Charcoal drawing finishing

[chardonnay]

I have completed a charcoal drawing on good paper. I would like to preserve it.

What am I supposed to put on it as a final protection?

During my drawing, I have been spraying it with workable matt fixative. But the writing on the can implies that this is not what I need for the final fixative. Or is it? Is there another product I need to go and buy?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

[phil eckert]

Hi Jodie,
I've always just used workable matt fixative too. I find it seals well and heaven't used anything further but would also be interterested in other thoughts/tips. I think the fixative on its own has reasonably good preservation qualities...
Cheers
Phil

[winnierose]

I went to a demo the other night, where the artist was using charcoal on canvass. Awesome work, she was saying that she uses fixative many times during her painting and then at the end, sprays with a matt varnish.

[chardonnay]

Thanks Phil and winnierose.

Rather interesting about the spray matt varnish. I'd like to do that, but I think that may make my paper curl.

Maybe I should just spray a couple more coats of the fixative on and leave it be. I just really want to keep this drawing without it rubbing out.

[ingridr]

What about a plastic sleeve? Would that help keep it safe?

[PERUGINA]

Hi Chardonnay... i can feel your anxiousness in your wanting to preserve this charcoal drawing... and i'm afraid it's pretty nasty stuff that smudges even if you look at it sideways... the only thing that will give you some assurance of it not rubbing or touching anything is to frame it behind glass.
That's my best suggestion...and if it were me that's what i would definitely do.

[Mike Retter]

Gloss varnish followed by matt varnish. That should help. Good luck!

[Helm]

I dunno how the varnishes go with paper? though on canvas it is good like the artist you went to see. My mum still has charcoal pictures of mine from when I was a youngster, some probaly 20 years old, and they're still fine, just used a fixative. But like perugina says, go the glass!

[Dani]

Hi Chardonnay, this topic is really interesting and an eye opener because I have never put anything on my work before. I usually just keep my charcoal sketches either in the sketch pad, or i put them in a frame with glass. They are all still going strong, no smudging or fading etc. Plus, framing is much more fun....LOL

I dont know if this is normal...but i created a portrait about 8 years ago in pastel, and sprayed it with HAIRSPRAY to seal it....worked a treat, and still looks great!...im sure that will do for charcoal too...though its probably not recommended.. :P

Goodluck!....

[Helm]

Hey Dani, I have used hairspray with pencil pictures, works really good - and the cheaper the hairspray - the better!

[sweetmango]

Me too! On charcoal and pencil pieces and they have kept just fine. And you are right Helm, the cheaper the better!! I do put my favs behind glass though and there is definitely no probs with smudging when they are framed behind glass :)

[Dani]

Oh good! I'm glad that im not the only one who's done that....:biggrin:. Your right about the cheap ones too...they work amazingly.......

[Judy]

I was told hairspray can yellow over time & to only use a fixative spray.

[chardonnay]

I think I'll skip the hairspray on this particular one. :clown:

I'll give it another spray with the fixative, and I will try to stop poking it. I think the poking is my problem, I poke it to see if it is fixed. Then I spray it, then poke it, then spray it then poke it......

[Helm]

lol chardonnay that is too funny, I do that with my oil paintings, poke, fix up fingerprint, poke, fix up fingerprint...

[Judy]

Helm, why not use something like a toothpick or a piece of plastic wrap for testing? Used in a strategic place it won't matter if it leaves a mark.

[winnierose]

Good idea Judy, I was going to suggest getting a small piece of the same paper and testing it out, so that you will not ruin the good bit.