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A big debate for soft pastel artists, do you use fixative? Let’s explore this subject.

What? Fixative is used to help bind the pastel to the paper. This fixative is sprayed over the pastel on the paper. Remember to use fixatives sparingly and with proper ventilation – think about going outside and spraying when there is no wind. Do not overspray. Soft pastel can run off the paper if it gets wet. Fixatives can dull your picture down by changing colors or dissolving layers when applied. Improper sprays can create unfortunate dots or blobs on the artwork.

When? Fixative can be applied after you put down a drawing to not lose the original design through applications of pastel. This may be a good idea if you have a really detailed drawing. Some artists spray after underpainting. I may use a fixative in areas that need more details and either the tooth of the paper is too full, or 2) if the types of pastel won’t stick to each other, or to the paper anymore (aka between layers). I also lightly spray anything that I ship without a frame. It’s a gamble either way. Pastel particles will shed and smudge with or without fixative.

Type? There are all kinds of price ranges for pastel fixatives. I prefer Sennelier for pastel artwork and have also used less expensive working fixatives by another brand. Expect the colors to slightly change. You may need to reapply some part of the pastel to the painting. Remember to let the painting dry before touching up. And please do not use hairspray as a fixative. You spent good money on soft pastel sticks and sanded papers. Spend money on a proper soft pastel fixative. If you glaze pastel artwork with acrylic, that’s a different story not addressed here.

Secrets. I came across secrets from well-known artists that claim you can do “this” instead of using a fixatives. Let’s review.
1) Use a rolling pin to crush the pastel into the paper. Ok, this really pushes pastel into the grid of the paper. Do not go over with a roller pin more than a couple times or you will lose detail strokes and blur the painting. Think of the time lost having to redo your painting. However, this may be something to consider at the beginning of a painting.
2) Put the painting in the sun “to bake” for 30 minutes. I don’t know if this really works. The theory is it is really hot outside, it bakes into the paper. My experiment almost melted because even though it was hot, it was also humid. I pulled the painting inside just as the whites were getting gooey and it took two days to completely dry. I was also afraid of nature (wind and insects) disturbing the painting. Maybe consider this option if you are in a hot, dry, bug-free climate.

You can frame your masterpiece with or without fixative. Soft pastel will shed onto the mat or glass either way. Consider how your gallery views loose pastel on glass or mat frames. In the end, the viewing public may never know if your soft pastel painting was sprayed with a pastel fixative when applied correctly. Using fixative is a personal choice to make.

What is an underpainting? In terms of soft pastel artwork, this is when the artist applies a wet application. Once the paper is dry, you apply pastel to complete the painting. Not every pastel artist or pastel painting will have this. The first time I saw this application, I was surprised at how deep and velvety the darks became.

How to underpaint. First, make sure your paper will handle a wet application, or you may destroy or damage the paper. Then you want to put a thin layer of pastel on the paper and apply a liquid with a damp paint brush or sponge. You can also apply the liquid with a squirt bottle; be careful on how much pastel and liquid you use. Expect some pastel to come off during this application. You may need to dip the brush into the liquid multiple times. You can use different brushes over the pastel like a painting to create interesting strokes.

I like to use rubbing alcohol as the liquid for underpainting as it does not yellow the colors as much as tap water, and it dries faster, in my experience. You can also use filtered water, mineral spirits etc.

You can also skip the initial pastel layer and underpaint with acrylic, watercolor, or oil paint instead. You may need to water the paints down, so you don’t fill the tooth of the paper. Pastel needs something to stick to (aka the tooth) after the underpainting dries.

Colors choices. You can underpaint darker colors, complementary colors or make other choices. This is really up to you. The Artist Network’s Pastel Journal, Winter 2023 issue has a great article on several ways to underpaint.

Contests. For artists entering contests, consider the requirements for the pastel artwork category. Some shows will allow an underpainting, as long as the final top artwork is for example 80-90% soft pastel. Other shows will require 100% dry, soft pastel. Read the prospectus carefully when entering shows to determine if you have a pastel painting or mixed media.

Tips. The underpainting does not need to be everywhere. It is ok to leave some of the paper color showing through. And sometimes you may lose pieces of the paintbrush on the sanded paper. Not to worry, most of the brush pieces will come off when the paper dries. 😊

Artists that want their work to last, use archival grade paper. This is a paper that won’t fade, is acid-free, and lignin-free. There are so many to choose from, a common question that I am asked, is what paper do you use for pastels?

Paper that works well with my technique range in 320-500 grade or grit. I switch around with papers because sometimes the painting requires more details or based on the look I am going for. I prefer to purchase the paper than make my own. The color of the papers will impact of the pastel you apply. You may need to play around a bit to see what works. Keep in mind that at some point, the pastel may not stick to the paper because there is no tooth left in the paper to hold it.

Sanded pastel papers can feel like sandpaper. When you touch sandpaper, the higher the grit, the smoother the surface. If you like to apply lots of layers of pastel, or maybe you like to apply thick layers of pastel (aka heavy handed) then you should start with a lower grit. Higher grades are typically for delicate work. If the grade or grit is not listed, look for the heaviness or thickness of the paper as LBS (pounds) or GSM (grams per square meter). The higher the GSM, the thicker the paper and more layers of pastel it will hold.

Here are some pastel papers in my bin.

UART Premium Sanded Paper. My current preference is 500, 400, and 320 grade. I also purchased 600 and 800 to test out in the future. This paper will take water application without damaging the tooth. It does tend to roll. Make sure you lay flat to store or tape down when painting / drawing. Beware that you will cut your fingers if you try to blend the pastel with fingers. Remember, the lower the grit, the rougher the paper. Experienced pastel artists will tell you that this is most like the Kitty Wallis paper from years ago. This is archival quality, PH neutral/acid free.

Pastel Premier. Another one of my go-to favorites is the 145 lb / 310 gsm. The grit is described as medium, and the paper comes in a few color choices although I like the Italian Clay and white versions. This paper will take some water but be careful to let it dry before applying another layer. This is acid-free and 100% cotton.

Colourfix Paper by Art Spectrum. I have the 230 lb / 340 gsm with a white boarder around many different colors of paper to choose from. It has a higher GSM and will hold layers. This is acid free, lightfast, and permanent.

Richeson Premium Pastel Surface. I have some 140 lb paper on gator foam. It takes water application. This paper will hold a few layers. The paper is available in many colors and has a thin white border around. This is archival / acid-free.

Ampersand Pastelbord. I have the museum series panel in a sand color. This is a clay and gesso coated hardboard with a granular marble dust finish. They do not state the grade which feels fairly smooth, and it will hold multiple layers. This takes water application. If you have a heavy hand with pastels, this may not be the ideal choice for you. There are four or so colors to choose from. This is acid-free, archival and pH neutral.

Canson Mi Teintes. I like using this for quick sketches. This is 98lb / 160 gsm. Many artists use this because it is easy to find at art stores and hobby stores. This paper tolerates light erasing and a little spritz of water if you are careful not to soak it. Otherwise, the water will warp the paper. This has two sides: one rougher honeycomb grain and the other is smooth. There are 50 colors to choose from. This is acid free and has a high cotton content (advertising doesn’t state the amount).
There are many other chooses of paper out there. Some artists use charcoal paper or drawing paper.

Have fun experimenting and find the papers that work for you.