Hi! shellrose: Bloom! For Colored Pencils, is when the wax used to stablize the pigment comes to the surface of your work. Bloom! can be seen in works that are usually done on rough surface. Heavy watercolor papers or papers with a dimple feel. While building the surface of the work, layer after layer of colored pencil, the wax will come to the top of your work. The surface appears to have had a layer of light white transparency put on it.
Most of the artist I know, while building up layers of color usually have tissues that contain no extra soothing oils, these are used to softly rub the top of the colored pencils work, removing the bloom.
I have never really had this happen to my work. One artist that I know, has this problem all the time. Her work sells for nice $$$$. So, why worry!
I would only use a workable sealer on colored pencils, I believe Prismacolor now offers a sealer that has their colored pencil logo. I have not yet seen this in the stores. Would probably be the best.
If using a sealer never!!!!! get to close to the artwork!!! Less is best and light coats done twice keeps the TEARS away! ( loss of work do to over spray).
Sherrie
