Working on your art for hours and finally looking at the lovely results, you’re amazed at how the pencil drawing came out. There is no doubt that you have put your best efforts even in the smallest details of your pencil drawing. You simply love the art you have created! But then, if you won’t be a little careful, you might find your art in a bad form. That is why you should learn how to preserve your pencil drawing.
In this article, it’s exactly what we’re going to show and discuss. Stay tuned and learn more to learn how to prevent the smudges on your art.
Why preserve your pencil drawing?
It is important to protect your drawing from smudges and damage so that you can preserve it. For one, pencil works with a graphite. It is sometimes called a lead pencil. It uses a graphite core, which is embedded in the shell of another material.
So, for the question, “Why should you preserve your drawing?” Graphite can easily smudge when it comes into contact with another object or tool, paper, or hand, and this can be very frustrating for anyone who is serious about coming up with their masterpiece.
Pencil drawing, which you might be needing for your portfolio or important project, should be stored properly or provided with any protective barrier. It will preserve your work and avoid any potential damage to your art.
How to preserve a pencil drawing?
In the following, we’ll share a few important tips to use so that you can keep the beauty of your pencil drawing.
1. Using a fixative spray
What’s a fixative spray? It’s an art tool that is made with clear liquid of casein or resin, or any other liquid that quickly evaporates. A fixative spray is directly sprayed onto the dry media artwork, which will stabilize the graphite or pigment. It is also used in preserving your finished artwork from any dust. Think about this spray as something like a varnish.
Artists who want to preserve their drawings using a fixative spray, which works well in protecting their art from smudges and dirt from any elements that would otherwise leave them frustrated due to the damage of their drawing.
If you want to extend the life of your drawing, you should apply this spray that can keep the graphite firmly in place. By using this spray, you can have peace of mind that you can prevent your art from yellowing due to light exposure, fading, discoloration, and other damages.
Types of fixative sprays
- Workable fixative: It’s used while you’re doing your art. It’s useful in providing you with necessary textures especially when you have added several dry media layers that your paper isn’t accepting anymore. This is also useful when adding layers of workable fixative, which will protect your work from smudges of pencil, charcoal, or pastel.
- Final fixative: As the name suggests, you can use this when you’ve completed your artwork in order to add an extra protection layer. However, don’t spray too close or too much of it to your drawing, as it can change the entire appearance of your drawing. In addition, a heavy application can darken the color or dissolve the pigment. You must apply only fewer coats of this fixative if you have used a workable fixative while working on your art.
Follow the manufacturer on how to use it properly. Also, be sure to be in a well-ventilated area when spraying this chemical.
2. Using Glassine Interleaving Paper on artworks
What is a glassine interleaving paper? It’s a glossy and smooth paper that possesses properties to protect your drawing from damage. It’s resistant to water, air, and grease and is commonly used by artists to protect their paintings. Commonly, it’s placed between etchings, watercolors, and stacked drawings.
Using it is another method to protect your drawing from smudges and damage. This paper is pulp-based and acid-free and has been long used to preserve different works of art, such as pencil drawings, as well as artworks. It is a thin sheet that is used between pages in order to prevent smudges and transfers.
3. Using wax paper/parchment papers
Insert one in between the pages of the drawing. Who says that wax papers can only be used in baking delicious cookies? It can also be a great aid to stop the pencil drawing from smudging. Similar to glassine paper, wax paper is smooth and translucent, so it can be placed in between or behind the drawing paper. You can pin it through a small tape to prevent it from moving. This technique is ancient, but it is definitely effective.
Parchment paper is also a good alternative if there is no wax paper. Mostly, this type of paper is made of silicone sealant and is cost-effective. Same with wax paper, it can be used to slip in between a sketchpad before a project is started. Both wax and parchment papers can be bought from malls, online sellers, and groceries.
4. Using sheet protectors
Using any of these is a wise decision because it is like hitting two birds in one stone. The transparent page protectors can efficiently protect the life of pencil drawing and can also serve as an organizer at the same time.
This page protector can also be an instant portfolio that looks decent and ready for presentation. The regular sheet protector is 8.5 in size, made of polypropylene and waterproof and has holes on the side to easily attach the pager in a binder. You can buy them from school supply shops or online stores.
Final Thoughts
How to preserve a pencil drawing and prevent it from smudging is easy with any of these tips and methods. Preserve your art and keep its beauty for the years to come. After all, it is a product of your hard work and creative mind, and it is a masterpiece.
Which among them have you tried? Did you like this article? Share it with social media friends who might need the same information today!
