Table of Contents
Mending Broken Pastel Sticks: A Step-by-Step Guide
How Can Artists Preserve and Protect Pastel Artwork?
What Tools and Accessories Help Improve Pastel Technique?
What Tools and Accessories Help Improve Pastel Technique?
Mending Broken Pastel Sticks: A Step-by-Step Guide
Unintentionally snapping a pastel stick can be a real heartache for any artist. However, with the right technique, fixing broken pastel sticks is a feasible task that can save you from unnecessary expenses. The first step is to gather your broken pieces and ensure they are clean from any dust or debris. Next, prepare a solution of warm water and a little gum arabic, which acts as a binder. Dip the broken ends of your pastel stick into this solution and then carefully join them together. It's important to ensure the pieces align correctly. Once joined, wrap the mended pastel stick in a piece of cling film or wax paper and let it dry for a couple of days. Remember, the drying process might take longer depending on the climate and humidity levels in your area. Once completely dry, your pastel stick should be ready to use again. This process may not restore the pastel to its original strength, but it can definitely make it usable again.
How Can Artists Preserve and Protect Pastel Artwork?
Because pastels sit on the surface rather than binding with it, preservation is a crucial step in working with this medium. One of the most important protective measures is using a fixative spray, which helps prevent smudging and fading while maintaining the vibrancy of the colours. However, fixatives must be applied lightly and evenly to avoid darkening delicate tones. Proper storage is also essential—pastel works should be stored flat, between acid-free sheets or mounted with protective matting to prevent contact with the glass. Framing under glass, preferably with spacers or a mat board, protects the artwork from dust, moisture, and accidental smearing. Artists committed to long-term preservation also consider archival surfaces and lightfast pastel brands. These precautions ensure pastel pieces retain their character, detail, and impact for years to come.
What Tools and Accessories Help Improve Pastel Technique?
Sennelier Oil Pastel Set 24 Assorted Portrait
$118.80
Sennelier Oil Pastels
$5.31
Sennelier Oil Pastel Set 24 Still Life
$118.76
While pastels can be applied directly by hand, a range of tools and accessories enhance precision, blending, and cleanliness. Blending stumps, tortillons, and soft brushes allow for controlled gradients and fine detail work, especially useful when working in tight areas or with pastel pencils. Erasers, such as kneadable or vinyl types, help lift pigment without damaging the surface—ideal for correcting errors or creating highlights. Fixatives provide essential protection between layers or upon completion, helping to secure pigment without compromising colour integrity. Storage tools like pastel boxes, trays, or foam-lined cases protect sticks from breakage and make organising hues easier. Choosing the right accessories empowers artists to execute advanced techniques with greater finesse, ultimately making pastel work cleaner, more professional, and more enjoyable.
Why Do Artists Choose The Sydney Art Store for Their Pastel Supplies?
The Sydney Art Store is trusted by professional and emerging artists alike for its exceptional range of pastels and pastel accessories. With carefully selected brands known for high pigment load, lightfastness, and performance, we offer both soft and oil pastel options suitable for a wide range of techniques. Whether you’re seeking velvety soft pastels for delicate layering or richly pigmented oil pastels for bolder strokes, our product range supports both traditional and contemporary styles. We also provide quality surfaces and fixatives, allowing you to complete pastel pieces from start to finish using professional-grade tools. With a focus on providing top-tier products and materials, The Sydney Art Store ensures you have everything you need to bring your pastel artworks to life.
