How to Protect Pastel Paintings
Using Fixatives and Studio Storage to Keep Artwork Safe
Sep 19, 2009
Protecting pastel paintings by using fixatives and storage techniques can be done inexpensively and easily.
Fixative for Pastel Paintings
Fixatives are applied to pastels to keep them from smudging. They contain varnish that holds the pastel particles together. Most varieties come in aerosol cans so that the fixative can be sprayed onto the paper in an even coating.
In his book Pastel Painting Techniques, Guy Roddon gives this recipe for making your own homemade fixative:
- Dissolve ½ of plain gelatin powder in two pints of warm water.
- Let it sit for two hours.
- Use an atomizer or empty spray bottle to use the homemade fixative.
- Spray on fixative while it is still warm.
To apply fixative of any kind, follow these steps:
- Hold the can two feet away from your pastel painting.
- Start spraying at a top corner and spray to the opposite corner.
- Lower your can a few inches and repeat.
- Make sure that each row makes a slow sweep across the paper.
The key here is to avoid over saturating the paper with fixative. This can dull the colors and make the pastel look like muddy paint.
Many pastel artists apply fixative after every layer or two of pastel and then put on an extra layer at the end.
For free, chemical-free fixative alternatives to make pastel paintings more stable, check out this article: Fixative Alternatives for Soft Pastels.
How to Store Pastel Paintings
Storing pastels can be a dilemma. If the artist chooses not to use fixative, the artwork can smudge or smear quite easily. There are several ways to store pastel paintings without much fuss and no damage.
Traditionally, many professional pastel artists will store their pastel artwork flat in a special storage unit that has shallow drawers. This flat storage unit is the best way to store paintings. Unfortunately, these units can take up a lot of space and can cost a lot of money.
Thankfully, flat storage can be simulated very easily. If the artist has a lot of wall space, the pastel paintings can be hung by making this simple “clothesline” storage system:
- Cut a length of strong, nylon string.
- Put a cup hook on one side of the wall and another on the other side, horizontal from the first.
- Tie the ends of the string to the cup hooks.
- Hang pastel paintings that have been done on paper from the line with a small alligator clip on each side.
- This studio storage system keeps the artworks in view, flat and safe. Make sure that this storage system is not in direct sunlight.
Another way to store pastel paintings is by rolling them. First, lay a sheet of acid-free tissue paper over the painting. Next, roll the painting so that the tissue paper and the pastel are on the inside. Finally, slide the painting into a mailing tube that is made for fine art storage.
Using these tips will keep pastel paintings nice looking for years to come. For more information about pastel care see: How to Take Care of Hard, Soft and Oil Pastels.
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