How to Care for Your Pastel Pet Portrait: Tips for Long-Lasting Art

First of all, congratulations on owning a unique and personal piece of art! Your pastel pet portrait captures your furry friend in a way that photos simply can’t, and I’m thrilled that you’ve chosen my artwork to celebrate your pet. As with any cherished piece of art, it’s important to care for your custom pet portrait in Glasgow or anywhere in Scotland, ensuring it stays looking as beautiful as the day you first received it.

Pastels are a wonderful medium, but they do require a bit of special attention to keep them in top condition. In this post, I’ll share my top tips on how to care for your portrait of your pet, including advice on framing, handling, and maintaining its beauty for years to come.

1. Frame It Right – The Importance of a Protective Frame

One of the most important things you can do to protect your pet art commission in Scotland is to frame it properly. Pastels are prone to smudging because of their powdery texture, so a frame with a protective glass or acrylic cover is essential.

Tips for framing:

• Use Glass or Acrylic: Make sure to frame your photo to artwork of your pet with museum-quality glass or UV-protective acrylic. This will help shield the artwork from dust, dirt, and harmful UV rays, which can fade the colours over time.
• Matting: A good quality acid-free mat is a must. Not only does it help separate the pastel from the glass, preventing it from touching the surface, but it also protects against moisture and further prevents any damage from contact.
• Avoid Regular Frames: While ready-made frames may seem convenient, they often don’t provide the level of protection that pastels require. If you can, opt for a frame specifically designed for pastel works.

2. Handling with Care – Avoid Smudges and Damage

Pastels are delicate by nature, so it’s crucial to handle your portrait of your pet with care. Since pastels are not “set” like paint, they can easily be smeared or damaged with the wrong touch.

Tips for handling:

• Wear Gloves: If you need to touch the surface of your custom pet portrait in Glasgow, it’s a good idea to wear cotton gloves to avoid leaving oils or dirt from your fingers behind.
• Avoid Direct Contact: Try to avoid touching the pastel surface directly. Even the oils from your skin can damage the artwork. When you’re moving it or hanging it, hold it by the edges, or use a clean cloth to handle it.
• Support When Moving: When you’re moving your portrait, be sure to support it from the bottom, especially if it's a larger piece. This will prevent any bending or creasing.

3. Keep It Safe from Dust and Dirt

Dust and dirt are natural enemies of pastel artwork. They can accumulate over time, dulling the colours and creating a film on the surface that’s difficult to remove. To keep your pet art commission in Scotland looking fresh, you’ll need to take a few precautions.

Tips for dusting and protection:

• Cover it Up: When not displayed, keep your custom pet portrait in a dust-free environment. Consider placing it in a protective portfolio or covering it with a clean cloth to keep dust at bay.
• Cleaning: If dust does accumulate, avoid wiping it with a dry cloth. Instead, use a soft, clean brush (like a makeup brush) to gently sweep away any particles. For larger pieces, a handheld vacuum with a soft brush attachment can help.
• Location: Try to place your portrait of your pet in a low-traffic area, away from sources of dust like vents or windowsills. Keeping it out of direct sunlight will also protect the colours from fading.

4. Avoid Direct Sunlight – Protect the Colours

While pastel portraits are vivid and striking, they’re also sensitive to prolonged exposure to sunlight. Just like other art forms, UV rays can cause the colours to fade over time, diminishing the vibrancy of your piece.

Tips for avoiding damage from sunlight:

• Display in Indirect Light: Try to display your photo to artwork of your pet in a location where it won’t be directly in the path of sunlight. If that’s not possible, consider placing it on a wall that doesn’t receive much natural light throughout the day.
• UV-Filtering Glass: If you can, choose a frame with UV-filtering glass to protect against harmful sunlight. This type of glass blocks a significant amount of UV rays, helping to preserve the colours of your pet art commission in Scotland.

5. Temperature and Humidity Control – Keep it Stable

Extreme changes in temperature and humidity can have a negative effect on any artwork, and pastels are no exception. Fluctuations in the environment can cause the paper or canvas to warp, or worse, cause the pastel pigments to break down.

Tips for keeping your artwork stable:

• Avoid Damp Areas: Keep your custom pet portrait in Glasgow away from areas with high humidity, such as bathrooms or damp basements. Excess moisture can cause the pigments to soften or smudge, and humidity can damage the surface.
• Stable Temperature: Try to display your portrait of your pet in a room with a stable temperature, avoiding direct heat sources like radiators or air conditioners. Extreme heat or cold can lead to the warping of the paper or canvas, so it’s important to maintain a comfortable, moderate climate.

6. Restoring a Pastel Portrait

If your photo to artwork of your pet ever becomes damaged or suffers from wear and tear, don’t panic. In many cases, with the right care and restoration, pastels can be brought back to their former glory. If you’re unsure how to fix minor smudges or dust buildup, it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional art conservator.

---

Final Thoughts Your pet art commission in Scotland is a labour of love, and with the right care, it can bring joy to you and your family for years to come. By following these simple tips for framing, handling, and maintaining your custom pet portrait in Glasgow, you’ll help ensure that your portrait of your pet remains as vibrant and beautiful as the day it was created.

Thank you again for trusting me to capture the spirit of your pet in pastel. 

If you ever have any questions about caring for your artwork, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to help, here!