Storing, Protecting and Shipping Pastel Artwork / How To Tips

[@embush222]

Yes! This is what I was looking for. Now I feel free to even adapt. I think a card-sized one might be O.K with a heavy cardstock sandwich too . Great to brighten someone's day in get well, birthday cards, etc. ! Not fine art maybe, but an everyday way of shipping those thumbnails that are sweet, but I might normally have to throw away. Thank YOU, Susan!

[@mollyN2112]

Such a WEALTH of information-- I didn't know how much DIDN'T KNOW until I became a fan! Thank you Susan

[@LisaMichelle65]

I know this is an older video, but I’m so glad for the information you provide🙏♥️ thank you Susan🙂

[@susanthrom3092]

Hello Susan, extremely helpful, especially for me ,with all these questions in my mind about storage ...and mailing..thamkyyou and God Bless, and especially during these times.

[@Lindaw1811]

Invaluable info I really needed to know as a newbie artist. Thank you, Susan!

[@momentarilylapse]

Thank you for your generous advice! I was so overwhelmed by reading forums with a million different ideas on how paintings should be shipped - this was so simple & doable, and the care you put into packaging your artwork is heartwarming! Cheers from Canada!

[@monetcafe]

Glad it was helpful! Your comment really blessed me!!

[@natalykenny2069]

Thank you very much for sharing this knowledge!🙏🙏🙏

[@j.evadostie8642]

Thank you for the great video Susan. So very clear and informative!

[@faithful4465]

thank you so much for this :) i will use this video as tips on how to store and ship out pastels works so they stay nice great information!

[@siddiquashahnawaz9433]

Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@karenlavigne1108]

I find ALL your tutorials so full of information & relaxing to view! Karen in Cheboygan Mi

[@sumitabanerjee9742]

Your pastel works are Beautiful

[@nancarol52]

Thank you so much, Susan! This video was very timely for me, as I am getting ready to sell some paintings. Wonderful advice, and I especially love that you put a sheet with tips on framing--I was thinking of doing that as well. Oh, and I love the personal note! Excellent! xoxo

[@lesleybeckett7904]

Thanks!

[@lucyspastels]

You are amazing with your generosity of information (and energy!) This was so helpful. Thank you.

[@monetcafe]

Awwwww… thanks Gill!

[@Sonnybrat74]

Thanks for sharing I've literally just started out with pastels I usually use alcohol inks but want to take a break from using them I'm looking forward to watching more of your tutorials 😁

[@karenlavigne1108]

This is such informative video

[@monetcafe]

YAY!! Thank you! @karenlavigne1108 Comments like this are part of why I do this. I love inspiring others, especially in their art journey! Thank you for your sweet comment!

[@cynthiasamson8830]

Thank you Susan for this video.. It help's and give me idea to make a frame for my floral paintings. 😊

[@rachelbuyshouses7261]

I wish the mats were for my UArt 9 x 12 Pastel Bords.

[@aliciamolloy5948]

Thank you for the great tips!

[@zeinaatik]

Thank you very much for this constructive video, very helpful 😊

[@kayceruleanne8096]

Thank u for this eye opener!!

[@liliapraeli376]

Gracias Susan,me encanta todo lo qué haces y como lo enseñas,felicitaciones!

[@lunnafraticelli6131]

Great tips! Very helpful🙏💜

[@rachelbuyshouses7261]

Great information and lovely art.

[@doreenharrison2968]

Hello Susan! I love your creative ideas for shipping your artwork. Have you ever considered using the postal service standard sizes? It's free, and with a little bubble wrap you can even more securely send your artwork and be certain that damage is avoided.

[@monetcafe]

Great tip! Thanks!

[@zargarzahoor]

very informative

[@lesleybeckett7904]

Hi Im an artist and teacher. Although I know and teach pastels I havent sold much in past(artist in residency, school teaching, exhibiting paintings(oil, watercolour, acrylic) So Im appreciating tips from you on looking after pastel drawings. . Bit tricky financially as have long covid, and now a sore throat and head ache. Oh No. I will recover. I would like to offer more than £2. But just a gesture to thank a fellow creative😍🌺🌼🌷🌱🌳

[@rosanesilva6830]

Muita generosidade sua em compartilhar seus conhecimentos através de seus vídeos.

[@ElizabethBattle]

Me at 0:00: Looking forward to learning how to prepare artwork for shipping. Me at 1:50: KITTEN!!!

[@monetcafe]

💜💜💜💜😅👍🏻

[@dream.in.blooms]

Thank you for such a useful tutorial! I love the sketchbook storage idea! How do you fix your paintings to the sketchbook? In the video I don’t see any tape.

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @dream.in.blooms! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting! I don't tape them. I'm just careful to leave it level.

[@dream.in.blooms]

​@@monetcafeThank you, Susan❤

[@RejuvenateYourHealth]

Great info here! Dollar Tree useful for many art products! I'm trying to find out if there is a spray fixative safe for pastels? I've seen using a continuous, super fine sprayer with alcohol but not sure if it fixes for permanent archival preservation?

[@monetcafe]

Hi @RejuvenateYourHealth, I never spray a fixative on a soft pastel painting since it always darkens the final image. To protect my final painting for shipping or storing, I place them in a clear plastic bag I get from www.clearbags.com/bags/flat/flap-tape/crystal-clear. I buy the bags a bit larger than standard sizes so I will have room for the painting and a piece of foamcore board cut to the size of the painting. Here is a video of my process:kzbin.info/www/bejne/aomnZYabr6useMk&t=209s

[@tslilbearshoppe9870]

thank you!

[@jillkent6134]

Do you use spray fixative on your paintings ?

[@lifeismusicparnadonkers]

Ow super cute and super adorable cat🥰🖐🏾😁👍🏾 i love almost all animals. I don,t like spiders and snakes they freak me out

[@monetcafe]

Thanks! I'm with you about spiders and snakes!

[@cinnie2543]

Don't know if you'll see this since this post is 3 years old, but you didn't mention 9 x 12 paintings. That's my favorite size to paint and I'm having trouble finding pre-cut mats for that size. The 8 x 10 cuts off too much of my painting. Do you have any similar issues with that size, or do you tend to not paint in that size?

[@BillRossable]

Clearbags info

[@bonnieryanart]

How do you adhere the paintings to the sketchbook?

[@monetcafe]

I use black artist tape. I put a piece on the back of the painting with a bit of it sticking out… I do this on all four sides and then I lay the paining down and place a piece of black tape on the portion that sticking out. It adheres in the notebook quite nicely.

[@Uddaybhaikabaap]

Hi Susan,🙂 I'd like to ask if on putting the painting in that sketchbook, do you use fixative before because cellophane plastic the sketchbook would scratch the pastel dust. I usually use glass frame just to be safe. I want to make more and more awesome paintings for my mom. So I paint very carefully only to start and end in the best possible painting I can. I'll try the foam method you told before. This video is really useful to me, I'll surely come up with the good news.☺️ My fiance said she'll be off from studies this weekend and then we(me, brother and her) can paint together (she's persuing medical studies to become a doctor or perhaps a surgeon to be precise). Keep posting more 😊 Love from India ❤️

[@vonaldautterback8831]

Great info! Thank you! A couple of qs - you don't adhere the painting to the foam core or backing board before you package it up for the buyer? Are they any concerns with the buyer taking the painting out of a tight bag and potentially messing up the painting? And do you have a video on how you adhere your painting to foam core board or backing board and what adhesive you use? Thanks so much!

[@monetcafe]

Hi Vonalda, you are correct. I often don't have my painting attached to the foam core board I insert in the clear bag with the painting, but I do include a "Pastel Painting Care and Framing Tips" sheet with every painting purchase. It is suggested that the buyer keep the painting in the bag until ready to frame, but if they want to remove the bag they can gently remove the painting, or even gently cut the bag so as not to disturb the painting. However, the pastel paintings smudge less than you think and I've never had any issues in removing them from the clear bags. And YES, I do have a video on how to adhere your surface to a backing board. Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mILNqICXms-nj5I

[@Tessuma]

Hello, I like your videos. What do you use to stick the paintings into the art book?

[@monetcafe]

I use artists tape. If I'm using a book with black pages I use black artist tape. :)

[@kerrimaddox6671]

Does ultraviolet light effect the pastels? And if so, how should an artist store their pastels? Im referring to the actual pastels, not paintings. I’m trying to figure out the best way to store mine, thank you.

[@monetcafe]

It can, but I've never noticed much of a difference with some pastels that I've had for many years. I would say the main things is to keep them out of direct sunlight. :)

[@nancymaragkaki9435]

Amazing video, thank you so much!! Don't you use any kind of fixative when you post them? x

[@monetcafe]

No, fix it I’ve always darkened the final painting. I store my finished pastel pieces in clear plastic bags. It’s great for keeping them safe for handling and also for shipping. I get mine from www.clearbags.com

[@JFTL81]

Don’t the plastic sleeves smudge the pastels? I’ve had expensive paintings shipped to me and it’s impossible to remove them from the sleeves without smudging a little bit.

[@monetcafe]

That’s a great point, I advise my customers to cut the bag off rather than pulling the painting out. Seems to work great.

[@tinahalle3575]

Thank you for sharing this . Is it possible it will smudge when they pull it out of the bag ? I am getting ready to ship a pastel drawing . I prefer not to use fixative because I hear it will darken it or change it a bit . I’m used stabilo carbothello pastel pencils on pastelmat to do the commission . Should I put glassine paper over the top before putting it into the bag or will it be ok ? I love that they can see the painting through the bag when they take it out of the envelope. The way you have it done is so beautiful and professional looking . It gave me some much needed pointers lol. I’m only doing commissions for people I know at the moment but I do consider opening an Etsy shop one day . This is my first time shipping a pastel drawing and I’m so afraid it’s going to get smudged.

[@monetcafe]

Hi Tina, the pastels don't smudge much when pulling out to the bag, but I have a "Pastel Painting and Framing" sheet I send with my pieces for the buyers. Here is a link in case your want to tweak and use yourself: gyazo.com/ad4ac0571a6672d085ffb51bb510813f

[@susantaja4129]

QUESTION: Do we know that those bags are SAFE for artwork? You may have said but I missed it. Can anyone comment please? Thank you!

[@monetcafe]

Yes, the bags are archivle and safe for the paintings.

[@JanisGagliardi]

How do you attach the actual art pice to the black paper

[@monetcafe]

When I put my paintings in the black paper notebooks… I use black artist tape. I put pieces on the back of the painting that stick out halfway then I lay the painting flat and layer another piece of black tape on the edge of the tape sticking out. It makes for a nice clean look. I hope that makes sense, LOL!

[@BrasiMonsterKatRoan]

Where can we get the plastic bags again? Im a newbie and i paint large things with pastels, the small one are 18x24 so i would love to know where to get gif plastics bags or anything else i can use for that? I spray my pastels too, is it necessary ? Ive heard “dont” and “must do” spray pastels but im confused.

[@monetcafe]

Here’s a link where I get my bags. You can search for the size that you want. Typically, I buy sizes a bit larger than standard sizes, because I like to put a piece of foam core board in the back with my painting for protection. www.clearbags.com/bags/flat/flap-tape/crystal-clear

[@monetcafe]

Oh, and I never spray my finished paintings with fixative. It always darkened the final piece. A pastel painting can stay safe if cared for properly. These clear bags really helped to be able to handle the paintings and for shipping. Once they are framed, they are totally safe.

[@JanisGagliardi]

Do you use fixative so it doesn’t smudge?

[@monetcafe]

Hi Janis, I never spray fixative on my final pastel paintings because it darkens the painting. I sometimes use fixative during the working process, however, to darken and area or add a bit more grit by spraying fixative in specific areas. The workable fixative I use is Blaire Low Odor Fixative. To protect my final painting for shipping or storing, I place them in a clear plastic bag I get from www.clearbags.com. I buy the bags a bit larger than standard sizes so I will have room for the painting and a piece of foamcore board cut to the size of the painting.

[@barbaraeastbourne5398]

Should the foam core be acid free? It is more expensive. Thank you for the information.

[@monetcafe]

I think that would be a good idea if the paintings were going to stay in the bags for long-term storage. Mine are suggested just for temporary storage. But that’s a great point.

[@tslilbearshoppe9870]

she wants those earrings lol

[@monetcafe]

Ha ha ha!!! Right!!!

[@janetferraroartstudio4234]

Great information! Thank you so much!