Mounting pastel paper provides a stable and rigid surface, which is beneficial for working with the medium and for subsequent framing. While there are various methods for mounting, including wet mounting techniques, dry mounting, and using adhesive boards, one approach highlighted in resources is related to the type of material used.
According to one source discussing methods for mounting pastel paper, "There's three ways that you can mount. The first one is definitely the easiest. And that's to buy your sanded boards mounted."
This suggests that obtaining pre-mounted sanded boards is a primary and accessible method for working with pastel paper without needing to perform the mounting process yourself. Sanded boards, such as those made with a rigid backing like conservation board, MDF, or hardboard, have a pastel-friendly surface already adhered to them, ready for you to begin creating your artwork.
While this explains how to obtain mounted pastel paper easily, traditional methods for mounting pastel paper yourself typically involve:
- Choosing a Support: Selecting a rigid backing material like foam core, illustration board, or hardboard.
- Applying Adhesive: Using a suitable adhesive (like conservation-grade spray adhesive, double-sided adhesive sheets, or acid-free glue) applied either to the back of the pastel paper or the mounting board.
- Attaching the Paper: Carefully aligning and adhering the pastel paper to the support, often using a brayer or roller to ensure even contact and remove air bubbles.
However, the referenced material specifically points out that buying sanded boards already mounted is available as one of the three primary methods and is considered the easiest.
