It is very exciting for every artist to start a new painting. That first stroke of the painting is full of enthusiasm and joy, but it can all go wrong in the very next step. Painting with pastels is a skill learned with patience and the urge to hone those skills and eventually, learn from your mistakes. Never forget it is possible to transform a mistake into a masterpiece with a few clever strokes on the canvas. It just a matter of how we approach it. As a famous quote says ‘we become what we think.’ We attract positive energy with positive thinking and vice-versa. Sometimes we create a perfect masterpiece but after its completion, it doesn’t look as it did as before. This is often the case with pastel colours, as they blend so easily.

To avoiding the colours merging and looking messy, you can use a fixative spray. Make sure to choose a spray that suits the type of pastel colours you use. You can always try first on a smaller area before application to the whole painting. Pastel colours have a very small pigment to binder ratio, so when you apply fixative don’t be concerned if the painting becomes darker. For example, if you are applying a fixative to wall art of animals, you may see the animals and background changing to a darker shade.

Here are some ways to fix pastel painting:

• Diffuser-spray Fixative

A diffuser-spray applies a very fine fixative mist that is blown through a hinged metal tube from a diffuser mouthpiece. The diffuser itself is foldable, just place one end inside the bottle and blow from the other mouthpiece end. Thereafter, move across the whole canvas to spray it evenly as you blow.

• Aerosol Fixative

Aerosols makes fixing a pastel painting an easy and quick process. Just hold the aerosol fixative about 10-12 inches away from the painting and move your arm smoothly while spraying over it. Spray off the edges to ensure the fixative is applied evenly on the surface.

• Pump Sprays

If you can’t find an aerosol, then a pump spray is the best alternative. Every pump gives an even mist of the fixative. All the same, an aerosol fixative is preferred as it gives a quick fix to your wall art of birds.

Final Words

These are the three main types of fixatives that you can use after painting your artwork.