DU Artists, please help

[southerngirlwriter]

I am drawing something rather large on a piece of smooth bristol. I'm using charcoal because it's so forgiving, and I like the dramatic effect. My problem is that I keep smudging pieces of it by accident as I work on other parts.

Tips?? I am so new to all this, sigh.....

Thanks! :hi:

[SoCalDem]

1. There is a spray on fixative

I don't know what it's called, but my son (artistic) has used it..
He had a charcoal drawing up on the web (lost the site address) of the coliseum, and he used it on that drawing

[southerngirlwriter]

2. Hmmm...

so if I spray all of it but the corner I'm working on, that should help......

thanks! :)

[mopinko]

3. workable fixative

it will take further layers of media.

[librechik]

9. yes indeed--and white cotton gloves

it's easier than masking with a spare piece of paper, especially if you are working upright rather than flat.

[greyl]

4. ok

Smooth bristol? Some tooth to the board would be better next time. Cold press works fairly well.

For the finished parts, you could spray fixative (or hairspray) onto them.

Or do the preferred thing and just train yourself to not drop your hand. :)

[southerngirlwriter]

6. what do you suggest?

I need something hard enough to stand up on its own. :shrug:

[stepnw1f]

7. Use a heavy weight piece of paper with a little more tooth to it. Stay

away from smooth paper.

[stepnw1f]

5. Place a piece of clean paper under your hand when

drawing and holding the paper in place. Also, tape the corners of the paper your drawing on, to hold your drawing paper in place.

[Qutzupalotl]

10. This works.

(The paper under the hand, I mean.) Just pick it straight up to move it.

You might like Prismacolor Black pencil instead. Doesn't smudge, nice and black. And, of course, plenty of other colors.

You can erase it somewhat with a plastic eraser.

[OhioArtist]

8. Been a while since I used charcoal

but whether I use charcoal or graphite pencils I usually use a piece of tracing paper or ad art paper under my hand. Charcoal may still smear a bit doing this, but charcoal is very touchy. Another solution would be to use an easel or something similar to hold your drawing surface up while you draw and keep your hand from touching it.