Before Framing Your PastelAvoid touching the surface of a pastel, this will damage the artwork. If your artwork was painted or drawn using soft pastels (the most common form of pastel), the artwork can be readily smudged or blended if you touch the surface. Finished artwork requires protection, either by framing under glass or the use of a fixative spray.
Transporting Your PastelBefore your pastel is framed, use glassine or wax paper to transport or store the artwork. Wrap the artwork with the paper and affix to the back specifically using artist or drafting tape so that it will not be permanently stuck. This keeps the glassine from sliding around and will keep any loose particles from moving around.
It's even better if you can lift the protective covering with spacers or risers along the outside edges so that nothing comes into contact with the artwork. How Pastels Framing Differs from OilsThe only difference between framing a pastel versus an oil painting is glass. Pastels need the protection of glass to prevent dust, pollution or any tiny insects from soiling or damaging the artwork.
The Elements of Framing a Pastel
To Fix or Not To FixYou should ask the artist about fixative before you use it on a purchased piece.
Choosing GlassGlass may create a glare on the artwork. This comes from a strongly polarized light which creates a region of intense illumination around the source. These hot spots may obscure the view of parts of the artwork. A non-reflective glass is recommended to minimize glare created from glass.
Non-reflective glass is more expensive but there are different type of non-reflective glass. Depending on how reflective the glass is, directly correlates with the price of the glass, i.e. Museum quality non-reflective glass is the top of the line. When selecting the glass for your pastel, you should consider an Ultra-Violet (UV) protective glass that will provide protection against any bright lights over the years to come. Members of TPS can contact Becky Neideffer about non-reflective artglass. She will cut to size for members only.
Plexi-glass is recommended for shipping larger pastels especially if they are shipped over long distances. Plexi-glass will not break or shatter if dropped by the shipping service. I is also lighter. Plexi-glass may also have UV protection or non glare properties, just like regular glass.
If using plexi-glass, you must first treat it with spray-on or a similar anti-static spray to neutralize the static electricity which prevents pieces of pastel from clinging to the plastic. When framing your pastel, do not use acrylic sheets as a glass substitute. Acrylic sheets become statically charged and will act like a magnet to the pastel particles, therefore lifting dust from the artwork or creating loose dust within the frame. Also if the pastel is a larger size, thinner sheets of acrylic will bow and eventually come into unwanted contact with the artwork.
This is the traditional way to frame pastels. You may also use the sandwich method of placing the glass next to the pastel.
Make sure that the pastel does not touch the glass. This will keep the artwork intact, if the glass is broken and protect the artwork from smudging. Allow at least a .125 inch space between the surface of the artwork and the inner side of the glass pane using a spacer or a mat. Spacers are used for those that want the appearance of an traditional oil painting. Spacers are sold online or at most framing stores. A mat may also serve as a spacer, however double or triple matting work is recommended, as there needs to be a sufficient gap between glass and artwork. A small amount of pastel dust is unavoidable and the best way to prevent this from ruining your framing job is to create a "gutter" where dust may fall and settle out of sight. 
Cross Section of a Frame Sandwich
Back BoardsSome pastel papers are sturdy enough to be framed without a backing board or back mat, if the artwork is on paper that is not heavy weight then it is recommended to attach it to a backing board. This will keep the artwork from slipping or moving after it has been framed. It is recommended to use archival or acid free boards for mounting the artwork, it is less likely to discolor the artwork over time.
A Water activated adhesive may be used to hinge the artwork to a backing board, it is safe, water reversible and acid-free. Linen tape may also be used which is usually archival as well. Lineco makes archival quality water activated or gummed adhesives that may be purchase through a frame shop or online.
When attaching the artwork to a backing board, use a "T-Hinge" or "V-Hinge" as shown below. Either hinge will protect the front of the artwork from coming into contact with an adhesive.
V-Hinge
Dust CoversBlack Tyvek® material is recommended to use for dust covers on pastels. It is a tear and water resistant picture frame backing paper made from 100% DuPont™ Tyvek®.
If a juried show or gallery asks for your work in "ready to hang" format, they want you to have D-hooks, strong screws and wire. Saw tooth hangers are not accepted in galleries or juried shows, they are unstable and the piece may fall and become damaged
Wiring Your Artwork "Ready to Hang"
Avoid hanging any original artwork in direct sunlight, this may cause the pigment to fade over time.
To avoid any loose dust particles falling on to the mat or glass, never turn a framed pastel upside down or face down. |
Standard Ready Made Frame SizesReady made frames are pre-built picture frames. You can find the following standard sizes in most ready made frames.
Wood Frames - Where to Purchase The cost of frames is very competitive. Here are a few of online sites that are reasonable with good wood frames: Franken Frames - https://frankenframes.com Frames USA - https://framesusa.com Picture Frames - https://pictureframes.com Art to Frame - https://arttoframe.com FrameTek - https://frametek.com Local businesses for purchasing frames and glass: Check for contact information under vendors on this site. Poster Warehouse Arizona Picture Frames McBrides Framing Deadwood Framing Also: Michael's Hobby Lobby
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