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Pastels are usually painted on a vertical surface, ideally slanted slightly forward so that dust falls off the painting. Pastels are pure pigments ground into a paste using small amounts of gum binder. Pastel is a medium of unsuspected range and diversity. Pastel paintings hang in art galleries around the world. Pastel artist paintings should undergo archival framing and be put under glass to protect the artwork. Pastel requires a surface with some “tooth” for the pigment to stick to. Pastels from the major manufacturers are available in single sticks arranged in bins at stores as well as pre-packaged into sets.