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Information about Pastel Artwork

Pastels were invented in the Sixteenth century and get their name because powdered pigment is ground into a "paste" with gum tragacanth and water, and rolled into sticks. Pastels are made of pigments equal to those of top grade oil paints-in fact, most of them are the same pigments. Because there is no linseed oil to dry, turn yellow and crack, pastel colors stay fresh and vivid.

Pastel portraits and art work, do require special attention and care until they are framed. Your portrait should be framed as soon as possible after it is received. In handling the portrait, be careful to avoid touching or rubbing the pastels.

When it is framed, the piece should have a space (mats) between the paper and the glass, preventing any contact with the paper. A knowledgeable framer will use this procedure for the care of this medium.To clean the piece once it is framed and hung, use a clean dry cloth to clean the glass. Do not spray any cleaning material directly onto the portrait.

Pastel paintings are very fragile, and therefore before framing should lay flat away from moisture and air currents. They should be placed under glass as soon as possible. A spacer is used between paper and frame to keep the glass from touching the pastels.

Caring for your art piece:

• Proper care and cleaning of your art piece is vital for maximum enjoyment and longevity. Following are some professional tips which are helpful for any framed artwork you may have.
• Dust framed pieces regularly. Dust contains mold spores that can cause deterioration.
• For portraits enclosed in glass, use a clean, dry cloth to clean the glass. Spray cleaner onto your cloth - not onto the glass - before cleaning. If sprayed directly onto the glass, cleaner can drip down to stain the mat or art.
• Hang your portrait away from direct sources of heat. If your art is hung over a fireplace, make sure there is a mantel to deflect the damaging elements of heat, soot, and smoke.
• Try to keep the relative humidity at a stable 50% in your home.
• Hang your portrait away from the harmful ultraviolet rays of direct sunlight.
• Optimum lighting for your portrait is a 150 watt bulb four to five feet away. If you're using a picture light, make sure the bulb is no more than 25 watts.
• Ask your framer for recommended hanging devices.
• If you are going to hang your portrait on an outer wall, check the wall for dampness.
• Check your art work periodically for changes and report any problems to your custom framer.
  
  

The Giclee Print

With the advent of giclée, (pronounced Zee-clay) the art of fine printing has become even more precise. Because no screens are used, the prints have a higher apparent resolution than lithographs. In the giclée process, a fine stream of ink, more than four million droplets per second, is sprayed onto a specially treated canvas. The effect is similar to an airbrush technique but much finer. Displaying a full color spectrum, giclée prints have the ability to capture minute nuances in original painting in which other processes fall short.

These prints are produced one at a time by a state-of-the-art continuous-tone process in which inks saturate the canvas. The highlights are brighter, contrasts are better defined, and the colors are more exact than any comparable reproduction process. The result is a superbly accurate, vibrant, illuminated image that holds a striking resemblance to the original. Simply, this is as close to an original work of art as can be reproduced. 

Currently, Giglées are special ordered and may not be purchased on-line at this time. Please contact us for ordering information.

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