Why I Spray Acetone on my Charcoal on Canvas Artwork

[@gwenaguilar7049]

It gives the feeling of them running through water. I really like it

[@savedbychrist23]

I enjoyed this video , I always messed up my charcoal drawings by adding color. I don't need to add any color anymore. I'm a new subscriber. Thank you

[@secondwind75]

Thanks for showing your technique more in depth, Joel. It's definitely a great "signature" feature in your work but I gotta tell ya, it makes me anxious every time you do it! All that work and time and I imagine it streaking down the canvas! It's never happened, you're always in control, you've done a bunch of pieces, but that don't matter - ya freakin' me out! Lol... Hate to see you go from realistic wildlife artist to that abstract, fling crap on a canvas kinda guy. Haaa! Thanks for another good one. Troy

[@pault.5434]

WOW x 3 and thank you for this insightful demonstration!

[@robhead22]

Terrific demo and info!! Thank you!

[@andrewtheanimal]

thanks for making the video, now i understand why you spray the acetone~

[@Nancy-tr5fi]

Acetone on charcoal, going to try that.

[@edytawas4980]

So amazing skills! Wow! I love this drawing😍

[@Clint-x7i]

I like the affect, I do leather work and I use a spray bottle that really makes a fine mist. I might also try in an air brush.

[@phyllismiller4583]

Apsolutely beautiful 😍

[@phyllismiller4583]

So apsolutely beautiful and so talented

[@judithgoulden972]

Thanks for this update.i havnt had much luck spraying my work on watercolor paper...I must try charcoal on canvas.

[@amel2784]

Wow. You rock. What a great idea. I love working with charcoal but left it behind bc paper turns yellow and ages and I didn't know how to seal it good enough for me to like it. 👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@febquilter]

Thanks for the explanation! I just now discovered your work on Instagram, and of course, the first reaction is a question instead of a compliment for your extraordinary art! (I'm a why girl. 🤷‍♀️) I am a poor excuse of a sketches, but my watercolors bring me joy. I hope your work brings you as much joy as I find in looking at all the wonderful animals you create. 💜

[@jaimejaime1178]

Hi Joel. Jim from Madrid, Spain (a New Yorker expat living abroad). I just left you a message on your other video on the "horses" piece asking you exactly about the acetone and working fixative, and with this video you just answered my questions. Additionally, there's another comment from @kattydawson on this video, asking how you apply the final coats for fixing the Art piece, which was going to be actually my next question, so thank you again for answering her and for sharing with all of us your experience and know-how. Awesome Art! Cheers from Sunny Spain! 😁👍😎

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I just posted a new video explaining in detail (and with a few updates) how I seal and finish the final art. Check it out and let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!

[@annmcleod1783]

Gorgeous piece!

[@staceygrimes4107]

A few questions.. if you have the opportunity. Do you prepare canvas before with anything? Also, after your first spray of acetone, do you use fixative before second round of charcoal? Very new to charcoal, I can’t wait to try! Thank you for sharing ♥️

[@JoelPilcherArt]

This one was pre primed, but I've recently been applying a couple layers of matte gesso before drawing and I like it even better. Yes, fixative after acetone and before the next layer. Thank you!

[@leilalagren]

Like this ❤

[@peterleong2153]

Hi Joel This is Peter Leong from Macau , I just watched this video and I really like to try this technique with charcoal on canvas , and I would appreciate if you can let me know the exact steps of this technique. What I understand is 1. First layer of charcoal drawing 2. Spray on a layer with the acetone 3. Spray on a layer of fixative Then repeat the 3 steps again Thank you so much to let me know this technique 🙏

[@hindifacts7737]

Hello sir after acetone did me Joel put fixative?

[@lauraschuler4107]

Joel, love your work and your videos! Thank you! One question- can you erase back to white or lift the charcoal after the acetone? And what about lifting after the first fixative ? Thanks a million . I gave a big piece on my easel and would hate to wreck it!!

[@SparkleKitty17]

Hey Joel, amazing artwork and video! Have you tried the same effect with isopropyl alcohol? I know you can get some deep values with charcoal and alcohol, but never tried the spray technique you're using. Also, I'm just going through your videos so I apologize if you talked about this already, but how do you prepare your canvases, or are they just straight from the shop? Thanks!

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I have tried alcohol and I didn't like the results as much. For canvas prep, I used to not do any additional prep. Just straight from the shop. But recently I started adding a couple layers of gesso before drawing and I really like the texture it creates. Thanks!

[@SparkleKitty17]

@@JoelPilcherArt Awesome, thanks for the info! This has definitely inspired me to change up some of my charcoal techniques as I've always wanted to try out drawing on canvas. Love love love your artwork!

[@ferqiyecalalova222]

Hello .Another wonderful work.l watch your works witch great pleasure and enthusiam.Because l learn a lot from you from a technical point of view.please tell me the last thing you used on the canvas of you works. Such as the clay you applied .Because the video you shot on tap of the dog and deer works is not fully recorded please let me know more about it. Good luck to you

[@robertopalmacci6828]

Grande artista sei bravissimo , sto provando a disegnare con grafite, mi puo dare un consiglio lo spruzzino dentro che prodotto c'è . mi puoi rispondere Italiano grazie

[@greywilson7156]

Great artwork. Have you ever tried spraying with an airbrush?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Never have tried that. Thanks!

[@amnaartandreviews5384]

Can we use fixative spray as well

[@Sea2Skyward]

How does the acetone not eat through the plastic

[@radientgaming7151]

What if we use the acetone in a gas can ...like even spray...giving that noisy look like vintage grain look

[@vickim6990]

have you tried your amazing technique on colored pencil? or anything else?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I haven't yet

[@judithhagedoorn3139]

Hi Joël, First of all, my compliments for your artwork! It’s beautiful. I just wonder , doesn’t it damage the canvas? I would like to try this technique with oils, but I am scared that I ‘ll ruin everything.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you! Never had an issue with it damaging the canvas and I've been using this technique for years. I've also never tried acetone with oil paint.

[@myrthocelestin7421]

No fixative after the last layer of charcoal??

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Yes, I spray the final art with Krylon matte finish before brushing on a varnish. See my other video. Thanks!

[@ChristopherYanos-q3y]

Joel do you use a final workable fixative application over the final drawing, if not won’t it smear

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I do. I have a whole sealing process. Check out my other video about it. Thanks!

[@gschollmeyer]

Will this work on pastelmat paper or only canvas?

[@marksneddon5819]

Hey Joel thanks for the great video, after acetone how long do you wait for it to dry before adding fixative and how long roughly for fixative too and thanks again for the great inspiring videos

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Just a few minutes for the acetone to dry and probably about 15 minutes or so for the fixative. Thanks!

[@marksneddon5819]

@@JoelPilcherArt thanks Joel

[@MarisaBandhan]

Hi how long after you spray with the acetone do you apply the workable fixit

[@lyndiekempfer1855]

Hi Joel, It's been a while since you've posted. Hope all is well with your family and you. Do you have any new projects in the works?!

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Yes it has been awhile. I've found youtube to be much more time consuming and less beneficial to my efforts in supporting my family, so I haven't been able to post as much. Be sure to follow my instagram page @joelpilch for more recent and consistent updates. Thanks!

[@GeorgeLimdraw]

Does it work only on vine charcoal?

[@cecolver3600]

Do you have to do anything to prepare the canvas before using charcoal?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I used to just draw directly on a stretched and pre primed canvas and it worked great. Now I apply a couple layers of gesso first for added texture and I love it. Thanks!

[@robcuff5636]

Hi Joel, Thanks for this demonstration of the acetate bubble effect. However, when i try it, nothing happens. i tried it on drawings on charcoal paper Strathmore 500 series and Stonehenge legion paper for charcoal. Does the effect only work if the charcoal is applied a certain way i.e., a pounce bag with charcoal powder lightly smeared or does it also work on charcoal that has been applied by pencil? Thanks!

[@donlee6689]

Not the artist, but I use a similar technique. Charcoal pencils tend to be more 'permanent' and doesn't work as well using this technique. Joel has it down perfectly honestly, if you have access to it, use charcoal powder to get the best results.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I only use charcoal powder and willow charcoal because both are very soft and workable and are more affected by the acetone spray. I prefer not to use pencil for the reason Don mentioned. Thanks!

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Exactly. Thanks!

[@silviatovar4112]

Hola es la primera vez q veo tus videos estoy emocionada ,pero no entiendo lo q dices podrias punerlo con subtitulos en español x favor y podrias poner los nombres de los productos q usas como ese spray, y el barniz me encanta tu tecnica quisiera intentarla gracias

[@legendaryedu]

Is this on canvas & does it work with bristol drawing paper or heavy art paper in general or just rough canvas material?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

This is on canvas, but it creates a similar effect on paper. Thanks!

[@carloaparre1098]

What is the purpose of acetone

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I like the effect it creates and it helps seal and blend the charcoal

[@kathydawson8413]

After your last application of charcoal do you spray with fixative?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

After the final layer of charcoal I spray the artwork with Krylon matte finish spray and then I brush on an isolation coat and then a final coat of satin varnish. It makes it very durable and the finish look is amazing. I have an older video explaining the process and I'm planning to do an update soon. Thanks!

[@josemoctezuma3609]

Can I use the acetone on Strathmore Drawing paper 400 series? I’ve been practicing on paper until I’m confident to transition over to canvas. Also, what brand of canvas do you use?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Yes, it reacts a bit differently on paper, but still has a cool effect. I buy most of my canvases from Milo Art Supply. Thanks!

[@eddeguz1935]

is there a particular type of acetone (strength) cause i did the spraying but nothing happened on the charcoal drawing.

[@StorytellingHeadshots]

That stuff aspirated in the air you are breathing will kill your lungs. Just fyi. You make beautiful work. Let's keep you alive longer to make more of it.

[@rk1516]

This may seem odd, but I can't find a spray bottle that doesn't get destroyed by the acetone. Any brands or tips you recommend?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Interesting. I've never had an issue. I just bought a standard spray bottle from Walmart and I've left the acetone in it for weeks and even months without an issue. Maybe it's the brand of acetone?

[@rk1516]

@@JoelPilcherArt I was thinking that. I'm using acetone from the hardware store and maybe it's more intense. I'll pick up some actual nail polish remover and give that a go. Basically any rubber o-rinhs or softer plastics disintegrate. Thank you!

[@TheKellymiller71]

Have you ever worked with Soft Pastels? Do you find charcoal is more challenging than soft pastels?

[@sanjayrawalartist2873]

Hi joel, I am sanjay rawal artist from india, my question is what is removal product how can I purchase, and another product workable fixitve

TONE THAT “ACE!”

[@bryong1100]

Try it with rubbing alcohol

[@lisalynch629]

Just think of the health of nail salon workers

“SAY HELL-(L)O(W) TO GNAT KING (CHAR)COAL!”

[@ex-vagabond]

Using acetone in an unventilated space, no respirator nor eye-protection is a HUGH no! No! NO! The smell gives me an instant headache, even when used outdoors. This irritation to my respiratory organs is a warning signal to help prevent breathing acetone at much higher concentrations. Avoid inhaling vapour and also prolonged contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Exposure to moderate or high levels of acetone can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and lead to headaches, light-headedness, confusion, increased pulse rate, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, unconsciousness and possibly coma. Yeah, not good! Also not good, acetone can chemically react with the cellulose in cotton fibres leading to degradation and weakening. Spraying, dripping it on watercolour paper (100% cotton fibre) and/or cotton duck canvas may impact archival properties. I’ve not researched effect of acetone on linen or paper pulp as yet. Further: Acetone is highly flammable, and the vapour is volatile. Left standing, it can form peroxides which may then explode. Acetone will dissolve plastic glasses frames, jewellery, pens and pencils and rayon garments. Keep container tightly closed when not in use and store in well-ventilated space away from heat and flame.

COAL: COLA…GNAT KING!…(TAUR-)CHARR…..’COAL’.

[@lisalynch629]

Sweetheart wear a mask

I DIDN’T COME UP WITH THESE NAMES!

[@bozoclown2098]

Sad

[@eonratslear981]

For the love of God, please stop breathing that stuff. Put on a respirator!

“ASS-A-TONE!”