Oil over Charcoal on Canvas question?

[Mr-Joe]

Hi,

I have my drawing in charcoal on some primed canvas, ... What do I do to it before I start painting with Oils?

Put a layer of acrylic gesso over it??

Spray some krylon workable fixative over it?

Just start right in with Oils?

I don't think painting right on it with oils seems like the right thing to do, because I'm sure it will smudge in with the charcoal.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Joe.

[Elwell]

Dust off as much of the charcoal as possible with a large, soft brush (or, if you want to be traditional, a feather). You want to leave just a ghost of the image. Then, you have two alternatives; you can give it a light coat of fixative, or just go straight in with thinned down paint, letting the charcoal melt into the darks.

[Mr-Joe]

Thanks for the reply Elwell,

Will the light coat of fixative not allow the paint to stick well?

Which of the two alternatives do you recommend?

[Lee W]

I personally would go straight in with thinned down paint ..

[Elwell]

If you fix it, just a dusting will do it. A few thin coats are always better than one heavy one. You don't want an appreciable layer, just enough to stick the charcoal together and to the surface.
As to which approach is better, that's a matter of preference. Try one this time, the other next.

[Mr-Joe]

Alright thanks a bunch guys, I really appreciate it.

[Verdaccio]

Since we are on the subject of underdrawings, it should be noted that graphite can leech through paint layers and show itself. I have one painting from a number of years ago where that has happened. Using it is certainly not a guarantee that it will occur, but charcoal is a safer bet. :)