What is pastel?

            Pastel is pure, dry pigment ground very fine and then mixed with just enough binder to hold it together in stick form. The medium originated in northern Italy in the 16^th century. It was used by such artists as Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) and Edgar Degas (1834-1917) extensively in their work.

And how do I take care of it?

            Pastel colors are permanent and will maintain their color indefinitely. Pastel should always be framed behind glass to protect the surface. There are fixatives that can be sprayed on pastel paintings but they can change the colors slightly and have a flattening effect on the overall look of the paintings. Pastels should not be situated too close to heat sources, in direct sunlight, or in high humidity areas such as bathrooms.