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Pastel or Acrylic - Which Medium is Right for Me?

K9 Portrait paintings are created in one of two mediums: Dry Pastel or Acrylic paint.

The main differences in pastel and acrylic are:

1) Pastel is applied dry, in stick form. It looks like chalk but is quite different in that the stick is almost pure pigment. The pastel is applied to a rough surface that holds the pigment dust and gives a matte surface with intense colors and values.

2) Pastel allows more detail and depth to give fur a luster that is unique (see "Toby" or "Magnolia"in the gallery).

3) Pastel is more fragile than acrylic and must protected in a frame and under glass. See my article on "Caring for Pastel Artwork".

4) The choice between the two mediums is sometimes dictated by size since any pastel piece larger than about 30 inches square will be heavy and fragile due to the requiring a glass protective face.

5) Acrylic is applied as a liquid or heavy bodied paint and dries to a tough surface that can be either a satin or gloss coated finish.

6) Acrylic colors are intense and can be developed in a stylized fashion for a "modern" look, however, I rarely get requests for this treatment.

7) Acrylic can be used to produce an "oil painting" type look without the fragility of oil and the attendant care requirements (see "Jeep & Jock" and "Zena" in the gallery)..

8) Acrylic can be shipped more safely and is better adapted to large works (I have created pet portraits over six feet tall or wide - see "Henry & Dawn" in the gallery) particularly when done on stretched canvas.

9) Since pastel requires a glass protective cover (not plastic and not anti-glare glass) it is frequently more difficult to see a pastel piece from across the room or in a brightly lit space while acrylic is easier to see under any conditions.

If you have questions about caring for pastel work or the pros and cons of pastel versus acrylic, please contact me by e-mail at dave@k9portraits.com