SCARING FOR YOUR PASTEL ARTWORK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOUR ARTWORK.

 Your new pastel artwork is a hand-painted work of fine art. I use the best archival materials for its creation. Pastels are surprisingly durable so don't be afraid to purchase one. They will last every bit as long as an oil painting. If you have any other questions or concerns please send me a message.

WHAT ARE PASTELS?    Pastel is one of the most permanent art mediums in existence. Many pastels painted over 200 years ago are still as bright and fresh as the day they were created.  They are actually superior to oils in that they will not crack or darken over time and every bit as permanent. The pastels of Degas and Cassat were created back in the 1800's and still just as beautiful as the day they were completed.  

 

CARING FOR YOUR PASTEL ARTWORK.

Please do not touch the surface of your new pastel artwork. Your pastel painting may shed a few particles of pigment when new. This is normal and will not damage the image. The surface will become more solid with time and shedding will stop.  Please do not attempt to rub or brush away fallen particles, as you may mark the surface of your pastel. Lightly shake them off and store your unframed pastel flat until you take it to your framer

​Keep the work away from moisture. Do not store it in a moist humid place. Moisture can damage the work and encourage mold growth on some types of art. Don't hang an original work of art in a bathroom!

I protect my original artworks with a sheet of glassine as a protective covering. Leave it in flat dry place until you are ready to frame it.

Never place anything on top of your painting. This can damage a pastel by smearing or leaving an unwanted impression on the surface of the work.

​

FRAMING YOUR ARTWORK.

Professional framing is ALWAYS recommended.

Choose a framer who is experienced in working with fine art pastels. A framer who works mostly with posters and printed reproductions or oil paintings may not realize that pastels take special handling. Do not risk the welfare of your pastel in the hands of an inexperienced framer.

If you absolutely can't afford a professional framer here are some tips for framing it yourself.

  • Get a frame deep enough to hold the glazing (glass) a mat board, spacers the work and a backing board. Frames made for oil paintings work pretty well.

  • The pastel should never touch the glass in a frame. Use an acid free mat to prevent this from happening.

  • Do not spray any sort of fixative or coating on your pastel in the framing process or allow your framer to do so. Fixing may change the colors in your pastel,

  • Use a thin spacer between the mat board and the art. These can be thin strips of acid free foamcore, mat-board or small rubber spacers made for pastel framing.

  • Use UV blocking museum quality glass or glare free glass if possible.

  • NEVER use acrylic sheets or plexiglass for your pastels. These can create an electrical charge that will pull tiny dust particles from the surface of your pastel and cause them to stick to the acrylic or plexiglass causing a dirty haze. 

 

​​