Choosing between pastel or oil portraits can take some time and thought. One's family may have the tradition of having pastel portraits commissioned over a period of generations and yet, feel a pull towards oil. Or one may feel the seduction of the pastel strokes, which are a kind of magic in skin tones. Their is a purity in pastel, yet oil portraits are by nature more enduring as they are painted on more permanent materials. Yet, pastels hang in the Louvre which were created many hundreds of years ago. So, how does one choose. . .?
If you are truly torn, I'd consider whether you are able to expect your home to be fairly secure in terms of moisture and humidity. Moisture is damaging in particular to pastels as mold can grow. Your home may well be in wonderful control with climate control and this may not be a factor at all.
Other considerations are how you feel about the piece being framed with glass and the reflective nature of the glass. I personally find that charming.
Cost-wise pastels are traditionally priced at about 75% of an oil painting, for reasons which concern drying of paint and the seemingly more quickly achieved effort of a pastel. I have found that having the colors already in my box, it can be somewhat faster, though one has to find that perfect color—and once one is a very seasoned oil painter, mixing is very quick too.
Most artists today feel that pastels and oils should be priced at the same price point, but honor the age-old tradition of pricing them slightly less.
Framing costs can be higher due to the glass and double matt required for pastel framing, which is labor intensive.
Above are two samples, the top is an oil and the bottom a pastel.
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