FAQs

What are Pastels Made of?

Pastels are made from dry artist pigments, the same dry pigments that are the basis of oil, acrylic, watercolor and other mediums.

What are pigments made of?

Some pigments are "earth pigments" contained in nature. They are essentially purified dirt or minerals. Others are synthetic and are made by combining chemicals in the laboratory.

What Is the difference between Chalk and Pastel?

Chalk is a term used by many people as a synonym for pastel. Chalks contain a great deal of binders, fillers and little pure pigment. Blackboard chalk is a good example. Chalks tend to be brittle and hard. Pastels are made from a high percentage of pigment and a small amount of binder. Artists pigments are expensive so a quality pastel is of a much higher expense and quality.

Are pastels permanent like oil paintings?

Pastels done with permanent pigments on an archival surface are very permanent. Since there are no complex chemical considerations in the drying of the paint film, pastels are actually MORE permanent than many oil paintings. Pastels are traditionally framed behind glass which protects them the dirt and pollution that attack an unglazed oil painting.

Will pastels fade if I have them in the sun?

No painting should be displayed where it will be in direct sun day after day. Pastels painted with permanent pigments will not fade under normal conditions. Day after day of bright sun over a long period could case damage from fading. Pastels should not be displayed in very damp conditions which could cause mildew to form.

How Long Did It take to do that painting?

Artists hate this question as they think people are wanting to tabulate a figure of how much money per hour the artist is making... like their plumber. I have learned that people just don't understand art and want to know more about the process. Pastel is a fast medium compared to others. Some paintings can be done in a couple of hours while others require a tighter approach and can take much longer. I generally slow down as the painting nears the final stages. Some artists are faster workers than others. What is really important is how well the artist designed and completed the painting... and not how long it took!

How do you know when a painting is finished?

This is one of the trickiest issues a painter faces. A painting is never really done but at some point the artist makes a decision to stop working. I feel that if I am not sure I am adding to the effectiveness of the painting, it might be a good time to stop. Pastel can be easily overworked and can lose its freshness and appeal. As the painting process continues, each stroke takes on more importance. One errant stroke can ruin a good painting in the final stages. I also favor a looser look than some painters so I would rather quit early than too late!

Do you spray your paintings with fixative before framing?

No. Fixative is a weak varnish that changes the values and structural quality of pastel. I feel it ruins a pastel painting and should be avoided. A good sanded surface will bond pastel more tightly and there will be less dusting. Fixatives contain dangerous chemicals like toluene that should not be breathed in, especially in an enclosed area. Good painting and framing practices with pastel eliminate the need for fixative in my opinion.

Are pastel pigments toxic and dangerous?

Much attention has been given in recent years to the toxicity question of cadmium pigments and other metals. Cadmium pigments have been used in artist palettes for many years. I have spoken to a number of experts and chemists over the years who think the concentration is so small in pastel as not to be of concern. However, this is not the only view. I am not in favor of doing things that would be harmful to my body and think ordinary care would be sufficient to minimize this problem. Wash you hands frequently or use a "barrier cream" to protect your skin. Surgical gloves could be worn if your skin is extra sensitive, although I find them to be difficult to use. Do not "blow off" the excess dust on your paintings as this puts more dust into your lungs. If you have allergy problems you might consider a HEPA filter which removes much dust particles from your studio space.