dirty ethel rackham Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 Dd17 is entering several pieces of artwork into our county fair for 4-H. Since they are chalk pastel, they need to be covered in glass or plexiglass to protect them. They are large pieces ... like 18x24 matted. We may be able to borrow a bunch of frames inexpensively, but we are looking for inexpensive ways to protect the surfaces. What would you do? Due to procrastination on her part, we only have today and tomorrow morning to get this done since we have to be at judging by 2pm on Monday. Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 Big box hardware stores usually carry plexiglass. Ask someone where they keep it because it can be hard to find. You can cut it down to size using a sharp box cutter or snap blade but read up on this because plexiglass cuts can veer off easily when you snap the piece after scoring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 I use a spray on my charcoal or graphite drawings to keep them from smudging. I don't know if you do that to pastel, though. It might alter the colors? Would plastic wrap work at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 Have you priced cheap poster frames? If the frames are the wrong color, you could paint them if you have to. If that isn't in the budget, some art stores sell large sheets of acetate that you could cover them with, but you have to figure out how to hang them and at that size the will be very floppy to manage. What method of display have they offered you? For professional showings we used spray to protect them, but for 4H, I don't know if I would trust that environment to keep them safe from touching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 Another idea is to buy something from ikea if it's not too far away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bambam Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 (edited) We've used hairspray before. You can purchase a fixative spray from Michaels/HobbyLobby as well. The hairspray may slightly change the colors though. https://www.deepspacesparkle.com/to-spray-or-not-to-spray/ - keep scrolling down to the get to the part about spraying. Edited July 23, 2017 by Bambam 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 Sometimes when in a pinch for the exact same reason, we've used pictures frames (with glass) hanging on our own walls and just exchanged pictures for the fair period. Otherwise, we have often been able to find very cheap frames (with glass or plexiglass) at thrift shops. I know that doesn't answer your question about how to provide protection for frames that you already have... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jae3578 Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 I dabbled in pastels a little bit ago, and found this quick youtube video from Lindsey Weirich ("the frugal crafter") pretty helpful. She recommends not using acrylic or plexi because of a static charge that can pull the loose dust onto the back of the surface. So if you can, always go with glass. She also has a couple of tips on matting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted July 23, 2017 Author Share Posted July 23, 2017 Thanks for the advice. She did put fixative on a couple of oieces, but is wary because one of the pieces was damaged by the fixative spray not coming out finely enough and she had work to do to get it back to what she wanted. Thanks for the warning about acrylic and Plexiglass. These really do need to be covered. They will be moved around by people who are volunteers managing the space during judging. Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted July 23, 2017 Author Share Posted July 23, 2017 We scored 6 usable frames with glass at Goodwill for $31. Some will need some TLC (black spray paint anyone?) These are large pieces, some I am thrilled with the haul. I just hope she has enough mat board since some are bigger than she needed. Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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