Best material for fixing graphite drawingsApproveRejectUn-ApproveSubscribeUn-Unsubscribe
Question asked 2017-02-16 16:36:53 ...
Most recent comment 2017-02-16 17:47:00
Drawing Materials
Varnishes
What's the best brand/material to fix a pencil on Canson drawing paper? I've used sprays before, just interested in what others are using. Thanks.
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Moderator Answer
(Baade, Brian)
There
are always issues with fixatives, especially when used excessively. Too much
will greatly darken the media you are spraying it on. Way too much will even
make the paper more transparent. You have used them successfully so that does not
appear to be an issue. The main issue I would worry about is potential
yellowing. Yellowing is probably not a major concern with a very thin
application but I would still prefer using a fixative that is composed of a
non-yellowing resin. B-72 is a very stable acrylic resin that is not
inordinately glossy making it a really good choice for a spray fixative. The
problem here is that most manufacturers do not disclose which resin they use. I
do know that the product Lascaux Fixative Spray is
B-72 in a spray can. I am sure that there are others as well but it is
difficult to know for sure. I hope to have a number of the common materials
used in art making analyzed in a lab when we secure the funding to enlarge
MITRA. I am sure that there are other perfectly serviceable fixatives, but as a
conservator this is what I would recommend. I hope that others will respond
here with their experiences and favorites.
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Moderator Answer
(Kristin deGhetaldi)
Hi Koo, we see nothing wrong with any of the options you mention. Tests have shown B-72 to be one of the more stable synthetic resins which is why it is a popular material in conservation...but no there is no way at this point to know the ratio of resin to solvent in many of these proprietary sprays at this point but we will double check on that.
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Moderator Answer
(Kristin deGhetaldi)
Update: Brian Baade has located a pdf online (their "Synthetic Resins and Varnishes Sheet") from Lascaux that states that their pre-made "Lascaux Fixativ" is 2% B-72 in solution. Whether or not that percentage has changed since the time that this information was put up online is unknown but if it has it probably has not changed drastically.
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