Pet Portrait / Pastel Painting Care

Pastel Painting Handling Suggestions:

  Pastel is a very fragile medium and smudges fairly easily. It is chalk-like and not moisture proof.
  Avoid touching the painted surface. It is best to keep the artwork laying flat until framed. 
  Your artwork should be matted with an acid free, reverse beveled mat and framed behind glass for protection. Plexiglass or acrylic is not recommended as it builds up a static charge that will draw the pastel off the paper.  If you choose to use it, take care to remove static with a soft, damp cloth and air dry. Non-glare, UV glass  is preferred.
  The glass should not touch the pastel surface. Spacers(usually foam core) are needed to offset the glass from the surface of your artwork. Any professional framer will know how to handle a pastel painting. If attempting it yourself, there are several good YouTube videos that can walk you through it.  I've framed several of my personal pieces and find that using a double mat creates enough space between the art and the glass without using spacers.
Self-frame at your own risk. Professional framing is recommended.
 Your painting has not been sprayed with a fixative, and it is not recommended as it will severely dull the colors. 
  Avoid hanging your artwork in direct sunlight as it will cause it to fade.