<p>Well, you can use graphite or charcoal pencils for drawing on canvas, but they should be sealed with a fixative or a very thin layer of gesso before applying oil over top of them. That will prevent any bleed as a result of blending with the paints.</p>

<p>If you don't want to do that, then I would use paint, just very thin (thinned with thinner) and fine. Mind you, it's not the same feel as using a pencil, but then you also don't have the worry about layering on it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-27T00:09:19.620Z
2016-04-27T00:09:19.620Z
Joanne C
<p>Traditionally a silver pen was used. see <a href="http://www.naturalpigments.com/art-supply-education/silverpoint-technique-art/" rel="noreferrer">http://www.naturalpigments.com/art-supply-education/silverpoint-technique-art/</a></p>

<p>One of the modern alternatives is the use of fixative over a graphite drawing but it is a controversial method with no longevity evidence. Charcoal will muddy the paint even worse than graphite. </p>

<p>You can paint the drawing and underpaint with any water based medium, acrylic offers a good base paint for oils if you are using a gesso primed canvas.</p>

<p>Still the best way is to stay within the oil family and use a thin wash of oil paint or oil based pastels washed with a thinner.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T22:42:52.517Z
2016-04-28T22:42:52.517Z
Reed -SE is a Fish on Dry Land
<p>If using graphite make sure to spray a few coats of fixative over the graphite drawing prior to painting.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>What should I use instead?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>You could also try:</p>

<ul>
<li>charcoal</li>
<li>Water color pencils</li>
<li>diluted ink</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-27T00:04:37.977Z
2016-04-27T00:04:37.977Z
Tim Penner
<p>I was drawing onto my primed canvas in pencil, in preparation to paint over the top in oils, but a friend told me that I shouldn't do that, since over time the graphite will rise to the surface of the painting.</p>

<p>What should I use instead?</p>

<oil-paint><drawing>
What should I use to draw under oil paint?
Tom Medley
# What should I use to draw under oil paint?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-26)

I was drawing onto my primed canvas in pencil, in preparation to paint over the top in oils, but a friend told me that I shouldn't do that, since over time the graphite will rise to the surface of the painting.

What should I use instead?

**Tags:** oil-paint, drawing


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-04-27. Score: 9 | Accepted answer

If using graphite make sure to spray a few coats of fixative over the graphite drawing prior to painting.

> What should I use instead?

You could also try:

* charcoal
* Water color pencils
* diluted ink


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### Answer by username_1 on 2016-04-27. Score: 7

Well, you can use graphite or charcoal pencils for drawing on canvas, but they should be sealed with a fixative or a very thin layer of gesso before applying oil over top of them. That will prevent any bleed as a result of blending with the paints.

If you don't want to do that, then I would use paint, just very thin (thinned with thinner) and fine. Mind you, it's not the same feel as using a pencil, but then you also don't have the worry about layering on it.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2016-04-28. Score: 6

Traditionally a silver pen was used. see <http://www.naturalpigments.com/art-supply-education/silverpoint-technique-art/>

One of the modern alternatives is the use of fixative over a graphite drawing but it is a controversial method with no longevity evidence. Charcoal will muddy the paint even worse than graphite.

You can paint the drawing and underpaint with any water based medium, acrylic offers a good base paint for oils if you are using a gesso primed canvas.

Still the best way is to stay within the oil family and use a thin wash of oil paint or oil based pastels washed with a thinner.


---

