How to Store Pastel Paintings

Do you have a collection of beautiful pastel paintings that you want to keep safe and in good condition for years to come? Do you worry about how to store them properly so they don’t get damaged or lose their vibrancy over time? As an art lover and collector, I know the importance of preserving these delicate works of art, which is why I’ve done extensive research on how to store pastel paintings.

Storing pastel paintings can be tricky. The chalky texture of the medium makes it susceptible to smudging and fading if not stored properly. Moreover, pastels are extremely fragile and can easily break or crumble if mishandled. These factors make it essential to take proper care when storing your precious pastel paintings. In this article, I will share my expertise on how to store pastel paintings, providing you with tips and tricks that will help ensure your artwork stays in pristine condition for years to come.

Best Storage Options for Pastel Paintings

Pastel paintings are highly delicate and require special care to ensure their longevity. Storing them properly is crucial to prevent any damage or deterioration. Here are some of the best storage options for pastel paintings:

Framing

Framing your pastel painting is one of the best ways to protect it from any external damage or wear and tear. It not only enhances the look of your artwork but also provides a protective buffer against dust, moisture, and other harmful elements.

When framing your pastel painting, make sure that you use acid-free matting and UV-protective glass. This will prevent discoloration and fading caused by exposure to light over time.

Portfolio Case

A portfolio case is another great option for storing your pastel paintings. These cases come in various sizes and materials like leather, vinyl, or nylon.

Portfolio cases provide a safe and secure way to store multiple paintings at once. They offer protection against dust, moisture, humidity, and other environmental factors that can cause damage to your artwork.

Flat File Cabinet

If you have a large collection of pastel paintings that you need to store for an extended period, investing in a flat file cabinet is an excellent option.

Flat file cabinets are specially designed for storing artwork safely. They come with multiple drawers that provide ample space to store multiple artworks at once. The drawers are usually made of acid-free materials like metal or wood that protect your paintings from environmental factors like light, dust, moisture, etc.

Preparing Your Pastel Paintings for Storage: Tips and Tricks

Before storing your pastel painting, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to ensure its longevity. Here are some tips and tricks on how to prepare your pastel painting for storage:

Clean Your Painting

Before storing your pastel painting, make sure you clean it thoroughly to remove any dirt, dust, or debris that may have accumulated on the surface. You can use a soft brush or compressed air to clean your painting gently.

Use Acid-Free Paper

Using acid-free paper is crucial when storing pastel paintings. Acidic paper can cause damage to the artwork over time, leading to discoloration and fading of colors. Acid-free paper provides a protective barrier against environmental factors like moisture, light, and dust.

Store Your Painting Flat

The best way to store your pastel painting is by laying it flat on a supportive surface like foam board or corrugated cardboard. Avoid stacking multiple paintings on top of each other as this could cause damage to the artwork.

Can You Store Pastel Paintings in a Regular Cardboard Box?

Storing your pastel paintings in regular cardboard boxes is not recommended. Cardboard boxes are not designed for long-term storage of artworks and do not provide adequate protection against environmental factors like light, humidity, and dust.

Cardboard boxes are also prone to damage from pests like insects and rodents that can chew through the material and cause irreparable damage to your artwork.

To ensure the longevity of your pastel paintings, invest in proper storage options like portfolio cases, flat file cabinets or frames that offer ample protection against external factors that could damage your artwork over time.

Ideal Temperature and Humidity Levels for Storing Pastel Paintings

Maintaining the ideal temperature and humidity levels is crucial when storing pastel paintings. Extreme temperatures and humidity levels can cause significant damage to artworks over time. The ideal temperature for storing pastel paintings is between 60°F-75°F (16°C-24°C), with relative humidity levels between 40%-50%.

Exposure to high levels of humidity can cause the paper to warp, while low humidity can cause the paper to become brittle and prone to cracking. Extreme temperatures can cause the colors in your pastel painting to fade or become discolored.

It’s important to monitor the temperature and humidity levels regularly, especially if you live in an area with fluctuating weather conditions. Investing in a hygrometer or temperature gauge is an excellent way to keep track of the environment that your paintings are stored in.

Should You Wrap Your Pastel Paintings in Acid-Free Paper Before Storage?

Wrapping your pastel paintings in acid-free paper before storage is highly recommended. Acid-free paper provides a protective barrier against environmental factors like light, dust, and moisture that could damage your artwork over time.

When wrapping your pastel painting, make sure you use acid-free materials like glassine paper or archival tissue paper. Avoid using plastic wraps as they can trap moisture and cause irreparable damage to your artwork.

Wrap the painting loosely to avoid applying pressure on the surface of the artwork. This will prevent smudging or any other damage caused by friction during storage.

Stacking Multiple Pastel Paintings: Is it Safe During Storage?

Stacking multiple pastel paintings on top of each other is not safe during storage. It could lead to significant damage to your artwork over time as it increases pressure on each painting, causing them to rub against each other.

Rubbing can result in smudging or even complete destruction of parts of the painting. If you need to store multiple artworks together, invest in proper storage options like portfolio cases or flat file cabinets that provide ample space for storing multiple paintings safely.

How Often Should You Inspect Stored Pastel Paintings for Damage or Deterioration?

Inspecting stored pastel paintings regularly is crucial to identify any signs of damage or deterioration. It’s recommended that you inspect your artwork at least once a year to ensure its longevity.

During inspection, look for signs of discoloration, fading, warping, or any other physical damage caused by environmental factors like light, humidity, and dust. If you notice any signs of damage, take action immediately to prevent further deterioration.

Mistakes to Avoid When Storing Your Precious Pastel Paintings

When storing your precious pastel paintings, there are some mistakes you need to avoid to ensure their longevity. Here are some common mistakes people make when storing pastel paintings:

• Using regular cardboard boxes for storage
• Stacking multiple paintings on top of each other
• Storing paintings in areas with fluctuating temperature and humidity levels
• Wrapping paintings too tightly or using plastic wraps
• Not inspecting stored paintings regularly for signs of damage or deterioration

Avoiding these mistakes will help protect your artwork from external factors that could cause damage over time. By investing in proper storage options and following the tips and tricks mentioned above, you can ensure the longevity of your precious pastel paintings for years to come.

Proper storage of pastel paintings is crucial to maintain their quality and prevent damage. By following simple steps such as using acid-free paper, framing with UV-resistant glass, and storing in a cool, dry place, you can ensure that your pastel paintings remain vibrant for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Store Pastel Paintings

How do you preserve a pastel painting?
At 0:05 to 3:05 in the video, take a piece of material and place it onto the foam board. Then, use scrapbooking tape to secure each of the corners.

How long do pastel paintings last?
With proper maintenance, your painting can remain in excellent condition for generations to come. Pastels are among the most long-lasting forms of art, with many pastels created more than 200 years ago retaining their original brightness and freshness.

What are the disadvantages of pastel painting?
Creating pastel art can result in unintentional smudging and messiness on your hands, clothes, and workspace. Fixing pastel art with a spray can cause the colors to appear dull and dark, so it is recommended to use fixative spray sparingly or not at all.

Can you seal a pastel painting?
Oil pastels can easily be smudged or affected by solvents. However, it is possible to create a protective seal or coating similar to a fixative.

How do you protect pastel drawings without fixative?
When working on colored surfaces, the colors tend to fade, including the lights. Therefore, I prefer to use a different approach when working on a great piece of artwork.

What is the best way to frame a pastel painting?
To protect the artwork from getting smudged and to prevent damage in case of a broken glass, it is important to ensure that the pastel does not touch the glass. A spacer or mat can be used to create a gap of at least .125 inches between the artwork and the inner side of the glass pane.