Hi! As the title states I have a problem with smudges. You see, when I draw with #2 graphite on 11x8.5 print paper the side of my hand rubs against the graphite and smudges the work. How can I prevent this?

Another, bigger problem I have is after the work is finished. When I put the finished drawings in my portfolio, the graphite on one drawing would smudge onto the back surface of the paper infront of it and even the inside of the portfolio folder. So how can I prevent this as well? Smudges while drawing is troublesome enough, but smudges after drawing is even worst. When I opened a portofilion of mine i found that the older work, in the very back behind the others were smudged!

Any tips would be appreciated!

Thanks, Greenstar888

try putting a clean piece of paper under your hand as you work

use a spray workable fixative on finished drawings

When drawing yes, the piece of paper under your hand is vital to avoid smudging. You also need to replace that paper from time to time during the drawing as it will pick up some of the graphite from the drawing.

Fixative should be sprayed when your drawing is complete and for storing drawings, a sheet of glassine paper can be used to separate each drawing and stop smudges.

I store my drawings in those punched poly pockets and put them in a ring binder. I get two in each pocket, back to back.

Ok I used to have the same problem with smudging but then I learnd a few tricks to help prevent it If you are righthanded then you should start on the left side of the paper and shade your way over to the right (just got the oppisite if your left-handed). Also this "spray workable fixative " can become pretty expensive...... Soooooo I use hair spray or anything that is inside an aerosol can works to keep the picture from smuging after im done working on it.
Hope this helps

My two cents.
The hand guard is essential. There may be many ways to get this done depending on your work area, but you should consider this a must use for every drawing. You would be very wise to follow the advice of the renowned graphite artist Mike Sibley. He uses a strip of the same paper that he is drawing on for a hand guard. It serves for tests, jotting down time, ramdom notes. If you look at my "German DB Class 38 (WIP)" I have posted an image of my hand gaurd at the end. I fix the hand guard to my working surface so that it does not move as I work.

In general, but not always, I also do as Fred suggests by starting top left to right as I draw.

I protect all my drawings with Fixative. Just add a few light coats to bind the graphite. Don't over use it. I would not recommend using hair spay or anything other than a quality fixative on a drawing. Here is a quote on the subject from "Drawing from Line to Life" by Mike Sibley : "Trained chemists have spent years developing and refining artists' fixatives so don't use a cheap alternative desiged purely for sticking hair together." He goes on to describe the risks to the drawing over time. If cost is a problem then you are better off not adding anything and try using another solution to seperate the drawings.

I use the hand guard but is a good idea just for a few time. If you work with B pencils the graphite would pass to your withe areas.

You might also consider using a mahl stick or an artists bridge to rest your hand on, rather than resting it on the surface of the paper. If you hold your pencil at the back, rather than at the tip, it is also possible to work without touching the paper with your hand at all.

Hairsprays and artists fixative used both to be dilute shellac solutions in alcohol. Now, better products are available for both purposes, but they are not interchangable.

Use Fixative NOT hairspray. As well as an easel to keep your artwork out of the way.

I would like to know what if while storing drawings butter paper is used to prevent smudging?

I also have heard that Hairspray can be used instead of fixative BUT many Hairsprays contain not just the propellant and the binder, which is what we want for fixing drawings, but also several chemicals designed to moisturise and condition hair.

Do you really want to condition your best work with Jojoba? or Coconut Milk? or something unpronounceable?

The recommended advice is to read the list of contents in the spray very carefully, and choose wisely, or use fixative.

Brian