Information about "The Beauty of Pastel" and notes on framing.

The Beauty of Pastel

(information found on-line on William Hosner site)

"Pastel is pure pigment, the same pigment used in all media. It is the most permanent of all when applied to conservation ground and properly framed. Pastel has no liquid binder that may cause the surface to darken, fade, yellow, crack, or blister with time. Pastels from the 16th century exist today, as fresh as the day they were painted. Pastel does not at all refer to pale colors, as the word is commonly used in the cosmetic and fashion terminology. The name Pastel comes from the French word "pastiche" because the pure, powdered pigment is ground into a paste with a binder and then rolled into sticks. The infinite variety of colors in the Pastel palette range from soft and subtle to hard and brilliant."

Most of my pastel paintings are done on "wallis" museum grade paper, which has a rich surface that "grabs" the pastel.  The frames I use are typically plein air frames from JFM Enterprises or kingofframe.com.  I use quality, less reflective "tru vue" glass, which has some UV protection.  Unless a light is shining right on the glass, there really is hardly any reflection at all.  I have successfully mailed many paintings framed in this manner.