Framing Pastel Paintings: Glass, Mat, And More By Karen Margulis

Karen Margulis is a renowned pastel artist and instructor, known for her expressive and award-winning pastel paintings exhibited worldwide. In her instructional videos, Karen generously shares her techniques and insights, teaching students how to create captivating pastel artworks. This includes her unique M.A.P. Approach, which simplifies complex concepts and encourages artistic interpretation. Karen's guidance covers various aspects, such as adding texture, balancing mystery and detail, and even framing techniques like using mats or spacers to enhance the presentation of pastel paintings. Framing pastel paintings is a crucial step in their preservation and display, and Karen's insights provide valuable knowledge for artists looking to showcase their work effectively.

Framing pastel paintings without a mat

Another option is to use a fixative spray to stabilise the pastel before framing. This method involves misting the pastel with a product like Spectrafix Natural Glass, which can give it a gloss finish. This approach may be preferable if you want to avoid the hassle and expense of using glass.

When framing pastel paintings without a mat, it is important to consider the size and surface of the painting, as well as the desired level of protection. Spacers can provide more separation between the artwork and the glass, while framing without glass may be more cost-effective and convenient. Ultimately, the chosen method will depend on personal preference and the specific requirements of the artwork.

Using spacers to frame pastel paintings

Framing pastel paintings with spacers is a great alternative to using mats. Spacers are thin plastic strips with a sticky side that can be used to keep the painting away from the glass. This method is ideal for those who do not want to use a mat or mount their paintings before framing. Spacers can be purchased, or you can create your own using a narrow strip of mat board.

To use spacers, simply attach the strips to the edge of the painting on all four sides. This will create a small gap between the painting and the glass, protecting the artwork. This technique is especially useful if you are framing heavy boards that cannot be matted, such as MDF boards.

When choosing materials, it is important to use archival materials rather than cardboard. Ensure that any board you use for mounting is also archival and acid-free. 4-ply acid-free matboard and foam core are good options and are usually available from local framers and art supply stores.

Karen Margulis' M.A.P. Approach

Karen Margulis is a highly regarded pastel artist and teacher, widely known as one of the best pastel artists to learn from. Margulis's "M.A.P. Approach" is designed to help pastel artists gain confidence, overcome the fear of messing up, and add life, expression, and boldness to their artwork.

The "M.A.P. Approach" involves the following:

• Mastery: The approach helps artists master the pastel medium by providing simple, easy-to-grasp information and step-by-step instructions. It encourages artists to interpret reference material rather than simply copying it, allowing them to develop their own artistic style.
• Action Plan: Artists are guided to create an action plan by considering various elements such as value thumbnails, paper size, orientation, and underpainting strategies. This helps them make intentional decisions that strengthen their paintings.
• Pre-selection: Artists are taught to pre-select their pastel palette and avoid "colour chaos." This gives them more freedom to experiment with colours and marks, express their creativity, and tell a captivating story through their artwork.

Through the "M.A.P. Approach," Karen Margulis empowers artists to create successful pastel paintings that stand out and capture the viewer's attention. She shares her exceptional talent and skills, gained through years of dedication and practice, to inspire and elevate other pastel enthusiasts.

How to avoid making colours look dull

Karen Margulis is a contemporary landscape painter who has achieved recognition for her pastel paintings. She has exhibited her work worldwide and is known for her exceptional talent and instructional videos. In her video "Expressive Pastel Painting", she shares tips and techniques to help artists create more vibrant and exciting pastel paintings.

One common challenge that artists face is making colours look dull and muddy. Here are some tips from Karen Margulis's teachings to avoid this issue and create more interesting colours in your pastel paintings:

• Know when a painting is complete: One of the reasons colours may appear dull is overpainting. Understanding when a painting is finished can help you avoid overworking the colours and maintain their vibrancy.
• Explore unusual underpaintings: Karen suggests experimenting with different underpaintings to create a glowing light effect and add depth to your pastel paintings. This can help you create a sense of mystery and intrigue in your artwork.
• Use artistic license: Karen teaches artists how to use their artistic license to tell a captivating story. By balancing mystery and detail, you can create interesting colour combinations that grab and hold the viewer's attention.
• Loosen up and be bold: Karen encourages artists to move away from simply copying reference photos and instead interpret them creatively. By being bolder and looser with your approach, you can add excitement to your colour choices and create more expressive paintings.
• Add texture: Even experienced artists struggle with adding texture to their pastel paintings. Learning simple techniques, such as the "Light Touch" layering technique, can help you add depth and interest to your colours, making them stand out.
• Use a variety of colours: Move away from using only local colours. Explore different colour palettes and experiment with unusual combinations to create more vibrant and eye-catching pastel paintings.

By following these tips and embracing Karen Margulis's instructional approach, you can avoid making colours look dull in your pastel paintings and, instead, create captivating and expressive artworks.

How to know when a painting is complete

Karen Margulis is an award-winning pastel artist and art educator who teaches painting workshops worldwide. She is also a blogger and has a Patreon group where she shares her art journey, experiences, and lessons. Margulis has been painting daily since 2005 and has gained recognition for her representational 'suggested realism' landscapes. She also experiments with abstract pastel paintings, a style she was initially unsure about sharing with her followers.

In her instructional content, Margulis addresses the question of how to know when a painting is complete. She offers her insights and techniques on this topic as part of her "M.A.P. Approach," which aims to help artists overcome the fear of failing in their paintings by providing a simple step-by-step guide to follow.

While the exact details of her method are not publicly available, Margulis does provide some clues about her process. She emphasizes the importance of balancing mystery and detail in paintings to capture and hold the viewer's attention. This involves using artistic license to tell a captivating story, which collectors and dealers seek. Additionally, she teaches techniques like the "Light Touch" layering technique and the "Whisper Vs. Shout" technique to add depth and texture to pastel paintings.

Margulis also emphasizes the importance of practice and consistency in her work. She suggests that daily painting has been key to her growth as an artist, and she encourages others to make it a habit. She also shares her experiences with overcoming the fear of the blank canvas and provides strategies to know exactly where to start.

By following Margulis's approach and incorporating her techniques, artists can gain a better understanding of when a painting is complete. Her methods provide a structured framework that removes self-doubt and encourages creativity and exploration.

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