From time to time, you need to preserve your pencil drawings. To be in a position to preserve pencil drawings, you need to learn various life hacks on how to preserve pencil drawings. There are several life hacks available in the market today. To identify the path, you need to compare them in terms of affordability, effectiveness, and efficiency. In this article, we will discuss the various life hacks on how to preserve pencil drawings and identify their affordability, effectiveness, and efficiency.
Why Do We Need to Preserve Pencil Drawings?
The answer to this question is that graphite is a type of art medium that requires extreme care when drawing or sketching. Once it gets on your hand’s surface, paper, or any other object, graphite can easily smudge, and it can be quite challenging to clean.
Such a situation can cause frustration, especially when you are actively working hard to complete your art commission for a customer and it gets smudge. That’s why it is of great importance to preserve your pencil drawings and to protect them from smudging and other damages.
What Are The Different Types of Life Hacks on How to Preserve Pencil Drawing?
There are different types of life hacks on how to save pencil drawing. Some of these life hacks include:
1. Using Fixative Sprays
Fixative sprays are commonly used in the art community. They are very cheap and easy to find. You can get them at your next craft shop or order them online. The fixative is a crystal-clear liquid containing two components:
i. Resin
The resin preserves your artwork by stabilizing the graphite. Once applied, the finished artwork is smooth and free from dust particles.
ii. The Evaporating Component
The evaporating component is similar to alcohol. It enhances the application of the resin by enabling it to dry.
The mechanics of drawing explains the purpose of the fixatives. The pencil artist deposits graphite particles while creating pictures. Although the paper surface appears smooth on naked eyes, it is rough and made up of fibers. When the fibers’ roughness catches the graphite, the picture darkens.
When using fixative sprays, it is wise to consider choosing the right fixative spray. There are two types of fixative sprays available in the market; workable fixative and final fixative. The prior is used in the drawing process, while the latter is after the drawing is complete.
You can use the fixative spray to preserve your pencil drawings by applying it directly onto the surface where you want to apply it. It is important to note that you should avoid applying it to areas where you plan to work with your pencil drawings. The effectiveness and efficiency of these sprays cannot be left behind. However, they do not last long, and therefore, you will need to reapply regularly, making them quite expensive.
2. Framing Your Pencil Drawings
Framing your pencil drawings is another way to preserve your pencil drawings without having to spend a lot of money. This method involves placing your pencil drawings inside a frame. The frame usually has UV blocking glass, which helps to protect your pencil drawings from fading. Moreover, framing your pencil drawings also makes them look more attractive and are free from smudge. The framing method is not effective when dealing with sketchbooks.
3. Using Page Protectors
Page protectors are used for covering the pages of your sketchbook so that you can write notes and sketches on them. These page protectors are made of plastic and can be found at most stationery stores. They are very affordable and easy to use. Most importantly, they are highly efficient in preserving your pencil drawings. All you need is to place your pencil drawings between two pieces of transparent page protectors according to their style, theme, and colour. The results after using paper protectors are satisfying. The method is also quite affordable.
4. Putting Wax Paper In Between Pages
Wax papers are widely used in cooking and baking. Wax papers are also be used to protect your pencil art; all you need is to trim and put the wax paper between each page of your sketchbook. The wax paper acts as an excellent barrier against moisture and dust. It also prevents your pencil drawings from being damaged by heat and humidity. The method is affordable, efficient, and effective.
5. Putting Your Art in A Portfolio
Putting your art in a portfolio is also one of the best ways to preserve your pencil drawings. Instead of using fixative and page protectors, this method uses a portfolio. The portfolios are designed to hold multiple sheets of paper. It is advisable to buy portfolios that are specifically designed for holding pencil drawings. The portfolios are available in various sizes depending on the number of pages you wish to store. If you are looking for something specific, you can always search online.
6. Laminating Pencil Drawings
Laminating your pencil drawings is yet another great way to preserve your pencil art. The process involves gluing or laminating your pencil drawings together. Some of the laminating methods include adhesive-backed, double-sided tape, and self-adhesive. The lamination process is quite simple; however, it requires some time to get the desired result.
The lamination process takes about 15 minutes to complete. Delaminating the process after a long time is a challenging task that requires care and skills. The laminating method is relatively affordable, effective, and efficient. However, when delaminating your pencil drawings, you may experience a hard time. The method should be preferably used where delaminating is not required.
7. Storing Your Pencil Drawings
Storing your pencil drawings in containers free from humidity and UV light is also another method to preserve pencil drawings. You can either make wooden boxes or purchase plastic or metallic boxes. The storing protects your drawings from getting damaged due to exposure to sunlight and humidity. The method does not require any skill or expertise. The method is inexpensive, but the quality of the container determines how well your drawings will last.
8. Using Hair Spray
Hair spray is also an alternative way to preserve your pencil drawings without spending much money. You only need to apply hair spray to the backside of your pencil drawing. Hair spray has a high resistance to water and oil. It also helps prevent your drawings from getting damaged by heat and humidity because it is impervious to both. The method is cheap, effective, and efficient, but you have to be careful with the amount of hair spray you use.
FAQs: How To Preserve Pencil Drawings
Q: Do I Need To Protect My Pencil Drawings While They Are Being Preserved?
A: Yes. Protecting your pencil drawings is important as this prevents them from getting damaged. You can use transparent sheets or clear plastic covers. These materials help protect your drawings from dust, dirt, and other contaminants.
Q: What Is The Difference Between Preserving Pencil Drawings And Archiving?
A: Archiving means saving your work permanently. It includes scanning your pencil drawings into digital format. Archiving is expensive and requires a lot of storage space. Preserving pencil drawings is cheaper and more convenient than archiving.
Q: Can I preserve my pencil drawings digitally?
A: Yes, you can. But remember that you cannot archive your pencil drawings digitally. You can print out your pencil drawings using a laser printer or inkjet printer. You can also scan your pencil drawings using a scanner.
Bottom Line
Preserving pencil drawings is one of the most popular ways to keep your artwork safe. There are various ways on how to preserve pencil drawings. Some of the methods are easy and cheap, while others are complicated and costly. Remember that the method you choose depends on your personal preference and budget. Today, we’ve discussed some of the best life hacks on how to preserve pencil drawings. We hope these tips will help you save your artwork for future generations.
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