Yes, it may indeed be possible to frame pastel without glass!

[JennieJo]

Light coats only (I use 4 or more) and with a mister spraying across from above, not at the paper. It works mostly.

I have a good mister, but with A3 pieces it sprays far and wide. I'm spraying closer to waste less product in these tests.

 

[rburley4953]

I have been experimenting with NATURAL Glass and OPS. I do know all the reasons why it won't work, but I needed a way to scan OPS without constantly cleaning it, and I want a way to sell works on paper to renters and travellers - so they don't have to live with bare walls

Step 1: Using well worked with thin layers of hard pastels, I've let these two works sit for about 6 months. Still fell like OPS to the touch, but surface not visible affected.

Step 2: Spray with the 'glass'. It does go on in blobs for me. Gently move the material over the surface. I use lines of the OP strokes to reduce visual impact- there was some in early experiments. Let fully dry in cool place.

Step 3: scan! It worked. No mess to clean up. Image was fine to print on View attachment 28340View attachment 28341 paper/canvas. Did a small canvas test.

Step 4: Sell one. I did. And I explained it was an experiment. They didn't care. They were renters.

Now to go to the next stage. Use a work I really care about. #BABBA #Being A Brave Bold Artist

Hi JenniJo, I'm brand new to this site. Please explain what OP is? Very interesting paintings.

 

[rburley4953]

Light coats only (I use 4 or more) and with a mister spraying across from above, not at the paper. It works mostly.

Hi Bartc, I am brand new to this site. I found it looking for soft pastel framing alternatives. I ordered the Spectrafix Natural Glass. Curious, what's your ratio of water to fixative for this application. I'm sure hoping it works. I would love to frame my pastels without glass!! Thanks for any info.

 

[Artyczar]

Hi rburley, welcome to the site! We actually have a rule not to use abbreviations for this very reason. OP means "Original Post." Most forum users know what that means, but not everyone does.

Are you a pastel user? Would love to see some of your work!

 

[rburley4953]

Hi rburley, welcome to the site! We actually have a rule not to use abbreviations for this very reason. OP means "Original Post." Most forum users know what that means, but not everyone does.

Are you a pastel user? Would love to see some of your work!

Yes, I've been painting with soft pastels since 2015. Here are a few...
I'm a member of various pastel FB groups too.

 

[Artyczar]

Oh my! These are absolutely amazing! You're so skilled.

 

[Terri]

Hi JenniJo, I'm brand new to this site. Please explain what OP is? Very interesting paintings.

Welcome to the forum, rburley!

Yes, as Arty explained, we do have a rule here about avoiding abbreviations, to help keep things clear to all. Arty is correct that "OP" can refer to the original poster in a thread, but in this instance I believe Jennie was referring to Oil Pastels. They react differently than dry/soft pastels in that they really don't dry down. Framing is always a challenge.

Your work is lovely!

 

[rburley4953]

Yes, I've been painting with soft pastels since 2015. Here are a few...
I'm a member of various pastel FB groups too.

Welcome to the forum, rburley!

Yes, as Arty explained, we do have a rule here about avoiding abbreviations, to help keep things clear to all. Arty is correct that "OP" can refer to the original poster in a thread, but in this instance I believe Jennie was referring to Oil Pastels. They react differently than dry/soft pastels in that they really don't dry down. Framing is always a challenge.

Your work is lovely!

Thank you!!! Yes, that does make more sense. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[rburley4953]

Oh my! These are absolutely amazing! You're so skilled.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[JennieJo]

Hi JenniJo, I'm brand new to this site. Please explain what OP is? Very interesting paintings.

Hi, I thought it was standard shorthand for Oil Pastel.

 

[rburley4953]

Hi, I thought it was standard shorthand for Oil Pastel.

No worries. I only paint with soft pastels, so it just didn't click with me.

 

[Artyczar]

Oops! Sorry, I didn't realize what forum I was in. Yes, OP would be oil pastels here. I remember when I first saw that here, and I was like, whaaa?

 

[rburley4953]

No worries......

 

[stlukesguild]

I will certainly need to look into this in the future. The cost of framing my pastels at 80"Hx46"W is absolutely prohibitive. I have seen pastels framed under plexi... but it needs to be anti-static plexi to avoid pastel particles from adhering to the "glass". Personally, I like to very matte surface of pastel and would be wary of any fixative that changes that... let alone the color.

 

[JStarr]

I will certainly need to look into this in the future. The cost of framing my pastels at 80"Hx46"W is absolutely prohibitive. I have seen pastels framed under plexi... but it needs to be anti-static plexi to avoid pastel particles from adhering to the "glass". Personally, I like to very matte surface of pastel and would be wary of any fixative that changes that... let alone the color.

I've framed smack up against plexi- the plain ol' plexi from Home Depot in fact. Works.

Of course, I work on a sanded surface, which is less wimpy about allowing static to tell it what it will do.....