What are oil pastels?
Oil pastels come in sticks (mostly) or crayons. They are basically a mix of pigments, waxes, and mineral oils. Oil pastels are a great medium; they offer a similar greasy finish to that of oil paint; they can be applied to multiple surfaces; they have great color intensity; they add texture to the work of art; and they are easily blendable and ideal for larger surfaces.
Are oil pastels good alternatives to oil paint?
In my humble opinion, nothing beats paint and a brush. But oil pastels are perfect for beginners, and here’s why: Oil painting requires so much more preparation and a lot more materials than oil pastels. The latter is quick, easy, and does not require any brushes or solvents.Therefore, oil pastels are ideal to travel with and make no mess. Oil pastels are also way more affordable than oil paint and its mediums. They also come with the possibility of being scratched off, built up, blended, used to look like wet paint, or used dry.
How do you use oil pastels in your art?
Any painting or drawing technique is going to be tricky for a total beginner. How to draw with oil pastels as a beginner and how to blend them is something you need to practice and experiment with before you can move to create your desired artwork. Oil pastels, like every other medium, require some techniques and tips to make the art process easier.
Tips for oil pastel drawing for beginners
When learning to use oil pastels, it is always good to look for some tips as well as dos and don’ts of your medium. The following tips are ones that I found very helpful in my first experience with oil pastels.
- Oil Pastels could be hard or soft depending on the brand. Make sure you try different ones to find your favorite.
- Temperature does affect the hardness of oil pastels. Make sure you store them properly as heat can make them softer and coldness can make them harder.
- Give it the time it needs; any experimentation is tricky and will take practice for you to develop your skills.
- Different surfaces for different outcomes. I love canvases and wood panels, but you may love paper more.
- You can pre-blend oil pastels (in a palette with a bit of oil just like in oil paint) to see the exact color you will be using.
- Feel free to mix and match your mediums in one artwork.
- Try not to rest your hand on the paper while using the pastels as it will smudge. You can use an artist’s glove or place a piece of folded paper between your hand and the already drawn areas
- .Clean off the oil pastel tips between uses and when blending colors to avoid any muddy hues.
- Oil pastels on paper can be placed in plastic file folder sheets to protect them from smudging.
Oil pastel drawing for beginners: the don’ts
- Do not use oil paint varnish to finish off oil pastel drawings. Although they are similar to oil paint, oil pastels contain waxes as well which doesn’t work well with varnish. You’ve been warned.
- To care for your oil pastel drawing, do not store or display your oil pastel artwork at high temperatures because it will smudge.