Soft Pastels are the purest form of artist color, formed almost exclusively from pure pigment with only enough binder to allow them to be formed into useable sticks. Painting with pastels, therefore, is as close as one can get to painting with pure color. When protected by proper mounting and framing, pastel is the most permanent of all media, for it never cracks, darkens or yellows. With proper care, (see "Care of Artwork" for more information on matting, framing and preserving original art) pastel paintings are extremely durable and will last indefinitely. Artists have been creating with pastels for almost four centuries, and in museums throughout the world their works can still be found, reflecting the colorful brilliance with which they were created hundreds of years ago.
Degas was the most prolific user of Pastel, and its champion, for he raised it to the full brilliance of oil. Traditionally, soft pastels were used in the 18th century for painting royal portraiture. In and out of style in the last four centuries, pastels are now enjoying a modern-day resurgence of popularity, a renaissance of the medium, due to their intense colors and astounding beauty and durability. Today, many of our most renowned living artists, have distinguished themselves in pastels, and have enriched the world with this glorious medium.
© Copyright 2005 "the Art of T.Morgan"
Website created by Tamara M. Morgan
The paintings are shown without mat or frame. All pieces are done on acid-free, archival surfaces. For an additional charge, they can be provided with matting appropriate to the piece and, often, a gold inner filet, which adds an additional touch of true elegance. If matting is desired, it will be of archival quality to insure that your painting will be protected from the damaging effects of time.
Archival Matting and Preservation Framing
It is wise to insert a spacer between the mat and the surface of a work in pastel for loose pastel particles to fall into. This spacer is not necessary for other mediums. My best recommendation is to take your new work of art to a professional framer, as they will know exactly how to mat, frame and preserve your piece to insure that it lasts many lifetimes!
Matting is the term used to describe the window-cut material placed around an image within a frame. It is most often used on works of art created on surfaces other than canvas. The mat serves as a spacer, allowing the artwork to expand and contract with changes in humidity. Matting comes in a variety of colors and is chosen to complement the color and design of the artwork. It makes the overall size of the finished piece larger. Although matting can be made from a variety of materials: paper, cardboard, fibrous materials, etc., using an archival quality material will offer protection, ensuring that your art will last for years to come. Archival matting is either made from acid-free cotton fibers or other products now available. Archival mat boards actively protect art from the damaging effects of time and from common pollutants can that yellow, fade and damage your art. Archival matting slows this deterioration and helps extend the life of your art.
Preservation framing, also know as conservation or museum quality, uses materials and techniques including archival matting, hinging and UV protective glazing (glass or acrylic) to increase the protection of original art.