FAQ’s

What is soft pastel?

Soft pastel is a dry medium that has a high pigment concentration with very little binder, and this is the reason for their rich, soft texture. It is one of the longest lasting mediums when cared for properly. In my artwork, I use professional grade soft and hard pastel sticks, PanPastels, and pastel pencils.

What kind of surface do you use for your pastel artwork?

I use a variety of archival fine art pastel papers and art board. Among my favorites are Clairefontaine Pastelmat, UArt Premium Sanded Pastel Paper, and Canson Mi-Teintes Velvet Pastel Paper.

Do you sell any of your soft pastel artwork framed?

I can have your soft pastel artwork framed for you for an additional cost of frame and framing, but you must be close enough for local pickup or delivery (near Wayne County, Georgia). This includes custom pet portraits. If your original soft pastel artwork has to be shipped, it will be UNFRAMED. I make every effort to insure that your artwork is protected for transit. However, if it is framed, there is the possibility of loose pastel dust coming off and falling onto the inside of the glass during shipping.

How can I request that my soft pastel artwork be framed?

Contact me BEFORE making your purchase. Go to my Contact page here on my website and let me know which artwork you are interested in. I will respond and we can discuss what type of framing you would like, and I will send you a link with an invoice and link for payment. I will communicate with you about a time for local pickup or delivery when framing is complete.

Do you only paint dogs and cats for your custom pet portraits?

No. I am open to painting other animals as well.

Can I frame my soft pastel artwork myself?

Yes, but in order to maintain the structural integrity of the artwork, you must take certain steps to insure that the pastel surface is protected.

—First of all, your artwork MUST be protected with glass. If the surface of your artwork is touched, it will smear the pastel pigment and come off on anything that touches it.

—Secondly, you will need to use mat board, or matting to separate your artwork from the glass. Spacers are an alternative to matting, but this requires a little more work, and they are not always available in stores.

Can you recommend a cost efficient way to have my soft pastel artwork framed?

There are many wonderful independent framers, but if you are looking for a more cost efficient path, Michael’s and Hobby Lobby offer both custom frames and frames already made. They both usually offer framing services, including a variety of mat board and frame materials. They also offer different types of glass. If possible, I recommend the museum, or Masterpiece, quality glass because it can provide UV protectant and minimizes glare so you can enjoy a clear view of your artwork.

IMPORTANT: Please make sure that the framer you choose is experienced with handling and framing pastel art. I also recommend that you tell them NOT to use spray fixative on your artwork before framing because it can alter the colors and darken your artwork.

Other Notes:

Avoid hanging your artwork in direct sunlight or a room that has a lot of moisture, like a bathroom. Pastel art can last a lifetime and longer, but moisture will cause buckling in the surface and like any medium, direct sunlight will eventually cause your artwork to fade.

Please contact me with any other questions you have. I am happy to help. You may visit my Contact page on this website or email me at LKICKART@GMAIL.COM.