Hey traditional artists, tell me about fixative.

[Kombucha]

It's on the list of things I need for my drawing class. My teacher recommends hairspray because it's cheaper, but I don't know what kind aside from that it's best if it's "firm hold" or something like that and has relatively few ingredients (no oils, conditioners, plant extracts). However, apparently hairspray can cause yellowing and other problems. If I use hairspray, tell me a brand that works. If you don't think I should use hairspray, tell me what I should look for in real fixative.

Edit: I got something.

[AstronautClock]

I use a matt varnish. I dont like glossy it shines too much. it shouldnt really matter what you use.
I use mine just for paintings. I heard about using hairspray but I've never used that. but anything should be fine tbh. just try some stuff

[FLOUNDERMAN_CLOCK]

just buy actual fixative I got a can for ten bucks and its a lot.

[Sinister Clock]

I always just bought the cheapest hairspray there and I had no problems.

[Kombucha]

Are you working in charcoal or pastels or what?

Mostly just normal HB pencils, sometimes paints and colored pencils. We're using charcoal a lot in-class but it's mostly for short, basic assignments. I hope to God we never have to use it for anything important because I hate working with charcoal. Apparently we're also supposed to use soft pencils and soft graphite sticks sometime, which I'm more okay with.

I've used ebony pencils and pastels before and I like them, but I don't use them often.

Edit: Also, the kind of paper I normally use is smooth Bristol. In class we normally use newsprint. I don't know if paper is important to what I should use for fixative, but it can't hurt to know.

[Sinister Clock]

Why would you ever use fixative for anything not charcoal?

[Kombucha]

Because there are other things that can smudge.

[AstronautClock]

Why would you ever use fixative for anything not charcoal?

say you have a watercolour painting and you fear it might someday get wet. fear no mroe with fixative.
and everything pencilmade smudges too

[Sinister Clock]

Ok then. I treat all my traditional stuff like shit tbh.

[Arctic]

just buy actual fixative I got a can for ten bucks and its a lot.

This.

Curious why using something else would even be considered unless you're literally a starving artist on the street?

[Kombucha]

I got something that will hopefully work.

Curious why using something else would even be considered unless you're literally a starving artist on the street?

Because my teacher recommended something else.

[CerealGuy]

this Lmao, but still around? minimodding, is why guy not