A recent pastel

[Steve Craighead]

Hi Karine,
If you use DIN glass or a nonreflecting glass from other manufacturers you really don't see it. I tell my clients that pastels are made of the same pigments as oil paint yet they don't crack or discolor with age. They do have to be protected by a sheet of glass though. I remember seeing a de la Tour pastel and a Chardin self-portrait pastel at the Louvre the last time I was there. They looked as fresh as if they had been painted the day before, at 250 years old that's pretty good. I don't remember noticing the glass.

[Sharon Knettell]

Originally Posted by Steve Craighead

Allan and David, Here's a closeup. I don't know if you do pastel, but you might be interested in knowing that I use a combination of Nupastels, Rembrandt, Schmincke, and Unison. Really anything that works. I love the give of linen and therefore do pastels on a finely woven polyester fabric coated with acrylic gesso, pumice, toned with raw umber, and stapled over stretcher bars.

Steve, do have any problems with the flexibility of the material loosening up the pastel? I use a cradled MDF board or an aluminum substrate that are more rigid.

BTW, try the Great American Pastels. They are creamy, hold a fine line and don't crumble. This earth colors for skin-tones are evenly graded and don't jump.

I use a spray that does not change the color, Perfix by Rowney.

[Michele Rushworth]

What a beautifully delicate portrait. I was fortunate enough to see this in person a few weeks ago -- such a gem!

[Marina Dieul]

Beautiful portrait, Steve!
A lot of sensitivity.