- Store unframed pastel paintings vertically, with the painted surface facing inward.
- Use acid-free and archival quality materials to protect the artwork from damage caused by humidity, light, and dust.
- Place a sheet of glassine or acid-free tissue paper between each painting to prevent smudging or transfer of pigment.
- Avoid stacking or leaning the paintings against each other as it may cause pressure marks or deformation on the surface.
- Store the paintings in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture.
- If possible, store the paintings in individual protective sleeves made of acid-free polypropylene or polyester material.
Do you have a collection of beautiful unframed pastel paintings that you want to store safely? Well, you’re not alone! Many people face the challenge of preserving their delicate pastel artwork without damaging them. The fragile nature of pastel paintings makes it difficult to store them without causing damage or creating smudging and abrasions.
Of course, you don’t want to ruin your precious creations that may have taken hours or even days to complete. But, what’s the best way to store these artworks without compromising their quality? That’s where we come in! In this article, we’ll guide you through some practical tips on how to store unframed pastel paintings effectively. Whether you’re an artist or an art collector, our tips will help you keep your artwork in pristine condition for years to come. Keep reading to learn more!
How to Store Unframed Pastel Paintings – The Quick Answer:
When storing unframed pastel paintings, it’s important to use materials that preserve their quality. Archival boxes made of acid-free and lignin-free material, acid-free paper, and glassine sheets are ideal choices. Before storage, clean your hands or use gloves to handle the artwork to prevent damage from oils and dirt. Avoid plastic bags or sleeves as they emit harmful gases.
Best Materials for Storing Unframed Pastel Paintings
Storing unframed pastel paintings can be a challenging task, especially if you want to preserve them in their original condition. The materials used for storing these delicate artworks play a significant role in maintaining their quality. Here are some of the best materials that you can use:
1. Archival boxes
Archival boxes are made of acid-free and lignin-free material, which makes them an ideal choice for storing unframed pastel paintings. These boxes come in various sizes and shapes, so you can choose the one that suits your needs. They also provide protection from light and dust, which can damage the artwork.
2. Acid-free paper
Acid-free paper is another excellent material for storing unframed pastel paintings. It prevents the artwork from coming into direct contact with any harmful substances that might affect its quality over time. When using acid-free paper, ensure that it does not contain any coatings or finishes that could damage the painting.
3. Glassine sheets
Glassine sheets are perfect for interleaving between the pastel paintings during storage as they prevent smudging and sticking together of the artworks as well as protect them from dust, dirt or moisture in the environment.
Note:
Avoid using plastic bags or sleeves to store unframed pastel paintings as plastic emits gases that can cause damage to fragile pigments over time.
Preparing Unframed Pastel Paintings for Storage: Tips and Tricks
Before storing your unframed pastel paintings, it’s essential to prepare them adequately to prevent any damage or deterioration while in storage. Here are some tips and tricks on how to prepare your artwork:
1. Clean your hands
Ensure that your hands are clean and dry before handling the artwork. Oils and dirt from your fingers can transfer onto the painting, causing damage over time.
2. Use gloves
Alternatively, use gloves to handle the artwork; this will prevent any contamination or damage by the oils on your skin.
3. Protect the corners
Use corner protectors to ensure that the corners of the painting do not get damaged during storage or transport. You can make your corner protectors using foam or cardboard.
4. Label your artwork
Label each artwork with its title, date, artist’s name, and any other relevant information. This helps you keep track of each piece while in storage.
5. Wrap it up
Wrap each painting individually in acid-free paper or glassine sheets before placing them inside an archival box for storage.
Vertical or Horizontal: How to Store Unframed Pastel Paintings
When it comes to storing unframed pastel paintings, there is no definitive answer on whether they should be stored vertically or horizontally; both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.
Storing vertically:
Storing unframed pastel paintings vertically is a great option if you have limited storage space as it takes up less space than horizontal storage. It also reduces the likelihood of dust settling on the surface of the painting since gravity pulls it down towards the bottom edge rather than settling on top of it.
However, storing paintings vertically can cause pigments to settle unevenly over time, leading to color changes or fading. To minimize this risk, rotate your artworks regularly (once every six months) by moving them from vertical to horizontal positions for several weeks at a time.
Storing horizontally:
Horizontal storage provides even support for all parts of the painting, reducing stress on the artwork’s edges. It also prevents any pigment from settling in one area and causing discoloration.
However, horizontal storage requires more space than vertical storage and increases the likelihood of dust settling on the surface of the painting. To avoid this, cover each artwork with acid-free paper or glassine sheets.
Protecting Unframed Pastel Paintings from Light and Humidity During Storage
Light and humidity are two environmental factors that can significantly affect unframed pastel paintings’ quality during storage. Here’s how to protect your artwork from these elements:
1. Keep away from direct sunlight
Direct sunlight can cause fading or discoloration of pastels over time, so it is essential to keep them away from direct sunlight. Store your unframed pastel paintings in a cool, dark place to minimize exposure to UV light.
2. Control humidity levels
High humidity levels can cause mold growth and warping of paper supports, while low humidity levels can lead to cracking or flaking of pigments. Store your artworks in a space with stable humidity levels between 40% and 60% using dehumidifiers if necessary.
3. Use UV protective film
If you must store your artworks in a sunny room, consider using UV protective film on windows or doors to reduce exposure to harmful UV light.
Using Acid-Free Paper to Separate Unframed Pastel Paintings During Storage
Acid-free paper is an excellent material for separating unframed pastel paintings during storage as it prevents smudging or sticking together of pigments when stacked on top of each other. Here’s how to use it:
1. Cut acid-free paper into squares
Cut the acid-free paper into squares slightly larger than the painting’s dimensions. This provides enough space to wrap the artwork without smudging or damaging the edges.
2. Wrap each painting individually
Wrap each painting individually in acid-free paper and label each one with its title, date, artist’s name, and any other relevant information.
3. Separate paintings with acid-free paper sheets
After wrapping each painting, place an additional sheet of acid-free paper between each of them to prevent pigments from sticking together when stacked on top of each other.
How Often Should You Check on Stored Unframed Pastel Paintings?
Checking on your stored unframed pastel paintings is crucial to ensure that they remain in their original condition over time. Here’s how often you should check on them:
1. Check every six months
It is recommended that you check your stored unframed pastel paintings every six months to ensure that there are no signs of damage or deterioration.
Note:
If you live in a high humidity environment, you may need to check your artwork more frequently to prevent mold growth and warping of paper supports.
Special Considerations for Storing Large or Oversized Unframed Pastel Paintings
Storing large or oversized unframed pastel paintings requires special considerations due to their size and weight. Here are some tips for storing these artworks:
1. Use sturdy supports
Use sturdy supports such as foam board or corrugated cardboard to prevent bending or warping of the artwork during storage.
2. Wrap in acid-free paper
Wrap the artwork in acid-free paper before placing it inside an archival box for extra protection against dust, dirt, and moisture.
3. Store horizontally
Store the artwork horizontally to distribute weight evenly across the surface of the painting and prevent any stress on its edges.
The Recommended Temperature Range for Storing Unframed Pastel Paintings
The recommended temperature range for storing unframed pastel paintings is between 50°F and 70°F. Here’s why:
1. Avoid high temperatures
High temperatures can cause pigments to melt or soften, leading to color changes or bleeding of pigments.
2. Keep away from cold temperatures
Cold temperatures can cause paper supports to become brittle, leading to cracking or flaking of pigments over time.
3. Maintain a stable temperature range
Maintain a stable temperature range in your storage area using air conditioning or heating systems if necessary. Fluctuations in temperature can cause stress on the artwork and lead to damage over time.
In conclusion, properly storing unframed pastel paintings involves protecting them from moisture, dust, and direct sunlight. Using acid-free materials and keeping them in a cool and dry place will help preserve their quality and longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Store Unframed Pastel Paintings
How long do pastel paintings last?
With proper maintenance, your painting can last for generations. Pastel art is known for its longevity and durability, with some pieces created over 200 years ago still retaining their original vibrancy and freshness.
What is the weakness of pastel painting?
Working with pastel art can be a messy experience, as the medium can easily smudge and transfer onto your hands, clothing, and workspace. Using a fixative spray to try and prevent smudging can often result in a loss of color vibrancy and should be used sparingly or not at all.
Can you seal a pastel painting?
Oil pastels are easily affected by solvents and smudging, which is why it is important to create a seal or coating similar to a fixative to protect the artwork.
Do you have to seal pastel drawings?
Prior to framing a pastel artwork, some artists and framing professionals may apply a fixative spray to prevent dust from accumulating on the glass and mat. Alternatively, some artists may choose to mat the painting in order to protect it from coming in contact with the glass, ensuring that the artwork remains in good condition as long as it is not transferred to a different frame.
What can you use to seal soft pastels?
To stabilize and protect pastel artwork from dust, fixative is sprayed onto it. Various fast-drying liquids, such as alcohol, casein, and resin, are used as a base for fixative.
Do pastel paintings need to be under glass?
An unframed pastel painting is delicate and easily damaged, similar to wet paint. Touching it can cause the paint to come off and smudge the artwork. Therefore, it is crucial to frame a pastel painting or drawing behind glass as soon as possible to ensure its protection.
