Hi guys,

Along time ago when I was in 6th form college we used to use hairspray to 'fix' our drawings.

Is this still ok, if not what do you guys recommend using?

I was thinking of storing my drawings in platic sleeves for protection, what do you use?

Thanks

Andrea

Don't use hairspray!!! While it can work in a pinch, the chemical properties of it over time aren't well known and can be unpredictable. So don't take a chance to have a drawing disintegrate over the years.

I use a workable fixative that can be used on graphite, pastel or coloured pencil. there are a number of good brands out there specifically made for artists and a can goes a long way.

Thanks for that prompt reply Jeanette. I suppose back then we didn't care if the drawings survived for years to come, as long as you passed your A levels!

Is there any reason why I shouldn't store drawings in plastic sleeves, to stop fading from rubbing/friction on other pictures?

Cheers

Andrea

I think if you really want to be safe you have to keep your drawings in an acid free environment. Anything else might make them turn yellow in time. I think the best thing is for you to make a portfolio out of acid free or archival matting board.

Brenda shows how to make one in her first lessons.

Cheers Rose. Will do.

Andrea

I keep the ones I want to show people in the clear pastic window things and in a note book. Matting and framing on acid free matt board is best for long term.

If you use plastic sleeves, make sure that they are acidfree ones. Otherwise, use sheets of glassine paper to separate the drawings. THey really shouldn't come to any harm on a shelf as they aren't moving.

Thanks guys! Can you get acid free sleeves anywhere or only specifically at art shops?

Andrea

I don't know where you are in the world, but I have seen them at my local Wal*Mart. They were in the scrapbook aisle.

Thanks I've just moved to Australia. Don't know if they have Wall Mart's here!

Andrea

They certainly have K-mart

I figured you were someplace like that. Still, a local department store that has an arts and craft section, like a Wal*Mart or K-Mart, should have it. I found it in the scrapbook aisle, not the "Art Supplies" aisle. Of course, I can't speak to the quality of those versus those found in a specialty art supply store.

Thanks Blade (& Rose), I'll check it out!
I've only been here for just over a month and I am just getting used to all the new shops and what they sell! I was in the UK before.
I was in Woolworths yesterday (a food supermarket) and they had mechanical pencils with a variety of leads for between $3-5! The local art shop was selling them for $8 plus leads on top! Typical!!

Andrea

Andrea, I dont know if they have them in Australia or not you may have to ask around from people who are from there but I get alot of my mechanical pencils from dollar stores. I don't know if alot of people have the variety or not but I have found I really like the .09 pencils the best. I switch between it and the smaller lead ones for detail and hardness. The only problem though is the erasers are soo small, I always forget about the kneaded and other erasers and find myself using the ones on the mechanical pencils. Plus, the erasers are alot harder to replace compared to the leads..

Thanks Venus, I've got a small selection of mech pencils of different brands now but I'll look out for the dollar stores for the future. I haven't used them enough to know which I prefer yet, will let you know. I just wish mech pencils had a wider range of leads, I just can't get 2B dark enough. Perhaps, I'm not using them correctly?
Speaking of erasers, how do you get your eraser to to erase sharp, fine lines such as eyelash highlights. It says in Brenda's lessons to use a kneaded eraser formed into a point, but I find it's not fine enough and it doesn't stay in a point

Andrea

IRBaboon - you can buy different leads at art stores or stores that sell drafting supplies. I have purchased leads from Rex Art at www.rexart.com . You can buy all types of sizes and hardness's (sp?) check it out.

As for getting an eraser sharp enough to erase in tiny spaces. You can take a razor or craft knife and slice your eraser which will create a very sharp edge for erasing.

Good luck.

Thanks, I looked at that site but their leads only seem to go up to 2B as well!
Can you mix graphite with charcoal or don't they mix?
Will try cutting the eraser as suggested.

Andrea

I believe you can put graphite over charcoal but not charcoal over graphite as the graphite is smooth and will not hold the charcoal.