Charcoal and pastel need protection, but standard fixatives often darken values or create glossy spots that ruin the surface. Grumbacher's Workable Fixative maintains a matte finish while preserving your drawing's tonal range, letting you continue working after application without fighting against a sealed surface. The formula binds loose media particles without saturating them, so subsequent layers grip properly rather than sliding across a slick barrier.

This versatility extends beyond traditional drawing surfaces. Spray it on acetate, metal foil, or glass to create tooth where none existed, suddenly water-based media can grip and flow on materials that normally repel them. Commercial artists rely on this capability when working across mixed media projects that demand unconventional substrates.

The non-glossy finish preserves the soft, velvety quality characteristic of pastel and charcoal work. Apply light coats between layers during development, or use heavier coverage for final protection. Each application dries quickly to a workable surface, whether you're building up complex passages in colored pencil or preparing slick materials for watercolor washes that need actual surface texture to hold them.