1.  Can I apply the techniques of acrylic painting to pastel painting?
Absolutely, you would apply the same techniques (composition, design, perspective, color mixing, values, etc.) to all mediums. The application is different but the concept, from a technical point of view, is the same.

2.  What type of paper is best to use pastels on?
When using pastels, It is recommend you use a high quality drawing paper. This can be found at most good art stores.

3.   I was given a set of oil pastels. I know nothing about them - they look like crayons. How do I use them?
Oil pastels can be frustrating to work with and there are no shortcuts or tricks. You actually do use them sort of like crayons. The only difference is that you can smudge them with your finger to blend them. You can also use a little bit of medium like linseed oil, or turpentine or any other oil-based medium to help soften and blend them. You can also use a bristle brush to blend or even a paper towel or a paper stump that artists use to blend regular pastels. The best thing to do is just experiment and find what works best for you.

4.  I have a question about framing pastels. I did not use a fixative as I did not feel it required this during the process of painting the pastel.  Now I am faced with how to transport it to get it framed. How do you frame a pastel painting?
You must apply a fixative to the painting before you can frame it. The painting should be matted or have a spacer between the pastel and the glass. The glass cannot touch the surface of the painting.

5.  What are the paintings surfaces recommended for pastels?                               You can use colored charcoal paper and drawing paper, vellum, untempered masonite, 300 lb. Arches watercolor paper, 112 rough watercolor board and hot press watercolor board or illustration board.