How to Seal Oil Pastels
Oil pastels are created utilizing mineral oil, a petroleum-derived non-drying medium. Mineral oil varies considerably from typical drying oils like linseed or safflower. Furthermore, oil pastels include paint coloring and wax as a secondary medium. Lipstick is an oil pastel’s touching relative.
Painters who use oil pastels get the dilemma of dealing with a substance that never soaks or establishes the method that heals (preserves). Such substances’ intrinsic physical characteristics oppose any effort to stiffen them or have them unchangeable. Oil pastels are particularly sensitive both to solvents and stains for this purpose.
10 Effective Ways on How to Seal Oil Pastels:
1. Using Spray Fixative:
This is probably the most common form of sealing oil pastels, but many people don’t realize there are other options. The biggest problem with spray fixative is that it isn’t very environmentally friendly; it can take up to 16 hours for the spray to dry. It also creates a layer on top of the oil pastel, making it difficult to blend and doesn’t provide much depth between colors.
2. Using Gamsol:
Gamsol is a popular way to seal oil pastels in the pastel community. It is a non-toxic, thinning agent that is commonly used in pastel paintings. The technique of sealing oil pastels with Gamsol is the same as with spray fixative in that it doesn’t create depth between colors and can make blending difficult because of the thinning agent.
3. Using Odorless Mineral Spirits:
This is a very similar process to Gamsol. The only difference is that with Odorless Mineral Spirits, you thin the color yourself instead of using a thinning agent in a spray or in a jar. This provides more control over how transparent your colors are and can help prevent oversaturation.
However, it also requires more maintenance in that you need to clean your brushes between colors, use separate jars for each color, and have a safe place to put the jar when not in use. Also, since it is a paint thinner, you will need to wait for it to dry to work well as a sealant.
4. Using Baby Oil:
This is a much less popular method but can be very effective in sealing oil pastels. However, you will need to wait for the baby oil to dry completely before using them and also needs to be reapplied after use. I would not recommend this option because of the extra effort required and the additional cost.
5. Using Acrylic Medium:
The acrylic medium can be another alternative to spray fixative or thinning agent. It works well in creating depth between colors and leaves a protective layer on top of the oil pastel. However, it does make the colors more transparent and makes blending difficult because of how dry it is compared to other products.
6. Using Galkyd Lite:
Galkyd is a product that is used to replace the use of Gamsol in pastel paintings. It creates thickness in your work and leaves an even layer around each color without having to thin yourself or get creative with diluting it. However, the biggest problem with this product is that it can diminish the color intensity over time.
7. Using Liquitex Matte Medium:
This product is a great sealant option in that it dries quickly and adds a protective layer to the oil pastels. It also helps colors retain their vibrancy and provides for a smooth surface. However, this medium can cause some colors to become cloudy depending on your brand. It also makes blending much more difficult because of how dry it is.
8. Using Non-Settling Gel Medium:
This option also provides a protective layer on top of the oil pastel, helping to retain color intensity. The biggest problem with this medium is that it can make blending much more difficult because of how stiff it becomes once dry. It can also cause some colors to become cloudy.
9. Using GAC 500:
GAC 500 is a water-soluble product that can also be used to seal oil pastels. It’s unique because it makes colors more vibrant but does not increase layer thickness or cause cloudy colors like other products on this list do. However, there are some hazards associated with using GAC 500, so using a respirator and gloves is recommended whenever applying this sealant.
10. Using MSA Varnish:
This is a great option for sealing oil pastels and creating layers of color. It leaves the colors vibrant and the surface smooth; however, it does make blending very difficult because of how dry it is. Additionally, this product creates a gloss finish which can be advantageous to some people but not ideal for others.
Some Helpful Tips When Sealing Oil Pastels:
1. Use only an Oil-based sealer. Paint, Polycrylic, Varnish, etc. will ruin your work.
2. Test the sealer on a hidden section before you start fully applying it to your art piece.
3. Be prepared to do multiple coats of sealer to get the desired depth and overall coverage you want.
4. Be careful not to smear or smudge your oil pastels while the sealer is still wet.
5. Wax-based Sealers are not ideal for Oil Pastels due to their low melting point; they will melt under the heat of an Oil Pastel lead.
6. Make sure your oil pastels are completely dried before applying any sealant.
The Different Types of Sealer:
1. Polycrylic:
This is a standard sealant. Though it isn’t the best and nowhere near as good as something like Liquitex, it will work in a pinch. It comes in gloss, satin, semi-gloss, flat finishes. If you use this sealant, you must use at least two coats. The more coats you use, the better your seal will be. If you are using an oil pastel with a lot of pigment (like Derwent or Faber-Castell), this is not good enough. It would help if you had something stronger.
2. Liquitex Matte Medium:
This is a sealant that you can get from your local art store. It is commonly used in mixed media and should be used with any oil pastel unless it specifically says something about how well water will mix with the product.
3. Liquitex Gloss:
This sealant comes in glossy and satin finishes. It is the best sealant to use and does not alter the quality of your art.
4. Golden Polymer Varnish:
This is a sealant that does not alter the quality of your art. Some people like to use it, but it is more expensive than Liquitex gloss (the only reason you would want to use this over Liquitex).
5. Gamsol:
This product comes in a can and works as both a cleaner for your oil pastels and as a sealant. However, this will work only with soft oil pastels (Derwent Coloursoft and Cretacolor Monolith). If you have a hard oil pastel, it won’t work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you seal oil pastels with hairspray?
Yes, you can seal oil pastels with hairspray. However, it is important to test the hairspray on a small area first to make sure that it does not cause any damage.
Do you need a fixative for oil pastels?
No, you do not need a fixative for oil pastels. However, if you want to keep your work for a longer period of time, then you can use an archival paste or spray.
Can You Mod Podge Over Oil Pastels?
Yes, you can Mod Podge over oil pastels. However, it is important to use a non-toxic Mod Podge and to follow the instructions carefully.
First, remove the art supplies from the paint by scraping them with a knife or sharp object. Second, pour enough Mod Podge into a bowl or container to cover the oil pastels. Third, add the oil pastels and stir gently until coated. Fourth, let the mixture dry for at least two hours before using it.
What Is the Best Way to Store Pastels?
There are a few ways to store pastels:
1. In a plastic bag: This is the most common way to store pastels because it is easy to transport and protects them from moisture.
2. In an airtight container: This is ideal for long-term storage, but it can be difficult to find a big enough airtight container for all your pastels.
3. In a dry place: If you don’t have a lot of space, you can store your pastels in a dry place where they will be protected from moisture and dust.
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