A natural milk casein fixative that is based on an antique recipe used by Degas himself. This is the perfect fixative for pastel, charcoal, gouache and watercolour. Its workable matt finish allows deep layering with minimal colour shift.

It is safe for use indoors or in the classroom as there are no odours or toxic fumes. It conforms to ASTM D-4236 regulations and is 100% archival, meaning there is no dulling of colour or yellowing over time. It dries rapidly to a matt finish and is workable, allowing for deep layers to be achieved. It is perfect for holding pastel, charcoal, conte crayon, pencil, casein, watercolour, tempera, gouache, crossover techniques and under oil paints.

Read a review of Spectrafix on our blog

Please note: Spectrafix pastel fixative does contain water and has a thinner consistency to regular fixatives - in order to use it properly and to get the best results please follow the instructions below:

How to Use SpectraFix

Use it to fix charcoal, pastel, conte, pencil, watercolours, gouache, tempera or on mixed media cross-over techniques. It is also good for use in securing an underpainting layer before you varnish or apply oil paint. It dries to a velvety matte finish within 1-2 minutes, so sprayed and unsprayed areas are indistinguishable.

First, make sure that you have removed excess charcoal or pastel dust clinging to borders or naked areas which you do not want to be coloured by tapping the sheet gently on an edge. Try not to breathe pastel dust. Blowing is not recommended as it makes the dust airborne and the pigments easily work their way into lungs.

For thick applications, tapping gently on the back will generally remove excess without disturbing your work. Remember, if you are working vertically, the dust does fall downward and will come to rest on the lower areas of your art, so be sure to tap from the top down. Tilting the easel forward while you work can also help.

Spraying across your artwork at an angle is a great way to maximize the drift of the spray and allow it to fall on the maximum area. Either set your work upright or lay it down. Some artists suggest upright, so that any droplets that form on the nozzle will not fall on your artwork, but on the floor. You may also consider spraying from two opposing angles to hold the pastel firmly.

Generally speaking, a light misting on every layer of pastel will help hold the foundational layers better than a final soaking coat. It will also ensure that the painting grips its support from the bottom up, and final layers of colour can be added to 'tune' the overall colour symphonics at the end.

Soaking layers are fine, but the crystalline powdery pastel will compact a bit more and be slightly less brilliant due to less light penetration between the crystals.

While the casein in SpectraFix does not seem to 'sediment out' over time, if you have let it sit for many weeks, giving it a shaking ensures that the casein is evenly mixed into the solution. If the nozzle plugs up, just scratch it gently with your fingernail or another small object and remove any clots. Then spray again. The alcohol in the formula will dissolve any remaining blockage.

Workable Fixatives

Fixatives allow you to fix your work at a certain point and continue working, or to seal the artwork to protect it. This is a ‘Workable fixative’, which will add a toothy texture to your artwork. This is useful when the surface of the paper has become saturated, so that no more pencil will apply. If you apply a spray of workable fixative, this will add tooth back on top.

Please note: a few customers have found that the spray bottle could be better - our Continuous Fine Mist Sprayer works very well to eliminate the problem. You can also buy them both as a set here.