- Sealing a pastel painting is important to protect it from smudging, dust, and fading.
- Choose a fixative that is specifically designed for pastels, such as a workable fixative or final fixative.
- Workable fixatives allow you to continue working on the painting after application, while final fixatives create a permanent seal.
- Before applying the fixative, make sure your painting is completely dry and free of any loose pastel particles.
- Hold the can at least 10 inches away from the painting and spray in even strokes, being careful not to oversaturate any areas.
- If using a workable fixative, apply multiple light coats instead of one heavy coat to avoid creating a glossy finish or altering the colors too much.
- Let each coat dry completely before applying another layer.
- If using a final fixative, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying time and ventilation requirements.
- Consider framing your sealed pastel painting under glass to provide additional protection against dust and UV damage.
As an artist, creating a pastel painting is a labor of love. The hours spent perfecting every detail on the canvas can be overwhelming, but the final result is always worth it. Once you’ve completed your masterpiece, the next step is to seal it to protect it from damage and ensure its longevity.
But here’s where things get tricky – sealing a pastel painting can be a daunting task. It’s important to make sure that you do it right, or you could end up ruining all of your hard work. And if you’re anything like me, the thought of messing up something so valuable and important can cause some serious stress!
Don’t fret – in this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about how to seal a pastel painting. From choosing the right materials to ensuring proper application techniques, we’ll walk you through every step of the process. So sit back, relax, and let us guide you through this crucial step in preserving your beautiful artwork for years to come.
How to Seal a Pastel Painting – The Quick Answer:
To seal a pastel painting, you’ll need pastel fixative spray, a well-ventilated area or outdoor space, a drop cloth or newspaper to protect your work surface, gloves, and a mask or respirator (optional). Fixative sprays come in two types – workable and final. It’s essential to use them in a well-ventilated area or outdoor space to prevent inhalation of chemicals. Gloves are recommended while applying the spray.
Materials Needed to Seal a Pastel Painting
Sealing a pastel painting is an essential step in protecting it from smudging and fading. Here are the materials you will need to seal your pastel painting:
- Pastel fixative spray
- A well-ventilated area or outdoor space
- A drop cloth or newspaper to protect your work surface
- Gloves to protect your hands from chemicals in the spray
- A mask or respirator (optional but recommended) to prevent inhalation of chemicals
Pastel Fixative Spray
The most important material needed for sealing a pastel painting is the fixative spray. There are two types of fixative sprays – workable and final. Workable fixatives can be used during the creation of a painting, allowing for additional layers of pastels to be added without disturbing previous layers. Final fixatives should be used once the painting is complete and no further additions are needed.
Well-Ventilated Area or Outdoor Space
Since fixative sprays contain chemicals that can be harmful if inhaled, it is essential to use them in a well-ventilated area or outdoor space. This will allow the fumes from the spray to dissipate quickly and prevent any harm.
Drop Cloth or Newspaper
While using the spray, it’s possible that some of it may fall on surrounding surfaces. It’s best to avoid this by placing a drop cloth or several sheets of newspaper under your painting before spraying.
Gloves and Mask/Respirator (Optional)
To protect your hands from any chemicals present in the spray, gloves should be worn while applying it. Some artists may also choose to wear a mask or respirator to avoid inhaling the fumes. While this is optional, it’s recommended for those with sensitivities to chemicals.
Using Fixative Spray to Seal Your Pastel Painting
What is Fixative Spray?
Fixative spray is a common material used to seal and protect pastel paintings. It’s a clear, liquid-based spray that helps prevent smudging, fading, and dust accumulating on your artwork. The fixative spray creates a protective layer on top of the surface that seals the pigments in place.
How to Use Fixative Spray?
Before applying fixative spray, ensure that your pastel painting is completely dry. Hold the can at least 8-10 inches away from the painting, then gently and evenly apply a thin coat of fixative spray in a sweeping motion. Apply another coat after it dries for better protection. Be cautious not to over-spray as this can cause pooling or unevenness on your painting.
Precautions When Using Fixative Spray
When working with fixative sprays, always work in a well-ventilated area as it produces strong fumes. Additionally, cover any surrounding surfaces or areas you don’t want to get sprayed. Always shake the can before use and test it on scrap paper before using it on your artwork.
Waiting Time Before Sealing Your Pastel Painting
The Drying Time for Pastel Paintings
It’s essential to let your pastel painting dry completely before sealing it with any form of varnish or fixative spray. Since pastels are made up of fine pigment particles bound together with little binder, they require more time to dry than other mediums like acrylic or oil paints.
Determining If Your Painting Is Dry Enough
To determine if your painting is dry enough for sealing, lightly run your fingers across the surface of the art piece. If there’s no residue on your fingers, it’s dry enough to seal. Another method is using a hairdryer to gently blow air over the surface of the painting, which speeds up the drying process.
Importance of Waiting Time Before Sealing
Waiting for your pastel painting to dry before sealing it is crucial as sealing a wet or damp painting can cause the colors to smudge and blend together, leading to a loss of detailing. It could also cause buckling or warping if there’s moisture trapped under the sealant.
Best Way to Apply Varnish to a Pastel Painting
The Importance of Varnish Application
Varnishing helps protect your pastel paintings from dust, UV rays, and fading over time. There are several methods of applying varnish, but some work better than others.
Spray Application Method
Spraying varnish on a pastel painting is an effective way to apply it evenly across the surface. Ensure you cover surrounding areas and wear protective gear like gloves and masks when spraying varnish in an enclosed area.
Brush Application Method
Brushing varnish onto your pastel painting is another option, but it requires more skill and care as one wrong move could ruin the artwork. Use a good quality brush and apply thin coats evenly in vertical strokes.
Note:
Regardless of which application method you choose, always test it on scrap paper first.
Type of Varnish for Pastel Paintings
Matt vs Glossy Finish
When choosing which type of varnish to use on your pastel artwork, consider whether you want a matt or glossy finish. A matt finish has no shine while a glossy finish has more sheen.
Aerosol vs Brush-On Varnish
There are two types of varnish for pastel paintings; aerosol and brush-on. Aerosol varnishes are easier to apply but can be challenging to control. Brush-on varnishes offer more control, but they require more skill to apply.
Note:
Regardless of which type you choose, ensure you use a product specifically made for pastel paintings.
Sealing a Pastel Painting Before Framing It
The Benefits of Sealing Before Framing
Sealing your pastel painting before framing it provides additional protection from dust, moisture, and UV rays that could cause fading or smudging. It also helps the artwork maintain its vibrancy and color over time.
How to Seal Before Framing
Firstly, seal the pastel painting with fixative spray or varnish using the recommended methods above. Once dry, place the painting face down on a clean surface and tape the edges securely with acid-free tape. Finally, attach the frame onto the backboard or mount board using screws or staples.
Note:
Ensure you wear gloves when handling your artwork to prevent oils from your hands getting onto it.
How Often Should You Re-Seal Your Pastel Painting?
The Frequency of Re-Sealing
The frequency of re-sealing depends on various factors such as exposure to sunlight, humidity levels in your location, and how well you protect your artwork from dust. As a general rule though, re-seal every 6-12 months for optimum protection.
Signs Your Painting Needs Re-Sealing
If you notice any areas with unusual dullness or discoloration on your artwork, it might be a sign that it’s time for resealing. Another indicator is if you notice dust accumulating on the surface of your painting.
Note:
Always use the recommended fixative spray or varnish for pastel paintings when re-sealing.
Precautions and Techniques for Sealing Large or Detailed Pastel Paintings
Precautions When Sealing Large Artwork
When sealing large or detailed pastel paintings, it’s essential to take extra precautions to prevent pooling or unevenness. To avoid this, work in sections, applying thin coats of fixative spray or varnish evenly across each section before moving on to the next.
Techniques for Sealing Large Artwork
To ensure that your large artwork is well-sealed, use a brush to apply the varnish instead of spraying. This gives you better control and helps prevent over-spraying. Also, work in a well-ventilated area to allow fumes from the varnish to disperse.
Note:
For very detailed artwork, use a small brush and apply thin coats carefully.
In conclusion, sealing a pastel painting is an essential step to preserve the artwork’s quality and longevity. By following the proper techniques and using high-quality sealants, artists can ensure their pastel paintings remain vibrant and protected for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Seal a Pastel Painting
How do you seal soft pastel paintings?
Sennelier Latour Spray Fixative is a specially-developed solution meant for preserving soft pastel drawings. Made from resin and alcohol, it helps seal the pastel colors to prevent them from becoming altered or damaged. This product is designed specifically for use with soft pastels and provides excellent protection for your artwork.
How do you preserve pastel art?
For proper storage of your pastel drawing, it is recommended to use an acid-free foam board to protect the piece and its edges. Avoid using tape or cardboard as they can contain acidic materials that may damage the artwork over time.
Can I use hairspray as a fixative for pastels?
The study found that the hairsprays tested could be used as suitable fixatives for pastel art because they did not have any harmful effects when compared to traditional art fixatives. Additionally, they were effective in preventing the fading of light-sensitive pigments and colored papers.
How do you protect pastels without fixative?
To safeguard your pastel artwork and the boundaries of your drawings, use two acid-free foam boards. Cut the boards to the required size, leaving an extra inch margin around the edges. Place your pastel drawing between the boards and use acid-free tape to bind them together like a sandwich. This will keep your artwork and the edges protected.
What fixative do you use for pastels?
When using the Spectra Fix Pastel Fixative Spray Bottle, your colors will remain vibrant and the product is also environmentally friendly. Additionally, we offer Sennelier traditional fixatives Aerosol Spray for soft pastels, oil pastels, and charcoal, as well as Krylon Workable Fixatif Clear Aerosol Spray. More products similar to these can be found on our website.
How long do pastel paintings last?
With proper maintenance, your painting can last for generations. Pastel art is exceptionally durable and some pieces created over 200 years ago remain vibrant and pristine to this day.
