How to Preserve Soft Pastel Painting

Soft pastel paintings are known for their vibrant colors and ethereal quality. However, this delicate medium can be easily smudged or damaged if not properly preserved. Many artists struggle with finding the right techniques to protect their soft pastel creations from the elements and time itself.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, knowing how to preserve your soft pastel painting is essential for ensuring its longevity. There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing your hard work fade away or get ruined due to improper handling.

In this article, we’ll explore various tips and tricks on how to preserve soft pastel paintings. From framing to storage, we’ll cover everything you need to know in order to keep your artwork pristine for years to come. So, grab your favorite soft pastels and let’s get started!

Basic Steps for Preserving a Soft Pastel Painting

Soft pastel paintings are delicate and require special care to preserve their quality over time. Here are some basic steps to follow when preserving soft pastel artworks:

1. Handle with Care

When handling a soft pastel painting, it is essential to do so with clean hands and gloves to avoid smudging or transferring dirt onto the painting. Avoid touching the surface of the artwork as much as possible.

2. Protect from Light and Heat

Sunlight and heat can cause fading, discoloration, and even cracking of soft pastels. To protect your artwork from these harmful elements, keep it away from direct sunlight or any source of heat.

3. Frame with Acid-Free Materials

Framing a soft pastel painting is crucial for its longevity. Always use acid-free matting and backing materials to prevent damage from acidic substances that can lead to discoloration or staining over time.

4. Use UV-Protective Glass

UV-protective glass filters out harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause fading or damage to your artwork over time. This type of glass is highly recommended for all types of art preservation.

5. Consider Professional Conservation Treatment

If you have an old or damaged soft pastel painting, consider taking it to a professional conservator who specializes in art restoration and conservation.

Protecting a Soft Pastel Painting from Dust and Dirt Over Time

Dust and dirt are common enemies of soft pastels as they can easily stick to the surface, causing discoloration or smudging if not cleaned properly. Here are some tips on how to protect your artwork from dust and dirt over time:

1. Store in Protective Coverings

When not displaying your soft pastel painting, store it in a protective covering such as glassine paper or acid-free tissue paper. This will prevent dust and dirt from settling on the surface.

2. Use a Soft Brush to Clean

Use a soft-bristled brush to gently remove any dust or dirt that may have settled on the surface of your artwork. Be careful not to press too hard as this can cause smudging or damage to the delicate surface.

3. Avoid Using Water or Cleaning Solutions

Water or other cleaning solutions should never be used to clean a soft pastel painting as they can cause irreversible damage. Stick to using a soft brush only for cleaning purposes.

Ideal Materials for Framing a Soft Pastel Painting for Preservation

Choosing the right materials for framing your soft pastel painting is crucial when it comes to preserving its quality over time. Here are some ideal materials that you should consider when framing your artwork:

1. Acid-Free Matting and Backing Material

Acid-free matting and backing material are essential because acidic substances can cause discoloration, staining, and even deterioration of the artwork over time.

2. UV-Protective Glass

UV-protective glass filters out harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause fading or damage to your artwork over time.

3. Archival-Quality Mounting Tape

Archival-quality mounting tape is an excellent choice for mounting your artwork onto matting material because it is acid-free and will not damage the delicate surface of the painting.

4. Wooden Frames with Spacers

Wooden frames with spacers provide enough room between the artwork and glass, preventing any unwanted contact between them, which can cause smudging or damage.

Important Storage Conditions to Consider for Preserving a Soft Pastel Painting

Proper storage is essential when it comes to preserving soft pastel paintings. Here are some of the most important storage conditions you should consider:

1. Humidity Control

Maintaining a stable humidity level between 40% and 60% is crucial for the preservation of soft pastel artworks. High humidity can cause mold growth, while low humidity can cause the artwork to become brittle.

2. Temperature Control

A stable temperature between 60°F and 75°F is ideal for storing soft pastels. Fluctuations in temperature can cause cracking or warping of the artwork.

3. Keep Away from Direct Sunlight

Direct sunlight can cause fading and discoloration over time, so it’s essential to store your artwork away from any source of direct sunlight.

4. Store Flat or Upright with Support

Soft pastel paintings should be stored either flat or upright with support to prevent any bending or damage to the surface of the artwork.

Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for Longevity of Soft Pastel Paintings

Routine cleaning and maintenance are essential for preserving the quality of your soft pastel paintings over time. Here are some tips on how to clean and maintain your artworks:

1. Handle with Care

Always handle your soft pastel painting with clean hands or gloves to avoid smudging or transferring dirt onto the surface.

2. Use a Brush for Cleaning

Use a soft-bristled brush to gently remove any dust or dirt that may have settled on the surface of your artwork.

3. Avoid Using Water or Cleaning Solutions

Water or other cleaning solutions should never be used to clean a soft pastel painting as they can cause irreversible damage. Stick to using a soft brush only for cleaning purposes.

4. Store Properly

Store your artwork in a protective covering such as glassine paper or acid-free tissue paper when not displaying it to prevent dust and dirt from settling on the surface.

Using Fixatives and Sprays to Preserve Soft Pastel Paintings: What to Use?

Fixatives and sprays are often used to preserve soft pastel paintings by preventing smudging or transfer of color. Here are some of the most commonly used fixatives and sprays:

1. Workable Fixative

Workable fixative is ideal for artists who want to continue working on their artwork after applying the fixative. It provides temporary protection while allowing additional layers of pastels to be added.

2. Final Fixative

Final fixative is more permanent than workable fixative and provides long-term protection against smudging, fading, and deterioration of the artwork over time.

3. UV-Protective Spray

UV-protective spray filters out harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause fading or damage to your artwork over time.

4. Retouch Varnish

Retouch varnish is applied in thin layers between final layers of pastels, providing additional protection against smudging while maintaining the integrity of the colors.

Common Mistakes in Preserving Soft Pastel Paintings and How to Avoid Them

Preserving soft pastel paintings requires special care, and there are several common mistakes people make that can lead to damage or deterioration over time. Here are some common mistakes you should avoid:

1. Touching the Surface with Bare Hands

Touching the surface of a soft pastel painting with bare hands can cause smudging or transfer of dirt onto the artwork. Always use gloves or handle with care.

2. Using Acidic Materials for Framing

Acidic materials such as regular cardboard, newspaper, or low-quality matting can cause discoloration and deterioration over time. Always use acid-free materials for framing.

3. Storing in Direct Sunlight

Direct sunlight can cause fading and discoloration over time, so it’s essential to store your artwork away from any source of direct sunlight.

4. Using Water or Cleaning Solutions for Cleaning

Water or other cleaning solutions should never be used to clean a soft pastel painting as they can cause irreversible damage. Stick to using a soft brush only for cleaning purposes.

Special Considerations and Techniques for Preserving Large or Oversized Soft Pastel Paintings

Preserving large or oversized soft pastel paintings requires special considerations due to their size and weight. Here are some techniques you should consider:

1. Reinforcing the Backing Material

Reinforcing the backing material with additional support such as foam board or plywood will provide extra stability and prevent bending or warping of the artwork.

2. Professional Installation

Large or oversized soft pastel paintings require professional installation to ensure they are hung securely without causing damage to the artwork.

3. Proper Storage Space

Ensure that you have enough storage space available that is suitable for storing large artworks such as closets, cabinets, or basements.

4. Handle with Care during Transport

Transporting large artworks requires careful handling to avoid damage during transportation. Always use proper packing materials such as bubble wrap and protective coverings, and consider hiring professional art movers for larger pieces.

In conclusion, preserving soft pastel paintings requires careful handling, proper framing, and storage. Following these steps will help to ensure that your artwork remains vibrant and beautiful for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Preserve Soft Pastel Painting

How long do soft pastel paintings last?
With proper maintenance and care, a painting can last for generations. Pastel is one of the most durable mediums of art that can maintain its vibrancy for centuries. Many pastel paintings from more than two centuries ago remain in excellent condition today. The pigments used in my pastels are similar to the ones used in high-quality oil paints.

Do you need to seal soft pastels?
Before framing a pastel artwork, some artists and framers use a spray that fixes the artwork in place to prevent dust from accumulating on the mat and glass. However, some artists opt to use a mat to keep the pastel off the glass, as long as the artwork remains in the same frame to preserve it. This is a common practice in the art world.

Can you put varnish over soft pastel?
Oil pastels are created using non-drying oils and wax, which allows for indefinite workability but presents a challenge for varnishing as subsequent coatings do not permanently adhere to the pastels.

Can I use hairspray as a fixative for soft pastels?
The study found that the tested hairsprays may be good for preserving pastel art since they do not have negative effects when compared to commercial fixatives and can prevent fading of pigments and colored papers when exposed to light.

What is the binder for soft pastels?
Pastels are typically made in stick form, resembling chalk, with a composition of powdered pigment and a binding agent like gum arabic, gum tragacanth, or methyl cellulose.

What are the disadvantages of pastel painting?
Working with pastel art can be messy and prone to accidental smudging on your hands, clothes, and work area. Additionally, using fixative spray can alter the color, so it is best to use it sparingly or not at all.