While working on #4 of my Cabinet of Curiosities boxes, I tried
something new. I use the tissue paper transfer method to get my images
onto carving material. After getting a pencil image, I usually use a
fine point Sharpie to darken and sharpen the transfer image. BUT, I
always end up smearing the image while working (both the Sharpie ink &
the pencil smear).

This time, I sprayed my tranferred image with workable fixative, which
I spray lightly on my pastel paintings to "set" the pigment powder in
place. For this purpose, I used a heavier coat on the stamp material.
I found that it helped a lot. Smearing was reduced greatly, but not
totally eliminated.

I'll bet that hair spray would act the same way, though (and it's less
expensive than workable fixative). With hair spray, I'd keep it light
to avoid forming a crust.

Anyone else have other solutions for smearing?

Paul in SF