Pastel painting is enjoying a renaissance in artistic and public popularity after a long period of neglect. A pastel painting is created when pastel completely covers the surface and when not all the surface is covered, it is referred to as a pastel sketch. When a pastel painting is framed under glass, it is the most permanent of all mediums, as it has no liquid binder which may cause darkening, fading or cracking with time, as can be the case with some mediums. Pastel paintings are of one of my favorite places to go immerse myself in the splendor of autumn.