If you love to draw but want to get that look of paint, then oil pastels are the way to go. Here is an overview of how to go from drawing to painting with oil pastels.
Pastel, for many artists who love to draw, is painting at its finest. There's no water to worry about, no special brushes, no messy clean-up. Best of all, though, it lets the artist who mainly draws get the look of a painting while still getting to draw.
Getting Started with Oil Pastel
To get started, of course, you will need to chose your pastels. There are a wide range of brands, but don't let this scare you. Any brand that is not student grade will be just fine to start with. Student grade is too waxy and doesn't blend as well as artist quality pastels. As you progress you may find that a different brand will lend itself more to the look you want.
You don't have to buy a huge amount, at least at first. A set of 24 is usually enough to get a good range of colors.
Choosing a Canvas
The next thing to think about is canvas. There are many different options for the pastel artist to chose from. Many artists chose a heavy grade of pastel paper. This paper comes with a "tooth", or a gritty surface that grabs the pigment of the oil pastel. Others chose ordinary oil canvas, which has a raised grain to it that is perfect for holding layers of oil pastel. Yet another choice is sandpaper. To learn more about papers read this article.
Drawing and Painting
Now that you have your main two supplies, you can start to draw. Lightly sketch out your painting onto your surface using a soft lead pencil, making sure not to indent the surface. Pastel will not get caught in an area that is indented as well as it does on the rest of the canvas, which will lead to lines of uneven color.
Next, go over your pencil lines with the main color you are going to use in that area. Also, lay down your first layer of color. This layer will be very light and transparent. Don't worry if there is canvas showing through; that will get covered up in the next layers.
Layering
Some artist prefer layering light colors over dark and others prefer dark over light. Plan your painting before hand and decide which technique will work better for your painting. For the whitest whites, leave the area that will be white free of pastel.
Beware of adding too many layers: this will also muddy the surface of the painting because the "tooth" of your surface will no longer be able to grab the pastel. If you do make a mistake like this, you may be able to save the painting by wiping out the offending area with a dry cloth wrapped around your index finger.
As you add layers and colors, you can blend the pastel with your fingers or with cotton swabs. Your fingers also will add heat, melting the pastels into each other, making them more paint-like. The friction from drawing with the pastels will also melt the pastels on the surface. You can also add oil or melt pastels to get a more painterly look. For more information on this technique see How to Paint with Pastels.
Finishing Your Painting
To finish, let your painting harden. The time it takes for a pastel to harden varies according to the number of layers used. You may want to add a fixative to ensure the life of your painting as well.
Tip: Do not use glass to frame your painting unless it has a mat spacer to keep the glass off of the pastel.
The copyright of the article How to Use Oil Pastels in Painting/Drawing is owned by Alina Bradford. Permission to republish How to Use Oil Pastels in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
What are some specific things that you would like to know about pastels?
All your questions will be answered!
May 4, 2008 11:38 AM
Guest :
im 11 years old and im a great drawer my teacher tells me i have the
qiulaties of a year 12 drawer my mum even said im a great drawer this is a
great web site thank you for making it xxx
May 6, 2008 10:41 AM
Guest :
Hi I'm 12 and was doing a drawing/painting rendered in oil pastels this sight really helped me.Does anyone know if oil patels will work on
acrylic paper?Thanks again.
Aug 23, 2008 12:56 PM
Guest :
Can you use oil pastels in conjunction with oil paints on canvas?
Aug 23, 2008 7:49 PM
Alina Bradford :
You can use oil pastels with oil paint, but make sure that you use that old
saying "fat over lean" so that your painting dries properly.
Aug 30, 2008 10:12 AM
Guest :
Hi! I just discovered pastels and I am very excited. Can you oil pastels
and regular pastels together?
Aug 30, 2008 5:41 PM
Alina Bradford :
No, these two pastel types are very different. Mixing them would end up in
a muddy mess. :) Thanks for the question! Alina
Aug 31, 2008 1:41 PM
Guest :
Hi, I am a hard of hearing! I want to know what happen if you used a paper
towel... Does it help blend the oil pastel? That all I need to know!
Thanks! :)
Aug 31, 2008 5:56 PM
Alina Bradford :
Paper towel will smudge the pastels, but won't do a good job of blending
them. Your fingers are probably the best tool because it heats the oil in
the pastel. Alina
Sep 9, 2008 3:17 PM
Guest :
FYI, oil pastels don't ever dry. To display them you need to put them
under glass or apply a fixative if possible.
Sep 11, 2008 7:55 PM
Guest :
how do you add a fixative, and what are they? Thank you Judi
Sep 19, 2008 4:11 PM
Guest :
Oil Pastel fixative by Sennelier is the only fixative that works for oil
pastels. Oil pastels and oil paint do not work together unless you use oil
pastels with a dryer like Sennlier's Fluid n' Dry. The Sennelier Oil
Pastels are the best to use. They are so soft. Created for Picasso by
Sennelier.
Sep 20, 2008 2:50 PM
Alina Bradford :
Actually, there are other oil pastel fixatives on the market. For example,
Royal Talens Artists' Oil Pastel Fixative is one you may want to try.
Oct 1, 2008 12:35 AM
Guest :
can i use cotton balls?
Oct 18, 2008 6:45 PM
Guest :
What kind of pastel is best to use when you want to go over the picture in
water colour?
Oct 20, 2008 5:53 PM
Guest :
Can you use hair spray as a fixative for oil pastels? It works great w/my
chalk pastel works.
Oct 27, 2008 5:02 AM
Guest :
what kind of solvent would you recommend to a begginer in iol pastel
painting? can i use vegetable oil?
Oct 27, 2008 9:30 AM
Alina Bradford :
Here are my answers to the latest questions: Guest : can i use
cotton balls?
Yes, they work well for blending small amounts.
Guest : What kind of pastel is best to use when you want to go
over the picture in water colour?
I like soft pastels best. Oils
don't work well with the medium because they repel water. Soft pastels
actually look like watercolors when they are wet.
Oct 20, 2008
5:53 PM Guest : Can you use hair spray as a fixative for oil
pastels? It works great w/my chalk pastel works.
No, I wouldn't
use hairspray. It may make the colors run.
Guest : what
kind of solvent would you recommend to a beginner in oil pastel painting?
can i use vegetable oil?
Vegetable oil turns yellow and ruins
the colors of your pastels. I would recommend a good linseed oil.
Nov 15, 2008 11:49 AM
Guest :
Hi Alina. thank you for your wonderful & informative article. I wanted
to use oil pastels with epoxy resin to make a jewelry piece. Is it safe to
use resin with oil pastel? Can I use resin as a fixative by itself? Or
should I add fixative over the oil pastels before using the resin? Will the
fixative react with the resin and just cause a horrible mess? Thank
you for taking the time to answer all of these questions. It's much
appreciated!!
Nov 15, 2008 2:43 PM
Guest :
Hi Alina. thank you for your wonderful & informative article. I wanted
to use oil pastels with epoxy resin to make a jewelry piece. Is it safe to
use resin with oil pastel? Can I use resin as a fixative by itself? Or
should I add fixative over the oil pastels before using the resin? Will the
fixative react with the resin and just cause a horrible mess? Thank
you for taking the time to answer all of these questions. It's much
appreciated!!
Nov 15, 2008 2:47 PM
Guest :
What is the best way to upload oil pastel images into the computer? Will scanning the image damage the painting?
Thank You.
Nov 16, 2008 3:27 PM
Alina Bradford :
I wouldn't scan a piece because pressing the painting to the scanning bed
may damage it. I take pictures of my work with a digital camera for the
best results. I'm not sure about adding resin to pastels. I've never
done that before.
Nov 19, 2008 4:51 AM
Guest :
Hello. Im 13 and my T.A.G. teacher wishes for me to make a mural. I was
curious as to if Oil Pastels were able to be placed on butcher paper aswell
without messing them up. Thank you!
~Texan With Questions~
Nov 19, 2008 10:00 AM
Alina Bradford :
Do you mean putting them on butcher paper to store them or are you planning
on painting on butcher paper? I wouldn't recommend painting on butcher
paper with pastels, but it is a fine place to store pastels as long as they
don't get warm.
Nov 19, 2008 3:42 PM
Guest :
Thank you Alina. I was accually thinking of using them on the butcher
paper. But, i see your point. Thank you Ma'am! ^^ Ill go to the store for a
canvas anywho. Have a wonderful day. ^^
Nov 21, 2008 10:31 AM
Guest :
I have a question about a painting I recently purchased. I thought it was
a complete oil on canvas, but after looking closer, I noticed that the face
of the young woman (its a portrait of a victorian woman) that is done with
pastel, and the rest of of her is covered with thick, oils. It's signed Wm
McIntosh, Aug. 16th, 1935. How old is this process? Please help me! Sincerely, Sheila
Nov 21, 2008 12:10 PM
Guest :
I want to get into pastels because I used them in highschool once and loved
it but for some reason never used them again. Actually you can make
beautiful pieces using pastels, the painting shown here as an example
though, is really poor in my opinion, and I only used pastels once and they
were student grade...
Nov 21, 2008 6:06 PM
Alina Bradford :
Quote: I have a question about a painting I recently purchased. I thought
it was a complete oil on canvas, but after looking closer, I noticed that
the face of the young woman (its a portrait of a victorian woman) that is
done with pastel, and the rest of of her is covered with thick, oils. It's
signed Wm McIntosh, Aug. 16th, 1935. How old is this process? Please help
me! Sincerely, Sheila
I'm not sure how old this
process is, but it is very common to mix oil pastel with oil paint in one
painting. The way you've described the situation, it sounds like the mixing
of the two will not compromise the integrity of the painting or its
stability. Thanks! Alina
Jan 17, 2009 2:31 PM
Guest :
haha that 11 year old is a right show off! there was no need to mention
that! haha that just made my day
Jan 21, 2009 2:44 AM
Guest :
apoorva thapa jan 21,2009,
my mom say that my drawing is well, but i dont think so.so please
help me.
Feb 19, 2009 5:41 AM
Guest :
im 13 and really great at drawing and for my b-day i got a set of 50 oil
pastles, but i had no idear how to use them and make my pic look awsome and
thanz to this website i can now make awsome pics with oil pastels thanz for
making this website. its crazy :)
Mar 2, 2009 10:20 AM
Guest :
Hi, Alina, Can watercolor paper be used for oil pastels? I am
looking for a project for 4th graders. Do you think they can handle oil
pastels without too much trouble?
Mar 2, 2009 10:31 AM
Alina Bradford :
I have used oil pastels on watercolor paper, but know that this is not
archival. After a few years the oil will start to wear down the paper. I think 4th graders won't have a problem with oil pastels. They are very
easy art tools to use. It's like a step up from crayons. ;)
Mar 7, 2009 9:31 AM
Guest :
Hi, I do a lot of sketching in my moleskine, but have only just discovered
oil pastels. Is it a bad idea to do any experimenting in my notebook, will
the pastels get smuged and rub onto other pages?
Mar 7, 2009 2:44 PM
Alina Bradford :
Oil pastels will rub onto other pages. They also are hard to build up on
thin paper. I would recommend using Conte crayons instead. Same kind of
feel with less mess.
Mar 7, 2009 7:24 PM
Guest :
This site is great! :)
Mar 13, 2009 5:36 PM
Guest :
Alina, I recommend that you stop advising artists to work from dark to
light in oil pastels. One simple cannot cover a very dark value with a
light one using oil pastels. They are just not opaque enough to do so.
One can, however, cover a dark tone with a lighter one, but the hue of both
will be compromised. Cheers, Lew
Mar 15, 2009 8:26 AM
Guest :
I just started using oil pastels, my wife was using them with the kids and
I got curious. I am rank amateur and I love how forgiving they are.
I have a problem adding white pastel over dark, the white just
blends in with the color underneath becoming invisible and it doesn't work
for light effects, etc.
I'm using a drawing paper, is it the
tooth. Or perhaps the pastel themselves? Or do you somehow add in shadows
last?
Thanks.
Mar 15, 2009 11:54 PM
Alina Bradford :
Thank you for your opinion. I find, though, that if you are using thin
layers you shouldn't have a problem. You should plan your painting before
hand and decide if the lighter color over the dark is going to accomplish
the affect you are looking for. This foresight comes from practice. Not
necessarily any hard and fast rules.I find when making white areas that it
is always best to leave that area free of pastel using a masking technique
or by just coloring around the area instead of trying to put white on top
of another color.
Mar 31, 2009 1:54 PM
Guest :
I must say I agree with Lew on the "Dark to Light" comment. That
rule applies with DRY pastels, as the pigment is more opaque. However, from
my experience, and all of my art professors' instruction, Light to dark
with oil pastels is a better way to go. Perhaps if you have mastered the
technique of oil painting you can change the method, but I suggest to
anyone- especially beginners, that you go light to dark.
May 18, 2009 3:42 PM
Guest :
Hello, I bought some oil pastels to use for a sidewalk chalk art festival
at my school. I am now questioning if oil pastels were the right choice.
What would you suggest?
May 18, 2009 4:18 PM
Alina Bradford :
Oil pastels are a great choice for beginning artist. I would suggest
reading some books on the subject and practicing.
Alina
May 18, 2009 4:31 PM
Guest :
Would they work alright on the sidewalk though? I'm concerned that they
won't wash off well (I plan to use them in the classroom as well, they seem
very versatile).
May 18, 2009 4:33 PM
Alina Bradford :
I have never heard of anyone using oil pastels for sidewalk art. No, they
won't wash off without some serious scrubbing. They are made with oil and
stick to just about anything, especially when they are warm.
May 18, 2009 4:48 PM
Guest :
Would they work alright on the sidewalk though? I'm concerned that they
won't wash off well (I plan to use them in the classroom as well, they seem
very versatile).
Jul 6, 2009 3:21 PM
Guest :
this site is so helpful i didnt even know how to use oil pastels but then i
was a pro
Aug 16, 2009 3:07 AM
Guest :
Hi Alina,
Cud u pls let me know wat kind of fixative is the best
for oil pastel paintings? This site is very informative.Keep up the
good work! :)
Aug 16, 2009 9:06 AM
Alina Bradford :
Sennelier Oil Pastel spray fixative are a popular choice.
Aug 24, 2009 8:43 PM
Guest :
how can we paint a eyes with realistic result? can you teach me one because
im fun of drawing using oil pastel but sadly my idea is lesser
Oct 19, 2009 3:30 PM
Guest :
I'm still really confused. Can someone please tell me the diffrence between
chalk, soft, hard, and oil pastels. Also I was wondering, which pastels
would be best to use if you want the coloring to look almost computer done
like you did it photoshop or something? It would really help me if I knew
this because I want my drawings to look computer colored, and my brithday
is coming up. If I know before my birthday what pastels I want I might have
a chance of getting them.
Oct 19, 2009 3:45 PM
Alina Bradford :
Hi, Chalk isn't considered pastels. Soft and hard pastels are made of
pigment in binder. They are a powdery medium. Oil pastels are pigment mixed
with oil. This medium is a lot like using oil paints. None of these
will give you the look of computer generated art. If you are looking for
smooth textures in you art, then the medium isn't as important as your
skill in using them. Hope that helps, Alina
Oct 22, 2009 4:03 PM
Guest :
I'm very new at this. I'm in high school and I am in a fine artsw class and
we will work with oil pastels at some point of the year. I have oil pastels
and this site is amazing!! but how can I make sure the colors will stay on
the page? is there some kind of spray I can put on it?
Oct 22, 2009 5:35 PM
Alina Bradford :
Oil pastels tend to get a film over them over time, just like oil paints.
This keeps them from rubbing off on other things. Make sure to keep you oil
pastel paintings in cool dry areas, too.
Oct 25, 2009 10:46 PM
Guest :
tell me how to draw by holding oil pastel making it x + y!
