How to use fixative spray - DOs and DON'Ts
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- If you want to protect your finished artwork, this video will show you how to use fixative spray along with the DOs and DON'Ts that you need to know to minimise damaging your work by spraying incorrectly.
Should I spray a fixative? How do I use it? When shouldn't I use it? Can I use hairspray instead? All of these questions and more will be answered for you once and for all.
MY FULL CHARCOAL DRAWING TUTORIAL ON GUMROAD: gum.co/NxtCt - Drawing a Realistic Pear Using Charcoal. 80+ minutes of my charcoal drawing process I teach in my workshops. Suitable for all skill levels.
Buy fixatives here: NB-Fixative aerosols are not permitted to be sent via airmail. So it is recommended to purchase from within your own country.
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Timecodes:
00:00 START
00:21 INTRODUCTION
00:59 DOs & DON'Ts
02:06 PROS & CONS of USING FIXATIVE
03:33 THE BEST METHOD OF USING FIXATIVE
04:38 WHEN SHOULDN'T YOU USE FIXATIVE?
04:56 THE GOLDEN RULES OF USING FIXATIVE
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Great information. Thank you. However, it would have been much better to decrease the background music level a bit.
Yes, thank you. Thought the music was a cool idea at the time of making the video to make it less dull and boring. Now I know better! lol
@@tommullinerart i agree, excellent information but the music is annoying, subscribed anyway
@@tommullinerart Removing it altogether would be perfect. It's very distracting especially for anyone who has impaired hearing.
I didn’t mind the music 🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻
I agree I was struggling to pick what to listen to 😂
Excellent break down! I work in pastels, and sanded board and workable fixative were a revelation. Once you start exploring sprays, grounds and mediums, it opens up whole new dimensions of possibility. Building layers adds so much richness and character to your work.
Ok so far you are the only person who has said what will happen if I use hair spray. Good stuff
If you intend on selling your work, of course don't use hairspray. It'll probably take a few years to start yellowing and might even start cracking and flaking off (depending on how thickly it's applied) but, just don't is my advice lol
I mainly like to draw in sketchbooks, so I've been needing a way to prevent smudging from page to page. I did buy a can of Fixative recently, but I didn't really know how I should be using it. Thanks, this does help ! I would've never guessed I was supposed to leave it out to dry for that long, as it seemed to dry fairly quickly...
Hi thanks for your comment. You may have noticed in your sketchbook the back of the previous pages get rather mucky too? Best way to lessen that and to keep things cleaner would be to interleave the pages with glassine or tissue paper (the type you wrap gifts with) - happy drawing, TM
@@tommullinerart I see ! Thanks for the advice ! I haven't really noticed that much wrong apart from smudging ( and warping and bleed-throughs depending on the media ) but I'll definitely keep it in mind !!
Wow, seriously underrated video. Very helpful. Thanks so much!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you - means a lot to me :-)
I’m new to drawing ✍️
This video is well thought & explained👌
Thanks for sharing 🤝
The main reason for not using spray fixative below 5° is it can turn milky when it is exposed to cold temperatures. Hence it ruins all those hours spent creating a wonderful piece of art work.
Also it can turn your work milky if there is a lot of moisture in the air.
Sadly have learnt this from experience many years ago.
That's interesting to know - thanks for the feedback and I'm sorry for your lost works
@@tommullinerart all good I actually learnt it well teaching a student who was in a super hurry to finish her work and ignored the warning on the tin. Her work had a milky film within minutes of spraying. Our temperature was about 3°C. It was disappointing as she had spent 6 hour lessons on the piece.
Very informative, however the background noise is too overpowering.. thank you
Yes, thank you (and sorry)
I am a novice really despite drawing since I was able to hold a pencil ..so VERY useful thankyou..I am 58 and doing a fine art degree right now. I wish we had technique lessons at Uni...but I get why not.
One problem I have with art education in school is that they don't really tell you HOW to do anything they just let you "discover". I would have loved to just know how to paint and draw realistically when growing up. You've chosen a great time to learn. Best of luck with the degree and thank you for watching my channel x
Very comprehensive video thanks a lot
So nice of you
That was very helpful. Thank you.
This was very helpful. I have been reading reviews on fixative products and became quite worried about using it on my art. Your wafting idea solves so many complaints and I have really wondered if it was necessary at all. Plus most are very expensive. I suggest to read buyers reviews on any fixative before ordering. It was a real eye opener of what can happen to your art work.
Glad it was helpful!
Interesting point about getting the mist of it. I will try it since my first try ever made it from total dark to grey and i prefer the darker look definitely. Thanks!
Really useful info, thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
What a quality made video :DD
Thank you for this 🙏😊
My pleasure 😊
Very valuable suggestions, thank you. Wafting the work through sprayed air sounds like a clincher.
great information..thanks❤
THANK YOU SO MUCH OMG
Dude, good video but background music is too much annoying.
Seems to be the consensus from others too! thanks for the feedback. Duly noted (pun intended)
I agree
Wow...it took nearly 4 minutes before you told us how to do it. Lots to sift through... Thanks.
That's why I included the time stamps to jump to different chapters. Thank for watching.
thanks it helped a lot
Glad it helped
I like your video. Your mind. Interesting. Thank you.
I appreciate that!
I liked the comparison of fixative methods at the end. Like you, I'm reluctant to apply the fixative. I do think a properly rated face mask is important if using the fixative, along with some safety glasses. I saw someone else lay the art flat near the opening of a garage (to minimize wind) and spray above it but not directly at the art, allowing the fixative to drift down. If I try this I will also have a floor fan ready behind me, to encourage any remaining airborne fixative to exit the garage space. With your wafting method, I would suggest wearing a nitrile glove along with taping a small trash bag or similar to your arm, to protect your skin and clothing. As you move the art through the air it bends, and I wonder if this has ever caused a noticeably uneven application. Perhaps if you mounted the art to a lightweight board it would work even better. Thanks for the video.
Could still use assistance finding my way through the myriad brands and types of fixatives out there. Thanks... this was definitely helpful.
Great suggestion - I'll look into making a brand comparison (and type of fixative) at some point
Idk why but I actually LOVE the yellow tone hairspray gives 🤷🏼♀️LOL
Good video, but the music is way to loud.
The first editing 👏👌
I tried
If you use the spray in cold conditions the propellant may tend to come out in large droplets
I want to let you know how much this video means to me. I’m doing a memorial piece for 5 close losses I’ve had this year. Brandon lake has a song called graves into gardens, it says “you turn mourning to dancing, ash into beauty, graves into gardens” my grandmother loved the azaleas her ashes are scattered by her favorite bush, I’m doing a work make with charcoal (ash(not her ash, wood ash))but wasn’t sure how to make it all stay nice and pretty, my schools art teacher recommended workable fixative, but I had to clue where to start. My art skill are in 3D art and auditory art, so this is different for me. You’ve given me the courage to continue this project. Thank you so very much.
I'm so sorry to hear you've had such sad news recently. And as Brandon said - you'll make your grandmother proud with your artwork by turning the sorrow into art
Looks interesting, had to stop 2 minutes in because of the music
Just thinking about your rules, perhaps affixing the artwork vertically at chest height, then spraying a bit of distance away so the larger droplets don't make it to the artwork might achieve the same result of wafting it, which seems to invite uneven coating and perhaps wrinkling. What do you think?
That might work well too, I reckon. Thank you
Wrinkling would only occur if the paper stock is too thin to take the moisture.
Great video thank you. So I have a large picture printed that I have signed by multiple people. Can I use this method on the photo so that the signatures won't smudge the more I get? And would it be okay to only spray on the one spot that the signature is on? Since the photo is large about 23"x17" how can I effectively use the spray and pass by method?
I would NOT recommend spraying fixative on a photo. Especially if it's been printed at home as it will lift the ink and ruin your photo! 😬. Your best bet is to either laminate it or the best option - get it framed behind glass as soon as you can.
Just a comment for the algorithm, awesome video! Although I'm still unsure if I need to do this now
As I said in the video, (albeit unclearly) - I usually don't fix my dry media artworks unless I'm posting them or feel it needs a little protection. If it's going into a frame, I might use a bit, but it'll always need glass in front. If the frame has acrylic glass, it most definitely should be sprayed due to the static charge of the acrylic glass attracting any small particles.
Great information.... can you lower the background music volume and increase ur volume....
Ok next time
Too loud background music!
Good video. But for commisdion work and mixed media work on canvas soaraying can alter the matte finish of pastel. Tricky if you want contrasts in textures (matte/silky/glossy/ kept ( paint, ink, pastel etc...).
Yes, I totally agree which is why i try not to spray at all if I can help it. Working on pastelboard can significantly reduce the need to spray.
great advice and beautiful work but I found the music over this video to be too busy/distracting and loud taking away from the info given.
Sorry about that
after spraying my charcoal drawing with fixative, will i be able to scan it safely? (i am making a print of a piece i have done for my cousin)
it'll still come off a bit on the scanner glass. But if you're careful, you can minimise the charcoal coming off. It shouldn't be enough to change your artwork - so go ahead and scan it carefully after spraying
i have a big piece id like to protect (18 x 24 in) will spraying it a fair distance away work like wafting?
also would you recommend a fixative for colored pencil? i read online that a light coat is good for it but im not sure
If you want to display the piece, a light spraying will help protect it. But there's nothing better than getting it behind glass, too. Spraying at a fair distance would work, but never spray the piece when it's in a horizontal position as large droplets can fall onto it and will be noticeable. If your going to store it away, again, a light spraying and a sheet of glassene (or even greaseproof baking paper) in front to lessen smudging.
I'm not too sure about the coloured pencil question, but I shouldn't think it'd need spraying.
If I frame with a mount should I still be using the fixative beforehand.
it's always worth spraying lightly (if you want to fix it), as over time and bumps, small charcoal/pastel particles will fall down without fixing.
The spray might turn to ice mist below a certain temp and be inhaled in a condensed form into your lungs..or get into the eyes.
So should I use a fixative if I'm planning on submitting a soft pastel art piece into a state fair competition p.s. im new to using soft pastels ,ive usalay worked with polychrome colorpencils
It's really up to you. If I were you, I would give it a very light fix and definitely have it framed behind glass as pastel is very delicate. Best of luck
Great video, thanks. I'd like to frame all my pencil artwork but that seems impossible. And I would Iike to sell my drawings. Would it be okay if I don't spray a fixatif and just sell my artwork as is? My paper artwork, if smaller than 8x10 I can use plastic sleeves but my canvases I can just display and sell as is. Would that be okay? I've tried spraying with a workable fixatif but the pencil stills comes off on my fingers, I can't seem to stop that from happening. Thanks for you feedback.
I wouldn't bother spraying pencil drawings. As long as they're not rubbed, graphite is quite durable. Store them and post them with glassene sheets in between.
What kind of fixative do I use for my ballpoint pen sketch?
Thank you for your question. Ball point pen you may know is solvent-based (rather than water-based) so will run and completely ruin your drawing if you use normal fixative on it! So don't do it! I would recommend getting it framed behind glass or clear acrylic Plexiglass as the best option for you. Otherwise, keep it in a folder or portfolio with some glassine (used by artists as a special protective paper). Hope this helps.
@@tommullinerart Thank you so much. You saved my art 😊😊
Great video. I like your method for a gentle layer. Also the music is pretty great. I felt intense drama or horror was going to happen the whole time. haha
Thanks for watching and for the great feedback - happy drawing, Kai! 😉
Can i use a fixative on acrylic painting?
Yes, you can, but I don't see the benefit of doing so as dry acrylic paint acts like a waterproof polymer anyway and is very hard wearing.
If you're after a shiny/glossy look to your acrylic painting, you can use a spray or, better still, a brush on gloss varnish.
I don't know if people still at the comments of this thing but I have a conundrum.
I use a lot of different pens and inks that aren't waterproof but I recently got into watercolor and want to combine the two without ruining the inks. I thought protecting the inks with something would be good, but I don't know how to do that and the only thing that shows up when I search is fixative spray.
would spraying fixative onto my inks make it protected from watercolor?
if not, what would yall recommend?
whenever you can, use Indian ink to do your penwork which is waterproof. Try a test piece - the inks you use could still bleed a little with the fixative - there's only really one way to be sure, though. Happy painting!
thanks for the tips I am always wondering why my charcoal portraits always degrades overtime so quickly
Domo arigato gozaimasu! Thank you for watching and for your comments 😊
Is workable fixative a decent way to add tooth to a paper for pastel drawings, for people too poor to afford sanded paper?
you can buy pastel primer gesso to prepare surfaces for pastel work, but again it's quite pricey. You can use any thick stock watercolour paper, or card stock (as long as it's not too glossy).
What music
What is the difference between fixative and clear coat
Erm I'm no expert but from what I understand, clearcoat is a polyurethane lacquer used to protect car paint from the elements. While fixative usually contains casein or synthetic resin to protect artwork from smudging too much. Clearcoat has to be applied as a complete layer/barrier between the paint and the elements. So even though we're talking only microns, clearcoat will have to be a much thicker layer. Fixative spray would work similar to hairspray on your head in that it holds the loose parts in place but isn't an impenetrable barrier.
Hello! I want to use it for my graphite sketchbook pieces. The paper is 150 gsm...will it work or is it too thin?
It should be ok to use in small amounts
@@tommullinerart thank you!
Me trying to go outside and spray in winter when it always is below 5°C
Not fun. It tends to be more windy in winter too
@@tommullinerart Yeahh. Art is a complicated Hobby. Really looking foreward for more amazing content of yours!
What do you do in winter then? I mean, there must be anything we can do to protect our art pieces.
Hi can I use the winsor and newton fixative spray on Oil pastels?
No you can't. W&N fixative will dilute the oil pastels and make them run. Oil pastels by their nature will always stay "tacky" to touch and will never dry. If you want to preserve you oil pastel artwork, you should get it framed behind glass to avoid dust and lint getting stuck to it.
@@tommullinerart Hello and Thank you so much for the high-quality educational material. I have a question please, on the same subject... are oil paints not the same nature as Oil pastels? Can I use the same advice above by adding glassine paper above the work? I will use it with mixed media. I am a beginner, that means my work couldn't be framed -costly. Thanks again.
The background music was very disturbing to me and distracted me from the good information.
Hi sir, i currently want to ship an artwork to Mr Beast's warehouse, i'm now stuck on if i should spray or not cause i don't plan on working on the drawing anymore and i dont want the detail to fade with the fixative, should i spray doing the waft or not spray at all? i will be shipping the paper alone without a frame but i am making it a little sandwich of protection using cardboard and putting it inside the regular fedex box. My concern is when it's pulled out of the sandwich of cardboard that it will get smudges by whomever pulls it out
put the artwork inside two sheets of glassine paper to protect it. Perhaps you should also mount it to a piece of card too.
hey i think the music wasnt loud enough please make it louder next time!!
The music is ugly and so loud, I couldn’t continue, is so stressful . But thanks the information looks very good.
Music to loud I do not understand sorry ByBy
And what of wafting an A1 piece?!
lol - indeed that would be a lot trickier to manage. The spray cone of the can wouldn't cover as large as A1 in one spray anyway so I would suggest spraying from a greater distance with the artwork attaches to a drawing board propped up on a easel. That way, the larger droplets would still get a chance to drop short of the artwork and not ruin it.
music is waaayyy to loud
yeah I know - I'm sorry. I can't alter it now it's uploaded
Numbre 3 doesn't work for me. My drawings are huge😣... other than that, it was all very useful information. Thanks so much❤
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for information. Please reduce background noice 😢
Ok next time
Fixative mutes the reflectivity of graphite deepening it's tonal values.
that's very true. Staedtler Mars Lumograph Pencils also have minimal reflectivity along with deeper tonal values if you haven't tried them.
@@tommullinerart I use them often.
Great video. However your background music is way too loud. So frustrating.
Sorry about that
Advice was good. But that music in the background was horrible and distracting.
Huzzahhh
3:37 If you want to get to the point.
That W&N is a total virus, lamooooo. The clairefontaine one, is ok-ish, one of the best I know. I use their paper, maybe that s why they kinda work.... Thx , very nice video, like all the other videos. ;)
Good to know!
@@tommullinerart Just ordered one actually....12 euros ;)
The music is too loud it's very difficult to understand your explanation
Thank you for the great advice. I didn’t like the loud music.
Yes, the music was a bit too much I'm afraid. I was trying to make it exciting but ended up with annoying instead. Sorry. I've done away with music for most of my videos since. Thank you for watching.
Very informative but the music was really disruptive.
Please get rid of the music, it spoils your good advice. Otherwise good.
Please turn the music down! 😅
The music is off the rest tyou❤❤
I can hear the music better than you. Other than that great video.
Sorry about that
Lower music volume please. It really drown out what you are saying and I guess folk who like music while they watch stuff can play their own choice. Thank you for this great video
Good advise but that music, so distracting!
Your art looks beautiful but couldn’t watch more than a minute of your video due to high speed music drowning out your high speed talking. Will try a couple more of your videos. This was the first.
Sorry to hear that
Background music doesn’t fit at all 😅 sounds like you’re gonna tell me to drop into a gigantic ramp with a skateboard
Please increase the music more, i still can hear your voice 😶
rude, but lol
If you use spray deodorant your artwork won't stink.
Ha lol
The talking prevented me from hearing the music.
😂😂 lol
omg why this music?! Good video otherwise
Most importantly do not use Winsor & Newton professional spray it absolutely Ruins your artwork and leaves shinny blotches!. I've used all other brands on my charcoal and graphite drawings with no problems Windsor & Newton was recommended to me at my local art store with a new employee and this is the 2nd piece of artwork it has ruined on me and I do know how to use them I've been drawing and painting for 50 years. DO NOT USE WINDSOR NEWTON SPRAY!!!
music is ridiculous
Please redo your music. It overwhelms, distracts and annoys.
Music has to GO. Completely distracting, overwhelming and obnoxious. Couldn't watch more than a couple of minutes.