SpectraFix - Degas Spray Fixative
Protect pastels and drawings with Degas's casein formula, safe indoors
Degas didn't reach for toxic solvents when protecting his pastel work, and neither should you. SpectraFix revives his original casein-based formula, milk protein, water, and alcohol, creating a fixative you can spray indoors without ventilation concerns or chemical sensitivity issues. The natural formulation eliminates harsh fumes while delivering genuine protection for dry media.
Casein bonds permanently with drawing surfaces, securing pigment particles without the darkening or color shift common with synthetic fixatives. This same protein structure that anchors pastel and charcoal also integrates with oil paint layers during underpainting stages, functioning like traditional egg tempera to lock grisaille work in place before subsequent glazing. The fixative maintains tooth between applications, allowing you to build pastel layers or establish complex mixed media compositions without sealing the surface completely.
Beyond paper, this fixative adheres to primed canvas, raw wood, ceramic, stone, leather, and glass, expanding your substrate options for drawing and mixed media experiments. Compatible with soft pastels, oil pastels, colored pencil, graphite, charcoal, watercolor, gouache, and ink, it handles the full range of dry and water-based media. Use it to prevent graphite or charcoal underdrawing from muddying subsequent paint layers, or apply between pastel passages to build depth without losing surface receptivity. For finished work in acrylic or oil, seal with appropriate varnish rather than relying on fixative as final protection.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
- Casein-based formula safe for indoor use
- Odor-free alternative to solvent fixatives
- Works on paper, canvas, wood, ceramic
- Protects pastels, graphite, charcoal, colored pencil
- Prevents underdrawing smudges under oils
- Bonds permanently with oil paint layers
- Inspired by Edgar Degas's original recipe
