Sealing oil pastels with fixatives and mediums

I know the best way to protect oil pastels is to frame the work in a frame away from the glass but I wanted another quick option especially for storage. I had these fixatives, varnishes and mediums already so I tested them out for you and me. Spoiler alert: the matte mediums do the job well.
Here's what I used. They are affiliate links for Jackson's but most are available at your local art supply store. Clicking on these helps me out but does not cost you (except you'll probably go on a shopping spree!). If you are new to Jackson's you will get a 10% discount.
Spectrafix
www.jacksonsart.com/en-ca/spe...
Royal Talens Cobra odourless varnish in satin
Golden Matte Medium
www.jacksonsart.com/en-ca/gol...
Liquitex Matte Medium
www.jacksonsart.com/en-ca/liq...
Golden self-levelling gel (gives a glossy finish)
www.jacksonsart.com/en-ca/gol...
Royal Talens Cobra water mixable oil varnish in satin
www.jacksonsart.com/en-ca/roy...

[@Bonnie10au]

There is also a varnish for oil pastels by Talens. You apply it with a brush. I have used it twice and it works pretty well too.

[@eileenreillyarts1229]

I will try out varnishes too. This is just what I had on hand an I was hoping would work without buying something. Although this notion of frugality didn't stop me from spending money at the art store on Thursday...

[@dolphinboy9717]

the problem with all the acrylic mediums is they are a plastic film over a non drying oil. if the pastel is very thin then the acrylic can bond to the paper in the empty spots, but if the pastel covers all the paper then the acrylic layer will float over the pastel. You will find that you can peel the acrylic layer off the pastel as a giant sheet. its not a big deal, but its a very weak layer. probably good enuf tho.

[@davidmolloy126]

Hiya Eileen, The best fixative for oí pastels is Gamvar acrylic varnish by Gamblin. It's applied with a soft brush, but it's got a flexible surface when dried so it allows for the movement of the pastels underneath. It's been going for several years and work's wonderfully. From a fan in England.x

[@eileenreillyarts1229]

I was really just working with what I had rather than once again ordering or popping to the art supply shop. But I will keep that in mind.

[@Kaylasdaintydesk]

I like sennelier’s oil pastel fixative. It takes 3-4 coats, 15 mins to dry between coats but it works like a dream

[@eileenreillyarts1229]

I may try that one at some point. Trying to use up what I've got

[@CreatingCuteArt]

Matte medium FTW! Very informative, thx!

[@eileenreillyarts1229]

😂

[@veystone2580]

The liquitex matt aint good fir me cause I use a sketchbook and once I close the sketchbook, the artwork (no matter how dry it was... even dried for days) it will stick to the previous page. A mess!
I wonder if the Spectrafix will work on a sketchbook scenario!
Do you have any insights about that?

[@angelicasmith2457]

Is the gloss one you used at the end an acyrlic gloss gel? I have used it on oil pastel before and you can't even scratch the painting after a month or so of curing but I can't find any other information on it, like if it will cause cracking long term or discoloration. Just wondering your thoughts 😊 thank you for the video!

[@eileenreillyarts1229]

Yes it's an acrylic product called self-levelling gel. Any synthetic varnishes should be less likely to discolour and because they are usually polymer based there is some room for expanding and contracting so less chance of cracking

[@JC-il4or]

Interesting experiment.
Did you let the painting dry for any length of time vefore sealing?
What kind of oil pastels are on the painting? (Oil content varies from brand to brand)
Thanks!

[@eileenreillyarts1229]

I believe I listed the types at the beginning of the video - Sennelier, Holbein, Caran D'ache, Mungyo. I gave it a few days, I believe, but oil pastels never truly cure/dry.

[@marytesta3003]

I see several use various fixatives. Do you still frame with glass?

[@eileenreillyarts1229]

I actually haven't. I put them in plain frames instead.

[@frank1fm634]

thanks:)

[@annecollier8741]

You can use a gel plate to apply liquid mediums without a brush

[@eileenreillyarts1229]

That is a great idea!

[@quuqeemonster]

I could not even hear your conclusion. Your voice just faded away at the end

[@eileenreillyarts1229]

I definitely hear myself say matte mediums at the end so it's either of them - Golden or the Liquitex. They are both good.

[@elliottberger9748]

Great video, would love to see more! You definitely need to research P R O M O S M!