Frequently Asked Questions About Pastels
(scroll down for FAQ's about Gicleé Prints)
What is pastel?
Pastel is a French term – “pastiche”. Pure pigment is mixed with a small amount of binder and rolled into sticks. These sticks are not chalk. Only their shape is similar.
Unlike pigment that is mixed with a liquid binder such as oil which make oil paints, pastels will not darken, crack or yellow with time.
One can trace the use of pastel back to the 1600’s with a Venetian woman artist Roasalba Carriera. Pastels created in the 1800’s hang in the museums as beautiful as the day there were created. Such artists as Degas, Cassatt and Manet, to name a few, began painting regularly with pastel in the 1800’s.
When an artist draws with pastel, it is a pastel sketch. When the paper is covered entirely, it is a pastel painting even though no liquid “paint” is used.
Do you spray with a fixative after the painting is complete?
Some artists do but I prefer not to. I work on a ground (surface) that has a lot of tooth. The tooth holds the pastel medium in place. Spraying changes the prismatic quality of the piece. There are tiny microscopic prism-like particles that refract the light. When one sprays, smudges or blends, with something other than another pastel, the reflective quality is lost and the work has a flatter appearance in my opinion. I prefer to lightly tap the piece gently on the back to remove any loose particles prior to placing under glass with either a mat board or spacer bars between the glass and the artwork.
What ground do you use?
There are excellent products to choose from. My favorites include Sennelier La Carte Pastel Board, Wallis Sanded Professional and Museum grade paper, Crescent Suede Board or my own homemade sanded board from finely ground marble dust and gesso. These are more durable than Canson Mi-Tientes which is also great sheet of paper in a variety of colors that I may use occasionally.
Are oils more expensive than pastels to purchase?
Both professional grades of oil and pastel are costly to purchase. When working in pastel, an artist must have all the shades, tints and tones of each colors in a stick form. With oil paints, you can mix many colors from just a few tubes of colors. One can crosshatch somewhat with pastel (lay one color over the other to create optical blending) but really one needs the full range in values from light to medium to dark in any one particular color. My favorite types of pastels are: Girault, Sennelier, Unison, Art Spectrum and Nu Pastel (only to sketch out the work). I begin with the harder Nu Pastel and immediately go to the Girault and then the others join in. Each has a plethora of colors in their sets which range from a few hundred to over 500 depending on the brand.
Edward Degas and Mary Cassatt assisted in popularizing pastel. In 1983, Sotheby’s Auction House sold two Degas pastel paintings for over $3,000,000 each. Both oil and pastel are used by me regularly although I will admit pastel is my favorite due to the layering of colors that give the translucent glow that my work is known for.
Do pastels mean light colors?
No. That word pastel is a term more known in the fashion and cosmetic industry that implies soft, light colors. In the art world, pastel is a medium in which the full value range (from lightest lights, medium tones all the way to the darkest darks) is available. Colors are often more vibrant than oils for example because of the saturation of pigment (no liquid binder diluting the pigment).
Originally pastels were used to sketch with. Since the 1800’s artists created entire paintings from this medium and as the years have gone by, it has become more and more popular among both artists and collectors.
How do I protect a pastel painting from damage?
Once a piece is finished, I place a sheet of glassine paper over the work to protect it until it gets framed. The glassine is like wax paper without the wax.
When it is ready to be framed, it should be placed on archival (acid free) materials to protect the back of the work. Then you will want either a mat board placed on top of the artwork with a window or spacer bars which both lift the glass from touching the surface of the artwork.
As with all artwork, keep from direct sun and away from extreme temperatures, humidity and water. Never place work in an attic that can reach high temperatures or an unfinished basement that can freeze.
For homes with many windows, there is special conservation glass which filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays that can be substituted for regular glass. Be sure to ask for an upgrade in glass if your home has many windows.
When you add a Richichi to your art collection you can rest assured that proper framing criteria has been met in order to protect your investment. All care has been give so that a Richichi work of art will bring joy for generations to come.
Some of this information is from an article called What is Pastel? It doesn’t give credit to the author and I have received it at many different pastel functions so I don’t know the source.
“Degas was the most prolific user of pastel, and its champion, for he raised it to the full brilliance of oil. His protege, Mary Cassatt, introduced the Impressionists and pastel to her wealthy friends in Philadelphia and Washington, and thus to the United States.”
- Flora Baldini Giffuni, Pastel Society of America
Frequently Asked Questions about Gicleé Prints
What is a Gicleé Print?
Gicleé is a French word meaning to spray.
Each collectable limited edition print is signed and numbered by the artist.
"Gicleé prints" are an elevation in printmaking technology. The print process begins with a high resolution digital scan. Then the image is sprayed with archival quality inks onto various substrates including canvas and fine art paper. This gicleé printing process produces a more accurate color reproduction than other means.
Are these Limited Edition Prints?
Yes, a Certificate of Authenticity is included which is signed by the artist also. Each print is signed and numbered by the artist.
What kind of paper are they printed on?
* These collector prints are on archival 100 % rag paper using light fast inks.
* The artist uses the finest quality archival conservation materials at all times for
originals, prints and matting.
What happens if it received damaged?
In the event that it is damaged during shipping, simply call or email the studio to notify us and a replacement will be sent once the damaged piece is returned.
What if I am unhappy with the print?
There is a 30 day return policy. You will be issued a refund less shipping and handling charges once the work is returned in 100% resalable condition.
Will the image look exactly like it does on my computer monitor?
Each monitor displays a slightly different color. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the artist prior to purchasing. The colors on the screen may be slightly brighter since the screen is back lit.
If I choose to frame the print myself what should I need to know?
Choose materials that are acid free to insure that they do not damage the print. These are limited edition collector’s prints and not posters. Never use scotch tape, masking tape or any other hinging product that does not say acid free on the label.
If you are going to a custom frame shop, be sure to ask for acid free materials. Custom prices will vary depending on the quality of moulding and materials used. We use materials to protect the artwork so that you can rest assured it will last.
There are chain art stores where you can purchase standard frames inexpensively if you are on a budget. You may need to then order a custom mat and then fit that into a standard frame. Remember what you put on the back of the print is as important as the mat on the front. Do not place the glass right on the print for the best protection of the piece. If the work gets humid, it may stick to the glass. This is the main reason that mats are used. Many of these art chain stores have a custom framing shop right inside.
If you want to have it arrive completely framed, simply choose one of the frames we have available and simply hang it when it arrives. A hook and nail is even included for your convenience. |
