Originals in this selection, Acrylic on canvas, Expressive and gestural, Material Pastel.
Tooth for the chalk
Gestural pastel on an acrylic ground over canvas joins the force of the gesture to the substance of a painting. Pictures like these are for sale here, standing between drawing and painting.
For pastel to hold on canvas, it needs a rough priming. Acrylic with quartz sand or marble dust gives hold, and gestural strokes sit clearly on it. The effect is richer than on smooth paper because more pigment stays.
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Format and hanging
Canvas allows larger formats than most works on paper. Here too, a frame with glass and spacing is the safe way, so the chalk is not rubbed off. A strong, slim frame holds the picture together without taming the gestures.
What to look at
Ask about the kind of ground and about fixing. Both determine how carefully the picture has to be hung. Avoid heat sources and sunlight, as well as damp rooms, which can make the ground swell.