Oil vs. Pastel

[Jimmie Arroyo]

If I could paint in oils and had an "official" portrait to do, I would chose oils myself. I believe it would be favored because it's more traditional, and the whole "under glass" thing. Most competitions, when they invite mixed media, separate the oils and everything else "under glass".

I think a client not familiar with the properties of oil and pastel, would be disappointed to find out their commission would have to be delivered "under glass", and would most likely want oil. Just my opinion, but I feel most people would agree an official portrait under glass (unless being protected) would look odd.