What are oil pastels?

Oil pastels are a dynamic medium made from pigment, oil, and wax. They offer a wonderful sense of immediacy and the option of heavy impasto effects. The trade off is that they never truly dry in the way that a water-soluble media will. I have found that while they will set over the years, they will always be vulnerable to smudging.

Caring for your artwork- unframed

Your oil pastel painting has been created using high-quality materials. When matting, I use Bainbridge Artcare matboard and acid-free foamcore backing board. Here are some tips to keep your painting looking vibrant for years to come.

◊ Do not touch the surface of the painting. Keep in the sleeve provided until framing.

◊ Hang painting out of direct sunlight and in an area with minimal humidity changes if possible.

◊ Frame with glass to protect your painting from dust, dirt, and curious fingers.

◊ Your artwork is matted to fit into a standard size frame. Look for one that has enough depth to accommodate the matting, glass, and backing board. If you wish to change out the provided matting for a different color, ensure that there is a gap between the glass and the artwork. If the painting is too close to the glazing, some of the oil pastel will stick to the glass.

Caring for your artwork- framed

◊ If your piece has already been framed, then all you need to do is hang it on the wall and enjoy!