Can You Use Fixative on Acrylic Paint?

When it comes to protecting acrylic paintings from sunlight, dust and moisture, you want to know which sealant will hold the fort.   

You can use fixative on acrylic paint at the final step of your painting. The main purpose of fixative spray is to secure multiple layers of paint. 

Workable fixatives can be applied in between the painting process. You can rework an acrylic piece that has been sealed with fixative spray. Therefore, it is a reliable medium for protecting acrylic and it works for a long time. 

So, Can You Use Fixative on Acrylic Paint? Of course! Today we’ll talk about when to apply fixative, what fixative to buy, and if it’s better than acrylic varnish after all!

Everything You Need to Know About Using Fixative on Acrylic Paint 

Most artists face the dilemma of whether or not to spray fixative on their acrylic works. So, we’re here with all the facts, tips, and best practices for using fixative sprays.

Did you know that it’s a great (but underrated) sealant for most paint mediums? No? Then make sure to keep reading! 

Fixatives Are Best for Acrylics, Charcoal and Oil Pastels

It’s okay to hesitate to use a fixative for the first time. We did too! But it turns out it’s good for not only acrylic paint but also chalk, graphite, and pastels. You can safely use a fixative for sealing an artwork made with any of these mediums. 

For acrylics, you’ll have the best results using Sennelier D’Artigny Oil Pastel Fixative or the Krylon Kamar Spray Varnish. 

It’s easy to make home-made fixative for acrylic paint. All you need is one tablespoon of clear shellac and four ounces of isopropyl alcohol. 

Why You Should Use Fixatives for Acrylics

You should use a fixative for acrylic because it locks in the pigments and restores the tooth of your paper. 

This spray doesn’t leave a yellow tinge on your pastel work. It’s a clear, fast-drying solution that can protect your precious art work from the elements. 

But the main reason why you need to start using a fixative for acrylic is something else.

When you apply acrylic color on paper, the paint can bleed through the other side. Too many layers can cause the paper to warp and eventually break. What the solution does is create a barrier between two layers of paint so that they don’t soak into the paper. Cool, right? 

Moreover, fixatives are available in different strengths, finish and UV resistance levels. 

Two Types of Fixative Sprays that You Can Use on Acrylics 

There are two fixative sprays that are suitable for acrylic colors. Depending on where you are in your painting process, consider the following sealants your best options!

Workable Fixative Spray 

A workable fixative is one that allows you to paint over the sealant. This type of fixative is among our favorite art supplies. 

It can work wonders on your canvas, holding each paint layer perfectly in place! 

Dry media is the only acceptable surface for spraying workable fixative. You can spray it all over the surface or in areas where you need more backup. 

Final Fixative Spray 

This type of sealant should be applied towards the end of your work. There is usually no scope for reworking after this step.

However, the chemical reaction from the final spray can fade pigments. This means you’re better off with workable sealants in the initial stage.  

The Advantage of Using Fixatives Over Matte Varnishes

It’s always a good idea to spray fixativeto your art before laying the second coat. Fixatives evaporate fast and provide excellent smudge protection after a single coat. 

You can have your choice of finish with fixative sprays. They are also available in different strengths — years for an archival quality preservation or days for reworking purposes. 

Matte varnishes, on the other hand, have a milky consistency. They take at least 24 hours to cure, during which acrylic polymer varnish can react with dust and other substances. 

Additionally, the matte varnish is surface absorbent. It can sink into the paper if you apply too much. Then again, the matte finish eliminates photo glare and gives a clean look that we love. 

Acrylic Resin Varnish vs Fixative Spray for a Glossier Finish 

We have to side with acrylic resin varnish here. This glossy varnish offers great durability and water-resistance. It doesn’t soak in moisture and can be applied to acrylic paint on canvas. 

The surface can have a high sheen once the varnish dries, which means you’ll have to deal with the glare. 

You can minimize the glare by spraying matte varnish on top of glossy varnish. This technique comes in handy while working with an acrylic medium.

The Winsor and Newton fixing solution gives a soft sheen, but it offers unbeatable smudge protection after only two coats. Unless you want blinding artwork, you can spray fixative to your acrylic or oil painting.  

Sealing Acrylic Paint: Fixative vs Spray Varnish

You can seal colors on canvas with any spray varnish you like. But it’s not an ideal sealant for paper. Nine times out of ten, the matte varnish will fade acrylic by penetrating the paper fibers. 

Therefore, we don’t recommend brush-on varnish for an unprimed paper surface. 

Much like oil paint, acrylic is a thick medium. It can show brush strokes, underpainting, and textures. Matt varnish can gather inside the impressions of brush strokes (look at impasto style) and look inconsistent. Because fixative dries so fast, it leaves a smooth finish all-over. 

You Can Use Acrylic Paint on Top of Spray Fixative 

Once the sealant dries, you can go in with the next coat of paint. Don’t worry; it will evaporate quickly and give you a chance to use several drawing mediums. 

So, although you can use acrylic on top of a fixative, you can’t pull the same trick with oil paintings.

Soft pastel fixative, Sennelier D’Artigny, can be used for varnishing pastel work. It’s a fixative that can preserve acrylic colors as well as oil pastels. 

Anyone willing to try a different varnish spray can take a look at Krylon Gallery Series Fine Art Fixatif. It’s an artist-grade fixing solution for dry to mixed media!

The Best Way to Apply a Fixative Spray on Acrylic Painting

Spray down your acrylic paintings with fixatives in a well-ventilated room. Give the bottle a shake and spray away from a 2-feet distance. Light coats of fixative on a finished piece can render beautiful results on canvas, that too in a short time. 

It takes 5 minutes for each layer to dry. Then you can apply the second coat. To make the most out of your fixative, practice your application method. It’s easy to reduce overspray if you hold the can from a distance.

Most sealants require two to three coats to achieve their said waterproofing status. Therefore, you need to apply reasonably, or you’ll be all out of sealant!

Final Words 

Fixative protects your acrylic from smearing, tarnishing, UV rays, and dust. With experience, artists gravitate towards varnish or fixative for sealing their artworks. 

In our opinion, fixative has an edge because it restores the absorbance of your paper, stabilizes the pigments, and lets you rework in 30 minutes!

We hope we answered your question — ‘can you use fixative on acrylic paint’ and cleared any confusion you might have about its application, type, and formula. Thanks for reading!