Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell
Virgil,
There is a new UVA protectantant spray on the market from www.goldenpaints.com, but iI doubt that that is the answer.
I noticed that some of Mary Cassat's pastels have faded, worse her paper changed color. I think people should be much more careful about the paper they use as well. There is a parallel problem with pastel or colored papers. Many are touted as lightfast and are not as they are dyed. One popular paper MiTeintes, I believe is dyed, not pigmented, therefore it will fade or discolor. There are many others which have a similiar problem. I believe it behooves the pastel artist to seek out lightfast papers, the ones that are pigmented. Unfortunately, they are more expensive and generally handmade.
Thankyou for your efforts in this area. I will be probably be dangling some test strips myself.
I also noticed that Rembrandt is advertising a comlpletely revamped line.
Sincerely, |
Sharon,
Paper fading or discoloring is indeed another problem for pastel artists, if they are inclined to leave some of the paper showing. It's probably better to cover the paper entirely with pastel, or make our own supports and grounds from non-fading materials. I've sometimes used Masonite panels, and primed them with acrylic gesso mixed with marble dust, applied with a seamless roller to give it texture. I mix in some acrylic color to tone the gesso, making sure to choose only paints rated ASTM Lightfastness I for the toning colors. That way, there will be no fading of the ground layer. Golden now has an acrylic primer made especially for pastels, and that's what I intend to use next time.
UV protection additives in varnishes and fixatives probably help a little, but their effectiveness is limited, as the protective power diminishes with time.
The result of all this attention and testing is going to be better, more lightfast pastels for us to work with. I always enjoyed working in pastels, but gave it up when I realized I could not expect them to stay looking the way I painted them to look. That's why I started all this. I'll be painting in pastels again soon, with renewed enthusiasm.
Thanks for appreciating what I've been doing.
Virgil Elliott