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Fixatives

In drawing, a fixative is a liquid, similar to varnish, which is usually sprayed over a finished piece of artwork, usually a dry media artwork, to better preserve it and prevent smudging.

Modern fixatives are usually alcohol based, and hydrocarbon propelled. Certain manufacturers produce fixatives specified for a certain media only, such as soft pastel fixatives. Modern fixatives are elevated in quality in terms of transparency, colourlessness, age-resistance and UV resistance, which prevents yellowing and fading caused by exposure to light.

Fixatives are more often than not highly toxic and potential health hazards to the respiratory system, hence should only be used in a well ventilated area. Such fumes may also cause irritation to the eyes. Hydrocarbon contents are also flammable and should not be placed near an open flame or any incandescent sources.

Artwork media requiring fixative include drawings done in pencil, charcoal, and pastel. An artist will often fix layers of a work in progress, in order to easily add further layers. Such a technique requires a workable fixative. Fixative is most commonly available in aerosol sprays. Fixative can also come in a liquid form that can be used from the bottle via a manual spray diffuser. This form is better for one's lungs and has less of an impact on the environment.

Krylon Workable Fixatif 11oz $26.45 A matte finish coating, specially formulated for use with pastel, charcoal and pencil. Acid-free and perfect for drawings, sketches and layouts. In 11 oz. cans.	Krylon Fine Art Fixatif 11oz $33.85 This spray fixatif offers invisible protection of artwork without dissolving pastel whites and light colors. Provides final and workable protection. It contains UV light absorbers and stabilizers. Safeguards pastel, charcoal, pencil and chalk from dusting, smudging and fading. Previously named Pastel Fixatif.	SpectraFix Degas Fixative 12oz $36.95 SpectraFix Degas Fixative is made with casein, water and alcohol and is based on an antique recipe used by French Impressionist painter, Edgar Degas. It seals and protects your artwork while leaving your colors brilliant, and best of all there are no toxic fumes or odors! Spray indoors and continue working at your ease without concern. Perfect for chemically-sensitive people. Dries quickly to an invisible matte finish and is fully reworkable, allowing deep layering as well as providing extra traction on thickly layered, slippery media such as color pencil or oil pastel. Combines well with almost all media, and dries to a hard, water-resistant finish. This fixative is not intended to be used as a final top coat over acrylic or oil paint, but can be layered into multi-media and then sealed with an acrylic or oil paint varnish. May be used on all papers, sueded or gritted paper (not LaCarte), primed and unprimed canvas, wood panels, unglazed ceramic, stone, leather, glass, etc.. Use with Soft Pastel, Pan Pastel and Oil Pastel, Colored Pencil, Graphite, Charcoal, Chalk or in combination with Watercolor, Gouache, Casein, Ink or to layer other media into Encaustic. Perfect for crafts, it holds a wide variety of media without dulling their sheen or brilliance. Use under Oil or Acrylic paints to prevent underdrawings from smudging. Casein actually bonds permanently with the covering layer of oil paint, and similar to egg tempera, has been used for centuries for grisaille or colourful underpainting which can then be glazed with oil.	SpectraFix FinalFix Fixative 10oz $49.20 FinalFix is a casein-based spray fixative which contains beeswax and a few other natural ingredients to help the casein harden to a tough, moisture resistant finish. Provides a deeper, semi-matte finish, and allows for damp cleaning and durable scuff-resistance. Perfect for a final protective layer, or to be used throughout your project. Non-yellowing formula is all-natural with no fumes and is workable and archival. Combines well with all drawing (not oil pastel) and painting media. Works beautifully to bring out depth in gouache paintings, and to finish mixed media works. Please be aware that the non-drying mineral oils in oil pastels do not combine well with beeswax, and we suggest the Degas fixative for oil pastels, which works beautifully. FinalFix should not be used as a final layer on top of acrylic or oil paintings, unless sealed with a final layer of acrylic or oil varnish. This is because it absorbs atmospheric moisture and acrylics and oils do not, and as a result it is possible that it may eventually delaminate from their surfaces.
Winsor & Newton Artist Fixative 11oz $20.95 To preserve works for the long term, or momentarily to prevent smudges while working, this colorless medium can be applied to works of charcoal, pastel, pencil and chalk immediately. While the fixative is durable and protects the surface of drawings, it can also be applied while working, as a medium. Fixatives also enable the top of the surface to be continually worked by the artist. This transparent fixative will not affect the color of pastel, although it may darken the color tone, yet at the same time it improves the adhesion of particles to the surface and lightfastness.	Grumbacher Final Fixatives 12oz - Matte $25.98 A final fixative for dry media including pencil, charcoal and pastels. It is non-yellowing and can be worked when dry. It is typically used on paper, but can also be used on photographs, printed materials and ceramics. Also known as Tuffilm. In 11.75 oz. cans. Available in matte finish.