How To Care For Original Soft Pastel PaintingsWhen it comes to pastel artwork, it is essential to take extra care. You should take extra care to handle the artwork and frame it properly. This article will give tips on properly caring for your pastel artwork. Also, you should know how to frame and mat your painting, as well as how to find a good framer.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
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What Are Pastels
Soft pastels are a painting medium made from finely ground pigment mixed with a binder. The pigments used are the same as those used in oil paints; however, soft pastels have less binder, resulting in a dryer medium. Because soft pastels are dry, they can be easily blended and layered to create a wide range of colors and effects. They are also versatile; soft pastels can be used on various surfaces, including paper, board, and glass.
How To Store Unframed Pastel Paintings
Pastel paintings are a beautiful and delicate medium, but they require special care when storing. Unframed pastel paintings should be wrapped in acid-free glassine paper and placed in a sturdy cardboard box.
The box should be labeled with the artist’s name, the title of the painting, and the date it was created. If you are stacking multiple unframed paintings, place each one in its own individual acid-free sleeve before placing it in the box.
Once the paintings are safely stored away, keep them in a cool, dry place where they will not be exposed to direct sunlight or extreme temperature changes.
How To Mat And Frame Pastel Paintings
If you’re framing your fine art, you might wonder how to mat and frame it.
Here are some tips to make this process go as smoothly as possible.
First, check for stray pastel particles that might fall onto the mat. If pastel dust falls on the mat, use a kneadable eraser to remove the dust. Then, return the painting to the frame only when it is dust-free.
When matting and framing your pastel paintings, choose a neutral frame. A white frame can dilute the pastel colors and make them appear duller.
Using a spacer between the art and the museum glass is essential. You may want to use the same spacers as for your framed paintings. Ensure you’re not placing them in direct sunlight since this will cause the pigments to fade.
Another thing to remember is how to mount the soft pastel painting. If it’s a large piece, choose a deep frame. Alternatively, if you have a small one, consider a sink mount. Sink mounts can look great with pastel paintings. Regardless of how you mount your painting, you’ll want to ensure it looks its best. Then, you can use spacers to keep it in place.
Finding A Good Framer
You should keep a few tips in mind if you’re thinking about framing your original soft pastel paintings. First, find a framer that is experienced with framing pastel paintings. A seasoned framer will know how to frame pastel paintings and will do so with a high degree of accuracy. After you have selected your framer, contact them to discuss the framing process and get a quote.
When choosing a frame, always look for a professional. This way, you’re sure that the framer understands the particular framing requirements for pastel artwork. First of all, pastel art should be protected by glass. Acrylic and Plexiglas can build a static charge when cleaned, causing a fine mist of dust to appear inside the frame. You’ll also want to look for a framer who uses spacers between the pastel painting and glass. These spacers can be foam core or strips.
Before deciding on a framing company, research whether they use archival framing materials, quality framing materials include archival materials like an archival backing board, mat, tape, and preferred museum glass.
Where To Hang Paster Paintings
Pastel paintings are delicate and require a bit of extra care when it comes to hanging and displaying them. The best places to hang a pastel painting are out of direct sunlight and away from any heat sources. Sunlight can cause the colors to fade over time, so it’s best to avoid hanging pastel paintings in direct sunlight.
If you can’t avoid it, hang the painting in a shady spot or place it behind a UV-resistant glass frame.
Heat can also cause pastel paints to fade and/or smear, so avoid hanging them near heat sources such as fireplaces or radiators. When it comes time to hang the painting, use Picture Hanging strips or another type of damage-free hanger.
This will help to avoid putting any holes in the painting itself.
Never Touch The Painting Service
Pastel paintings are delicate works of art. The pigments are held together with a minimal amount of binder, and the resulting painting surface is soft and powdery. Because of this, pastel paintings are susceptible to damage from fingerprints and other smudges.
Even the simple act of touching the surface of a pastel painting can leave behind oils and dirt that can alter the appearance of the pigments. For this reason, art collectors must take care when handling pastel paintings.
If possible, they should avoid touching the surface altogether. They should do so gently and with clean hands if they must touch the painting.
How Long Do Pastel Paintings Last
Depending on the soft pastel used for the painting, original soft pastel paintings can last for many years.
It is advisable to frame pastels behind glass to protect them from dust. This will help retain their vibrant colors and luminous finish.
Although pastels are not toxic, keeping them out of direct sunlight or hot environments is essential as these can cause them to harden and lose their colors.
When it comes to framing pastels, make sure you use archival-quality materials. You should always use museum-quality mats and backing boards. Avoid cheap mat boards as they will yellow and stain pastel paintings over time.
Ensure you keep your pastel paintings out of direct sunlight or moisture to avoid dust accumulation.
How To Keep Pastels From Fading
Protect your soft pastel paintings by framing them with museum-quality glass to prevent fading. If possible, choose a deep, wide frame to prevent air-moving particles from causing the artwork to lose its color.
When framing, it is best to avoid using acrylic or Plexiglas as these surfaces can attract dust and build a static charge, damaging the painting. You should also place spacers between the glass and the painting. You can use strips or foam core.
When storing your original artwork, keep it away from direct sunlight. Never hang your original artwork upside down or face down.
You should also avoid using harsh cleaning agents on the surface of your work. Instead, try cleaning the artwork with baking soda or distilled white vinegar, which are safe for delicate art materials.
Conclusion
Original soft pastel paintings are delicate works that require extra care to protect them from the elements and preserve their colors.
This article covers everything you need to know about caring for your original soft pastel paintings to last for years or even decades. Pastels are one of the few permanent art mediums that could last hundreds of years if properly cared for.
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