being more expressive in my painting. I tend to be so tight that I lose the feeling that I want to convey. This painting is really helpful with that technique.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Love your work
Love your work Karen! I'm going to give the alcohol as a fixative a try....Jude
Love your paintings and teaching- even your 'ugly stage' paintings are beautiful! Love watching you work up the layers thank you
Thank you Karen!
Absolutely clear and helpful instructional demonstration. You are truly a fine instructor, so rare.
i love ur channel !
Love your painting and the tips you bring with it! Really lovely and helpful.
Thanks so much 😊
Thank you Karen. I too have a problem obtaining workable fixative. I'm definitely going to try the isopropyl alcohol in a fine spray bottle. Thank you for your always informative and interesting videos.
Thank you!! I'm glad you gave this a try!!
LOVE this painting! Lovely colors that pop, melt, and glow. Great demo and tips. Thank you.
Thank you so much!
I’m new to your videos. I’m self taught with acrylics but your painting is grabbing me! So beautiful! Are these chalk pastels? Would I be able to use them over acrylic? I thought the fixative was the final product and I am so delighted to learn how you get those astounding layers! After a pastel painting is complete, it it given a final fixative and framed under glass?
I took a pastel color theory workshop class last weekend for 2 days. I noticed the degas non toxic fixative darkened one of the pieces I did and I am not happy about it. I did not even think to try regular alcohol that I use for the underpaintings and I do have the same spray bottle you have in this video so I am going to be trying this myself. thank you for sharing!
I am also looking for suggestions on the best tape to use for sanded papers- I have messy edges because I used carpenters tape which didnt stick to the lux archival very well. So I have messy edging.
Thank you for all of your content I have been following you for awhile and really learning alot from you!!
Amazing painting. I will try to paint my version. Thank you so much❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for all these videos Karen - I am learning so much by painting along with you. I just purchased your Expressive Pastel Painting tutorial and it is terrific! I look forward to applying your techniques to interpret the photos in my photo library.
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!
Want to see more!!
Karen this is a complete FABULOUS video.. thanks for all you do!!!
Thank you so much!
Great info thank you
lijepi pozdrav iz hrvatske
Thank you for an excellent lesson 😊
Thank you for sharing your gifts and tips! I love your paintings and demos!
Thank you so much!
Wish you had new content! Love your teaching style!
Thanks!! I've been busy this season with in person workshops. I hope to get back to creating new UA-cam videos in November.
Thank you so much for this tip! Your examples showed the value of a fixative which I was unaware of!
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!
Beautiful work and thank you for sharing your talent.
Thank you very much!
Thank you so much, Karen! Love your lessons! Hope to join your Patreon someday when I have more time for learning.
Wonderful demo!
You are marvelous!Thank you!
Great demo of the alternatives! Very helpful to us as beiginners
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!!
Thank you, Karen. Beautiful and inspiring work. I wonder what Degas used as a fixative. He worked on a very thin paper as I understand it correctly even glued paper to an original piece. He also used monotype as underpainting. Interesting to know his technique
Good question and one I need to research! Thanks for watching!
Casein based. Spectrafix makes a version. I have an old recipe book that suggests skim milk, I am sure someone's already suggested this though.
@@michelemarchesani5139 I’ve heard about Spectrafix - to buy in a bottle and mix it with alcohol and use with continuous spray bottle. Will have to try
What is the ratio of rubbing alcohol with water to use in the continuous spray bottle or do you just use rubbing alcohol, solely, in the mister bottle. Thank you, Karen.
Amazing
Thank you!
I really like watching your videos and I may buy some pastels. I have some questions about joining your Patreon. Will I get a list of supplies that are necessary? Should I join on the first of the month? If it is a month by month subscription, can a patron end the subscription after a few months?
Beautiful painting and helpful advice. I appreciate the demos you provide on your channel. I'm never sure what determines the color for the background of a soft pastel painting. What are the deciding factors? Is there more than one possible choice? Complementary color? I understand putting in dark, medium and light values of the background color. I work primarily in watercolors and only recently purchased soft pastels. I realize this probably can't be answered in a short paragraph, but would love to be connected to a link if you have addressed this in other videos. Thanks so much.
Thanks for watching! You have asked a great question and one that I do address over in my Patreon group. Unfortunately I have not made a UA-cam video on underpainting choices. I am adding it to my list. The short answer is that there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to picking paper color or underpainting colors. Every choice will give you different results and with lots of exposure/practice your choices will be more intuitive. There is definitely more than one choice or option and the beauty of pastels is that it is easy to layer to get different effects.
@@KarenMargulis Thanks, Karen for responding to my question so promptly. I surmised that the choices were often made intuitively and of course by experience. I guess pastel "thumbnails" would be a good option if you wanted to experiment with color layering over a particular background color before committing to a larger painting. Thank you for your thoughts.
I love your work, so inspiring. Thank you.
Thank you so much!
Love how this turned out. Does the alcohol have to be 70%? Looking forward to learning more from you and your video lessons.😄👩🎨
Thankyou so much.Ive just bought pastels and almost gave up! Your amazing 👏
Kind regards Clementine
You can do it! Thanks for watching!
Is the water flowing towards the viewer w a dip down {line at 33 min} so the water is more still and settled around foreground?
Yes that was the plan!
@@KarenMargulis thanks. ive been watching portrait videos this was the 1st landscape video i watched. after my environment darkish apartment w north facing windows seemed more illumined.
Have you tried Blick’s workable fixative. I’m happy with results
I have not! I will add it to my list!
Thanks!
Thank you very Much Sandra! Much appreciated!!
Wonderful!! I have a question, Karen... How many times during a painting can you use the fixative and then add more pastels?
Great tip! Did you know that you can get 90% rubbing alcohol? Dries much faster. Please do not breathe alcohol mist!
Thanks!! Yes I have been told that it dries faster but has a higher flash point so not good for travel. Thanks for watching!
Hello Karen if you sell a painting in soft pastel how do you go about the painting not getting smudged when you ship it
I make a sandwich from foam core and cover the painting with glassine paper.
Is your alcohol fixative 100 percent rubbing alcohol? No dilution with some water?
Genuis!
Thanks!!
I use only Krylon Fine Art Fixative. It never changes the color and is invisible.
That's good to know. I actually like the darkening color change effect for certain situations in my paintings so the rubbing alcohol works for this effect.
So Isopropyl alcohol is the solution solution.
Karen, have you tried a stronger solution, like 99% isopropyl alcohol? (Not sure if it would damage the spray pump...)
Mrs. Margulis, I have a book from 1990 (The Pastel Handbook by Ettore Maiotti) where the author gives 2 recipes for making pastel fixative to be put in a spray bottle. I'd appreciate it very much if you would test these recipes on both coated and uncoated pastel paper.
Recipe 1: Mix 1 part damar resin with 9 parts alcohol in a spray bottle, let it sit for a few days before using it. If the solution is too thick to be sprayed, add a little alcohol at a time until it appears to be the right consistency.
Recipe 2: Mix 1 part matt picture varnish with 12 parts 90% white spirit in a metal bottle. The total quantity of mixture should be half the volume of the spray bottle you will use. Seal the metal bottle and let it sit for 4 days, shaking it from time to time. Then uncap the metal bottle, place it in a saucepan filled with boiling water and simmer the water on the lowest heat for 3 minutes. Be very careful because the solution is highly flammable. Let the solution cool, then filter the liquid through a piece of muslin. Then use this fixative liquid in the spray bottle.
Thank you very much for sharing these recipes. Do you know if they are considered workable fixatives or final fixatives? It seems from the ingredients to be a final fixative which will not allow reworking. Let me know if you know the answer. Thanks!
@@KarenMargulisI think they're workable, the author advises the pastelist to spray the fixative lightly between layers, waiting for the pastel layer to dry before going over the dried layer with more pastel. He also advises the pastelist to wear a mask when spraying.
The only non-toxic recipe I know (recommended for those with allergies, pregnant women, etc.) is from the 1994 book "Pastels (Ron Ranson's Painting School Series)" by Diana Constance:
Use half a teaspoon of gelatin to 2 pints (1 litre) of water, and allow the mixture to stand for a couple of hours. Then dissolve it in a double boiler and apply it with a diffuser from at least 1 ft (30 cm) away from the paper.
But I don't know if this fixative is workable or not.
Do you have the formula?
💕💯🎨🎨🎨
I never get a company stop making a product that they’re selling
I love how you use pastels. How do you use them on canvas vs paper or is it the same.
Thanks! It is the same but the texture of canvas will give you a different effect.
I use Tresomme non fragrant hairspray which does an amazing job.
Thanks!