Pastel Auxiliaries
Pastel auxiliaries include preparation products (pastel ground, gesso) that create suitable textured surfaces, fixatives for protecting and stabilizing works, and solvents with oils (odorless mineral spirits, linseed oil) that thin oil pastels for painterly effects. Varnishes are used mainly in mixed media when pastels combine with acrylics or other mediums.
-
Price range: 2.50 € through 28.80 €Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
-
-
-
Preparation products (pastel ground, gesso) create textured surfaces on canvas, wood, or cardboard that hold pastel pigment. Fixatives protect finished works from smudging and are available in workable type for intermediate layers and final for permanent protection, in spray or liquid form. Solvents (odorless mineral spirits, turpentine) and oils (linseed oil) thin oil pastels giving fluidity for washes and painterly techniques similar to oil painting.
Solvents and oils are applied with brush or cotton and require good ventilation during use. Fixative is applied in thin layers from 25-30cm distance but slightly darkens colours. Varnishes are used mainly in mixed media and allow protection when pastels are not framed under glass. Oil pastels don’t need fixative as they have stable creamy consistency. See also our pastels, pastel papers, and drawing tools.