5 Tips for Framing Your Animal Portraits
How Protect Your Animal Portraits in Simple Steps
Have you ever finished an animal portrait and wondered…
“What’s the best way to protect it now?”
After spending many hours drawing animals with pastel pencils, the last thing you want is for your artwork to become smudged, dusty, or damaged.
Pastel is a beautiful medium, but it is also delicate.
That’s why proper framing is such an important final step.
A good frame doesn’t just make your artwork look professional—it also helps preserve your portrait so it can be enjoyed for many years.
Here are a few simple framing tips that can help protect your pastel artwork and keep it looking its best.
1. HANDLE YOUR ART WITH CARE
Before you even start the framing process, it’s crucial to handle your pastel drawings with great care. Avoid touching the drawn area directly, as pastels can easily smudge or get damaged from oils on your fingers. Always hold your artwork by the edges and consider wearing gloves to protect it.
Even a small touch can disturb delicate pastel pigment.
Taking a little extra care now can prevent unwanted marks later.
2. USE A MOUNT FOR ADDED PROTECTION
A mount (also called a mat or passepartout) is essential when framing pastel art. Choose a mount cardboard with a beautiful complementary color that enhances your drawing. The cutout should be slightly smaller than your artwork to keep it in place and ensure that the edges are protected. The mount also prevents the glass from touching the pastel surface, which is crucial for keeping your artwork intact.
A mount not only protects your artwork but can also make it look more elegant and professional.
3. FRAME YOUR PORTRAIT BEHIND GLASS
Using glass in your frame is a must when working with pastels. Glass protects your artwork from dust, debris, and accidental contact. However, make sure there’s a small gap between the glass and the surface of your drawing. The mount can help with this, as it creates space between the art and the glass, preventing smudging.
This protective barrier is one of the most important parts of framing pastel artwork.
4. USE A STURDY, HIGH-QUALITY FRAME
A good frame not only enhances the appearance of your artwork but also provides solid protection. Choose a frame that complements your portrait but is sturdy enough to protect it from environmental factors such as humidity or impact. Avoid frames that are too flimsy, as they may not offer adequate support for your art in the long term.
A quality frame helps protect all the hard work you’ve invested in your portrait.
4. CONSIDER UV-RESISTANT GLASS OR ACRYLIC
If your pastel portrait is going to be displayed in a brightly lit room or near a window, consider using UV-resistant glass or acrylic. This helps to protect your artwork from fading due to sunlight exposure, ensuring that the colors remain vibrant over time.
This extra protection can be especially valuable for artwork displayed for many years.
Final thought:
Protecting a pastel portrait starts with careful handling, continues with a good mount and glass, benefits from a sturdy frame, and can be strengthened further with UV protection.
After spending time drawing animals with pastel pencils, proper framing helps preserve your colors, details, and hard work so your portrait can be enjoyed for many years to come
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