Difference between revisions of "Fixative"
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | A consolidant or varnish that physically binds a powdery material, such as [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=charcoal charcoal] or [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=pastel pastel], to the substrate. A common fixative for charcoal drawings has been a weak alcohol solution of [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=shellac shellac], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=mastic | + | A consolidant or varnish that physically binds a powdery material, such as [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=charcoal charcoal] or [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=pastel pastel], to the substrate. A common fixative for charcoal drawings has been a weak alcohol solution of [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=shellac shellac], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=mastic%20resin mastic], or [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=sandarac sandarac] applied with a sprayer or atomizer. However, these resins tend to discolor with age, so current commercially available fixatives contain dilute solutions of synthetic resins such as [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=acrylic%20resin acrylics], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=cellulose%20nitrate cellulose nitrate], and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=cellulose%20acetate cellulose acetate]. Aqueous solutions of [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=starch starch], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=gum%20arabic gum arabic], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=funori funori], and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=casein casein] have also been used as fixatives. While fixatives may protect and hold the pigments in place, they can also cause numerous problems over time such as changing the refractive index and gloss, darkening, cracking, and becoming insoluble. |
== Synonyms and Related Terms == | == Synonyms and Related Terms == | ||
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fixatives (pl.); fijativo (Esp.); fixatif (Fr.); fixativo (Port.) | fixatives (pl.); fijativo (Esp.); fixatif (Fr.); fixativo (Port.) | ||
| − | Examples include: | + | Examples include: Krylon® spray; Duro-Fix; Spray-Fix; Tuffilm; Paper-Cote; Fix-O-Spray; Plasti-Lac; Zapon-lack [Dulux]; Cellit |
== Hazards and Safety == | == Hazards and Safety == | ||
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== Authority == | == Authority == | ||
| − | * | + | * R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966 |
| − | * | + | * Ralph Mayer, ''A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques'', Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing) |
* ''A Glossary of Paper Conservation Terms'', Margaret Ellis (ed.), Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York City, 1998 | * ''A Glossary of Paper Conservation Terms'', Margaret Ellis (ed.), Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York City, 1998 | ||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
* ''The Dictionary of Art'', Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: 'Fixative' | * ''The Dictionary of Art'', Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: 'Fixative' | ||
| − | * | + | * Marjorie Shelley, ''The Care and Handling of Art Objects'', The Metropolitan Museum, New York, 1987 |
| − | * | + | * Hermann Kuhn, ''Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities'', Butterworths, London, 1986 |
| − | * | + | * C.V.Horie, ''Materials for Conservation'', Butterworth-Heineman, London, 1997 |
| − | * | + | * Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, ''Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology'', U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982 |
[[Category:Materials database]] | [[Category:Materials database]] | ||
Revision as of 06:49, 24 July 2013
Description
A consolidant or varnish that physically binds a powdery material, such as charcoal or pastel, to the substrate. A common fixative for charcoal drawings has been a weak alcohol solution of shellac, mastic, or sandarac applied with a sprayer or atomizer. However, these resins tend to discolor with age, so current commercially available fixatives contain dilute solutions of synthetic resins such as acrylics, cellulose nitrate, and cellulose acetate. Aqueous solutions of starch, gum arabic, funori, and casein have also been used as fixatives. While fixatives may protect and hold the pigments in place, they can also cause numerous problems over time such as changing the refractive index and gloss, darkening, cracking, and becoming insoluble.
Synonyms and Related Terms
fixatives (pl.); fijativo (Esp.); fixatif (Fr.); fixativo (Port.)
Examples include: Krylon® spray; Duro-Fix; Spray-Fix; Tuffilm; Paper-Cote; Fix-O-Spray; Plasti-Lac; Zapon-lack [Dulux]; Cellit
Hazards and Safety
Potential problems: wax (attracts dirt), natural resins (discolor), casein (insoluble), agar with polyvinyl alcohol (shrinks), parylene (insoluble), cellulose derivatives (poor adhesion)
Additional Information
M.Ellis, "The Shifting Function of Artists' Fixatives" JAIC, 35:239-54, 1996. Link
Authority
- R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966
- Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
- A Glossary of Paper Conservation Terms, Margaret Ellis (ed.), Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York City, 1998
- The Dictionary of Art, Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: 'Fixative'
- Marjorie Shelley, The Care and Handling of Art Objects, The Metropolitan Museum, New York, 1987
- Hermann Kuhn, Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities, Butterworths, London, 1986
- C.V.Horie, Materials for Conservation, Butterworth-Heineman, London, 1997
- Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982