What makes this special?

Brush and Pencil's Advanced Colored Pencil Textured Fixative is designed to isolate and effectively seal layers of colour pencil. By doing so, it enables practically unlimited layering by restoring the tooth to the painting surface. It's impact on the already established values or colours is minimal. At the same time, previous colour pencil layers are isolated and resistant to subsequent Odourless Mineral Spirits (OMS) or Powder Blender application. It is low odour and is safe to use indoors. (We always recommend that any aerosol be used outdoors in a well-ventilated area.) The product is relatively quick-drying, with a recommendation to leave the artwork for about 15 minutes to dry. Textured Fixative is non-yellowing, acid-free and archival.

How do you use it?

It is recommended to use sanded, rigid and non-absorbent surfaces with Textured Fixative. If using other paper types, it is recommended to make sure that the paper is capable of withstanding liquid application and test to ensure that it will not buckle or warp after a few coats of spray. Some papers are created using a very weak adhesive which is sensitive to ethanol. Because both the Textured and Final Fixatives contain ethanol, it is important to make sure the paper is suitable.
Make sure to test the Textured Fixative on a scrap piece of paper first.
Use and store the Fixative at room temperature.
Due to the Textured Fixative's properties, it is possible to apply chromatic colours to black or dark surfaces without white underpainting, which provides the artist with the freedom to develop the composition from dark to light or light to dark.
Textured Fixative will leave a noticeable texture to the touch that provides tooth for continuous layering.
Let the surface dry naturally and completely for about 15 minutes or speed the process up with a hair dryer on warm by gently blowing over the surface. Air temperature and humidity will have an impact on drying time.
Make sure that that the Textured Fixative has dried, cured and hardened before applying the next layer of coloured pencil.
Textured Fixative is not acrylic-based and will not form a smooth film like acrylic-based fixatives. It will harden when dry, however. It is thus important to use rigid surfaces to avoid cracking and the loss of the archival properties of the Fixative.
If you do not plan to work on some areas of your composition, shield the area with a loose mask, like a piece of paper, to prevent Textured Fixative from covering it.
For the even application of the Textured Fixative, it is very important to shake the can vigorously for at least two minutes prior to your first use of the day. Subsequent usage only requires a quick shake. However, after about two hours, the contents will have separated again and will need to be shaken for two minutes again. This allows the propellant to mix with the liquid fixative in the can so that they can be completely and evenly evacuated with a fine mist. If the fixative liquid and propellant are not mixed well, the propellant-fixative mixture will be evacuated out of the can unevenly and some pockets of gas will be expelled that carry no liquid, as well as some “blobs” of liquid with insufficient quantities of gas. This will create bubbles of fixative and uneven coverage on the surface.
When you begin spraying, the immediate “jet” from the nozzle has the strongest impact. Therefore, for best results start spraying beside the paper surface, move across and turn back once you have moved past the surface on the other side. Do not start spraying or change direction on top of your artwork. These are issues that all aerosols have and are not unique to Brush and Pencil's Fixatives.
Clean your nozzle regularly. Any dried residue will result in uneven mist and can lead to larger droplets. A quick soak in warm water followed by a rinse under running water will loosen any dried residue. Wipe the nozzle dry and replace. To load it prior to use, simply spray a small amount away from your surface. Make sure the nozzle is open and clean.
For best results, spray from a distance of 20 cm to 30 cm from the artwork and start spraying beside the working area, moving across to the opposite side, turn beside the surface and move back, slightly overlapping the first sprayed area. Cover the whole area and let it dry completely. Then, apply another layer in the perpendicular direction. This way, droplets will be well distributed on the surface and dry evenly.
Accidental blobs or bubbles are more likely to occur at the beginning or end of the spraying process. By starting to the side of the work surface, their occurrence on top of the art work is minimised. However, should larger droplets or bubbles appear on the work surface, gently wipe them off with tissue paper or a cotton bud. Let the Fixative dry and apply another layer of coloured pencil pigment. Or simply leave to dry and go over it with your next layer of coloured pencil.
When using odourless mineral solvent (OMS) and Powder Blender, it is important to make sure that OMS and Powder Blender are not used within the same layer, but are separated by a layer or two of Fixative. It is best to practise on a scrap piece of paper to see how much Fixative is needed to seperate the individual layers. Be sure to let the Fixative completely dry and cure.

Want to explore more resources?

There are some fantastic resources that are available from artist sites and artist YouTube channels. There is much to be learnt from other artists!

Would you like to buy it?

Brush and Pencil Advanced Colored Pencil Textured Fixative is available from the Magic Pencil Shop.