How You Properly Frame & Store Pastels . . . by Anna Meenaghan
How can I go about this Well you may ask I can tell you this may not be very easy to achieve. Pastels are smudgy paints You will find they pick up dirt specks the paints are actually quite fragile.
Therefore it quite hard to protect your work. Pastels can be harmful in fact as the pigment in them is quite loose. You need to be careful not to inhale form specks of these dust pigments.
Some people do use a daily newspaper to store their work but with this you stand the risk of spoiling your work with the newsprint or acidity of the paper. Another way out of this would be to use a tissue paper that is acid free.
Now you can obtain boards which are acid free so if you intend to try store your picture for a long time then I would attach it to a board using masking tape cover it with tracing paper or even greaseproof paper or tissue. Just remember to strap it down with a tape of some sort.
You may decide to make changes to your work at the framing stage. A picture sometimes may take on an improved look by having second thoughts eliminating some part of the painting.
Most artists you will find probably have a frame of card to put over their work at different angles decide what they think is best. Does the painting look better with less at the sides for instance You have to make a considered choice.
Pastel does not work next to glass. If you do this you will have both condensation find dark spots or patches on your work. to remedy this for framing your painting would need a mat of cardboard on top to separate it form glass.
If you frame it with the mat no problems should occur in the years to come even without fixing it. This does not mean that you cannot fix it Spray it with an aerosol by all means but be careful not to inhale some of the strong fumes.
Fumes can be very dangerous to your health so really if possible it better to spray outside depending on the weather of course. Not that I always do to my shame Please if you spray inside at least open all the windows.
What you really need to do is to buy a plastic mask which will cover your nose your mouth for this. Particularly if you suffer from allergies as pastels collect dust are also quite messy.
After all you are likely to get a stuffy blocked up nose if you room has very little air. This is just a little bit of advice but an important one. Be aware of your hands pastels are messy so give them a good wash when you take your breaks.
The author of this article artist Anna Meenaghan creates all types of canvas art with abstract paintings being by far her most favourite genre of art. For more guides about art you are welcome to visit her online art gallery where artists art lovers now have a modern interactive meeting place. How You Properly Frame & Store Pastels . . .
