Fixing pastels

Albion wrote:

Hi all, I'm wanting to use artists soft pastels for weathering effects as I already have a box full used for painting/drawing. When I use them normally I fix with pastel spray fixative. Anyone any idea if this would be okay to use on models? Or is it likely react with other materials? Thanks!

Using a fixative on the models shouldn't hurt anything, but in all likelyhood will drastically alter (even destroy) the appearance of the pastels... Be sure to experiment on a "paint hulk" to see what'll happen...

Myself, I usually let 'em go as is, but I'm experimenting with a hairspray method of fixing them, where the hairspray is applied first and the pastels applied over it.. Seems to work ok so far, but only time will tell after a few dustings..

As Hans stated they will without question be altered in appearance if you overspray with anything. Do them last and don't touch them. I know that Mig has an acrylic fixer that sells for an obscene price but I use his pigments without fixing them and I only use his rust colors.

I would experiment on an old model first. There is a real learning curve to NOT overdoing pastels/pigments etc.

Not being able to fix pastels to a realistic look is one of the banes of most modelers.