Blog Archives
Q: Pastel dust can be toxic. Do you use air filters in your work space?
Barbara’s Studio
A: No, but I wear a surgical mask when I work, to prevent breathing pastel dust. Also, I use a barrier cream, called Artgard, to prevent pigment being absorbed into my skin through cuts. I take care that my head is always higher than my hand as I work, so the dust is below my mouth and nose. It’s difficult to tell from the photo but my easel is tilted forward, allowing pastel dust to fall onto the easel and floor.
I am well aware of the toxicity of pastel, especially with colors that contain cadmium, and believe I take the proper precautions. After forty years working with soft pastel, so far I’ve managed to stay healthy.
Comments are welcome.
Q: All art media involve some level of toxicity. Do you use an air filter? How do you protect yourself against the harmful effects of working with soft pastel?
A: No, but I wear a surgical mask when I work, to prevent breathing the pastel dust. Also, before I begin, I apply a barrier cream, called Artgard, to my hands to prevent pigment being absorbed into my skin through any tiny cuts I may have.
My easel is tilted forward, allowing pastel dust to fall onto the easel and floor. I take care that my head is always higher than my hand as I work, so the dust is below my mouth and nose. I am well aware of the toxicity of pastel and believe I take the proper precautions. After nearly forty years working with soft pastel, so far I’ve managed to stay healthy.
Comments are welcome.
Q: You wear gloves and a mask when you are working in your studio, right? Can you tell me what kinds? (Question from Britta Konau)
A: I wear a paper surgical mask – the type that has become ubiquitous since COVID – bought from a local medical supply store. I thoroughly coat my hands with barrier cream – Art Guard – to prevent pastel getting into my skin. The cream has an added benefit of making it easy to wash pastel off my hands. (Neither gloves nor individual finger cots ever worked for me. They made my fingers sweat and did not allow for the fine touch needed to blend new colors directly on sandpaper. Plus, they shredded from being rubbed against the paper’s grit). Also, it is very important that you work with your hand below your face so pastel dust falls below your nose, where you are less likely to breathe it in.
Comments are welcome!
Q: Do you have air filters in your work space?
Pastel dust
A: No, but I wear a surgical mask when I work, to prevent breathing the pastel dust. Also, on my hands I use a barrier cream, called Artgard, to prevent pigment being absorbed into my skin through cuts. I take care that my head is always higher than my hand as I work, so the dust is below my mouth and nose. It may be hard to tell from the photo but my easel is tilted forward, allowing pastel dust to fall onto the easel and floor. I am well aware of the toxicity of pastel and believe I take the proper precautions. After twenty-six years working with soft pastel, so far I’ve managed to stay healthy.
Comments are welcome.
barbararachkoscoloreddust.com 