Your chalk art drawing is done, and now you want to know how to preserve chalk art?
No worries, we’ve got you covered. But, before you can understand how to preserve chalk art, you need to know why it’s essential.
Then, you need to know about the various tools you can use and what works best for different surfaces.
If you’re new to chalk art, preserving chalk art can seem complex, but when you get the hang of it, it’ll become easier.
This is a guide covering how to preserve chalk art.
We’ll be covering the following topics:
Why It’s Important to Preserve Chalk Art?
One of the best things about chalk is that you can erase it. So, why would anyone want to preserve chalk art?
Simple, you may have made something that you want to store. The drawing may have come out better than expected, and you don’t want it to smudge.
Whatever the reason, you preserve chalk art when you want the chalk art to last.
What Tools Do You Need?
For preserving chalk art, you need to know what tools to use. You can use a permanent fixative spray, hair spray, or Mod Podge Matte.
Most professional artists use commercial fixatives to preserve chalk art.
Fixatives are similar to varnishes. They help to stabilize the chalk onto the canvas and prevent it from disappearing.
There are different types of fixatives, ranging from water-based, workable, to UV resistant.
Other tools that you may need are gloves and goggles to protect your skin and eyes from the spray droplets.
It would help if you also found a ventilated place to spray there since the fumes can be hazardous in a confined space.
How to Preserve Chalk Art on Paper?
The best way to preserve chalk art on paper is to use a fixative spray. Hair spray works, but it can yellow the paper, so fixative is the best choice.
You can use the workable fixative while you’re drawing so that you can make changes while the chalk art doesn’t smudge or rub off.
With a permanent fixative, the chalk art is completely sealed.
Some excellent workable fixatives to try are Winsor & Newton Artists’ Fixative and Lascaux Fine Art Fixative.
The Winsor fixative is quick to dry, and you can add 2-3 light layers of the spray. Grumbacher Final Fixative and SpectraFix Spray Fixative are excellent permanent fixatives.
For all fixatives, spray lightly and place the paper vertically on a platform at a distance of 10 inches to 2 meters from yourself.
If you’re trying a fixative for the first time, use it on another rough, discardable chalk art to check how it affects the artwork and paper.
We also recommend watching this video by You Are an Artist to learn more:
How to Preserve Chalk Art on Concrete/ Sidewalk?
While you can use a fixative spray to preserve chalk art on sidewalks, it’s always temporary and will fade away after some time.
The elements like wind and rain will eventually make the chalk art fade away. Still, you can use some methods to make it last longer.
If you want your drawings to last until a particular festival or event passes, you can cover your chalk art with a plastic drop cloth and duct tape.
Place the plastic drop cloth over your drawing and tape the corners to stick the fabric to the ground.
Ensure that the surface isn’t wet or covered with sand or leaves – duct tape won’t stick otherwise.
How to Preserve Chalk Art on a Chalkboard?
Hair spray is a cheap alternative and is a preservation that works great on chalkboards. When you first spray it, it will seem like the chalk got rubbed off since the hair spray is wet.
But, don’t worry, your chalk art is still there. When the spray dries, your drawing will magically appear on the chalkboard.
However, the chalkboard won’t have the signature dusty feel – looks excellent with chalk lettering.
Also, if you dry anything after the drying, it will be erasable. Similarly, the Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer (Matte) works okay with chalk art.
To learn more, we also recommend this video by Toy-Addict:
How Long Does Chalk Art Usually Last?
When you preserve chalk art on concrete or sidewalk, your chalk art will last for 5 to 10 days at most, may last longer if you spray often or it doesn’t rain.
After you’ve preserved chalk art on paper and chalkboard, it will last for quite some time and may not disappear.
It depends on what type of fixative you use. With a good fixative or preservation method, chalk art will last a long time.
Final Remarks
Now that you know the tools you’ll need, hit up a store near you or search through Amazon for a suitable fixative. Suppose you’ve hair spray lying around, even better.
Just follow a few precautions when using the tools so that you don’t get hurt and your chalk art preservation is a success.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make chalk art last longer?
To make chalk art last longer, you can use a fixative spray or a clear acrylic sealer to protect the surface from moisture and fading. It’s also important to choose a high-quality chalk and a smooth, non-porous surface for your artwork.
Is there a way to make chalk permanent?
No, there is no way to make chalk permanent. Chalk is a temporary medium that is designed to be easily erased or smudged. If you want to create a more permanent artwork, you may want to consider using a different medium such as paint or ink.
Harriet Maher a freelance writer based in Otautahi New Zealand, where she grew up. After completing an Honours degree in Art History at the University of Canterbury in 2014, she was awarded a full scholarship for a Masters in Art History at the University of Melbourne, which she completed in 2017. She has a lifelong desire to learn, so she’s passionate about new and innovative art practices, and she’s always seeking out new ways to look at and understand art. Her writing attempts to make the invisible seen, and the unsayable said.