Do you consider lightfastness when choosing your supplies? I think it’s probably less important for things like art journaling or sketching and probably more important for things you’re selling, giving away, or you intend to display.
I’ve recently been learning about supplies and have been surprised to learn that a lot of things like alcohol markers, gouache, and many colored pencils aren’t lightfast. From painting I know some pigments are more/less lightfast than others but didn’t realize how many not cheap supplies aren’t lightfast.
Do you look at lightfast info when purchasing or considering what supplies to use for a project?
I only think about it for pieces that may be outdoors. For art, I mostly hope that sealants will help with lightfastness and if there’s a piece I’m realllllllly attached to, I’d seal it and also put it under archival glass in a frame.
I always consider lightfastness, but I usually seal everything with Golden UV-blocking archival matte spray too…
However (and I’m fully aware this is slightly off-topic, but feel they go hand-in-hand), I’m usually much more concerned with making sure my supplies are ACID-Freeeeeeeeee. I worked for a bit in the binding/conservation department of a big music library, and OMG the acidic papers and inks become a huge problem (and can affect everything surrounding them). I feel like people laugh whenever I bring up acidity of sharpies, etc. when used in ATCs, etc. but it’s a huge issue for me, personally.
I’ve seen the effects of the acidity in sharpies first hand. Two different situations where the ink has seeped through laminate flooring (what?!?) and through latex paint on a wall. Even after several coats of paint! It’s mind boggling.
Golden brand clear coat is great! I use it on all my pieces unless it’s something I can put archival wax on. And yeah ball point pen and sharpie ink doesn’t age well in my experience - always assumed that it has to do with acidity
