I have this debate with myself on the regular and here are my current thoughts:

​Lightfastness is important in works that will get sold or be shown.

Lightfastness is unimportant (to me) in my art journal and sketchbook.

​There are no absolutes when it comes to lightfastness and materials. Even professional paints have fugitive pigments. Neon colors, shades of pink and purple and other colors fade and shift. Some fade and shift even under protective UV glass. Some will fade and shift even in a closed sketchbook or journal.

I’m looking at you blue Parker Quink ink.

Does it matter?

The answer that is unsatisfying but true is always, it depends. For me I don’t care so much if the colors in my sketchbook and journal fade or change. If I make a piece of art to sell I want it to look at good as it can for as long as possible for the people who buy it, so I strive to use lightfast pigments. That said, I also find myself using a wide variety of colors in my art these days and finding myself drawn toward bright colors and toward my own handmade and foraged colors.

Part of the “it depends” philosophy is that this can be totally different for every artist and art journaler. If you want to use only lightfast pigments and materials in your art journal that is fine. If you want to use only fugitive pigments that is also fine. Every person has to decide what works and does not work for themselves.