How To Paint with Oil Pastels

Oil pastels are a versatile and exciting medium that can be used to create beautiful, textured artwork with ease. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, oil pastels offer a range of possibilities, from bold and expressive strokes to soft, blended gradients. The key to mastering oil pastels is understanding their unique properties, techniques, and the types of surfaces best suited for their application. This guide will explore everything you need to know to get started with oil pastels, including tools, techniques, tips for blending, and creating dynamic compositions.

What Are Oil Pastels?

Oil pastels are sticks of pigment mixed with a non-drying oil and wax binder. They are soft, smooth, and highly pigmented, making them a popular choice for artists who seek bold color and texture. Unlike chalk pastels, which are powdery and dustier, oil pastels are resistant to smudging and can be used on a variety of surfaces. They combine the ease of use of crayons with the richness of oil paints, offering an expressive and dynamic medium for both fine artists and hobbyists.

Characteristics of Oil Pastels

• Vibrant Colors: Oil pastels provide intense, vivid colors that stand out on the canvas.
• Smooth Texture: The oil and wax binder gives them a creamy texture, making them easy to apply in thick or thin layers.
• Blending Capability: Oil pastels can be blended to create smooth transitions and gradients, though they don't require the same level of precision as traditional oil painting.
• Durability: Once applied, oil pastels maintain their vibrant color and texture for an extended period, and they don't dry out like traditional paint.
• Layering Potential: The oil in the pastels allows for layering without disturbing the colors underneath, which is particularly useful for creating depth and texture.

Basic Supplies for Oil Pastel Painting

Before you start painting with oil pastels, it's important to have the right materials. Here's a list of essential tools and supplies that will help you get started:

1. Oil Pastel Sticks: Choose a high-quality set of oil pastels that provide a broad range of colors. Brands like Sennelier, Pentel, and Cray-Pas offer reliable options for both beginners and professionals.
2. Paper or Surface: While you can use oil pastels on a variety of surfaces, textured paper designed for oil pastels is ideal. These papers hold the pigment well and allow for smooth blending. You can also use canvas or board prepared with an acrylic primer.
3. Palette Knives: Palette knives are useful for scraping and blending oil pastels or for creating texture in your artwork.
4. Blending Tools: While you can use your fingers to blend oil pastels, blending stumps, tortillons (paper blending tools), or soft brushes can provide a more controlled blending technique.
5. Fixative (Optional): Although oil pastels don't require fixatives to stay in place, applying a light layer of spray fixative can help prevent smudging, especially if you're working in layers.
6. Rags or Paper Towels: These are useful for cleaning your hands or wiping away excess pastel when needed.

Techniques for Using Oil Pastels

Oil pastels are versatile and allow for a wide variety of artistic techniques. Below, we explore some of the basic methods that will help you understand how to use oil pastels effectively.

1. Basic Strokes and Mark Making

One of the first things to master when using oil pastels is how to make different types of strokes. These include:

• Bold, Thick Strokes: Press the oil pastel firmly against the surface to create thick, vibrant lines. This is ideal for creating bold outlines, color blocks, or areas of solid color.
• Fine, Thin Lines: Use the tip of the oil pastel for precise, thin lines. You can achieve delicate details by holding the pastel at a shallow angle.
• Short, Choppy Strokes: Use short, quick strokes to create texture or a rough, gestural feel. This technique is great for expressive or abstract artwork.

2. Layering and Building Up Color

Layering is one of the most important techniques when working with oil pastels. You can layer multiple colors to create depth, intensity, and texture. Start by applying a light layer of pastel, then build up additional layers for more vibrancy. Since oil pastels do not dry quickly, you can work back and forth with layers, allowing you to refine your image.

• First Layer: Begin with a light underpainting layer of pastel. This can be a base color that will help guide the rest of your work.
• Adding Layers: After the first layer is laid down, add additional layers in different colors. Don't be afraid to layer dark tones over lighter ones or vice versa. Oil pastels are quite forgiving in this way.
• Texturing: By adding multiple layers of oil pastels, you can create rich textures that evoke depth and form. You can use a palette knife to scrape away layers for interesting textures or even create a scratchboard effect.

3. Blending

Blending is an essential skill when working with oil pastels, as it allows you to create smooth transitions of color, gradients, and soft textures. There are several ways to blend oil pastels:

• Finger Blending: One of the easiest methods is blending with your fingers. Gently rub the oil pastel with your fingers to soften the lines and create a smooth transition between colors.
• Blending Stumps: These are paper tools designed specifically for blending. Use them to control blending, especially for finer details or smaller areas.
• Brushes: Soft, natural-bristled brushes can be used to blend oil pastels, particularly for large areas.
• Palette Knives: You can use a palette knife to gently scrape, mix, or blend oil pastels for a more textured, impasto-like effect.
• Solvents: For smoother blends, you can use a solvent, such as odorless mineral spirits or turpentine. Apply the solvent with a brush to soften the pastels and blend the colors.

4. Creating Texture

Oil pastels are perfect for creating a variety of textures, from smooth and glossy to rough and gritty. You can experiment with different tools and techniques to produce texture in your artwork.

• Scraping: After applying layers of oil pastels, you can use a palette knife or even your fingernail to scrape the surface and reveal underlying colors. This creates a texture that is especially useful for landscape or abstract art.
• Impasto: Apply a thick layer of oil pastel directly onto the surface to create a textured, three-dimensional effect. This can give your artwork a sculptural quality.
• Stippling: Use small, repetitive strokes to create a stippled effect. This technique works well for creating a rough, dotted texture.

5. Using a Wash for Soft Effects

Though oil pastels are not water-soluble, you can use them with a wash-like effect. This method involves applying the pastels to a surface and then lightly blending them with a solvent to create a more fluid, watercolor-like appearance. The solvent softens the pastels and allows them to flow, creating a unique ethereal effect.

• Apply the Oil Pastel: Begin by applying oil pastel to your surface in areas where you want a soft wash effect.
• Add Solvent: Use a small amount of solvent to gently blend the pastel. The solvent will break down the wax and create a fluid, smooth texture.

6. Fixing and Finishing

Once you've completed your artwork, you may want to fix the surface to preserve the colors and prevent smudging.

• Spray Fixative: Lightly spray a fixative to seal your painting and protect it from dust, dirt, or accidental smudging. Use a fixative designed for oil pastels for the best results.
• Keep It Clean: Oil pastels can attract dust, so be mindful of where you store your artwork. Framing your painting under glass is another way to protect it.

Tips for Working with Oil Pastels

Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind when working with oil pastels:

1. Work on a textured surface: Oil pastels adhere best to surfaces with texture, such as watercolor paper, canvas, or board. Textured surfaces provide more "grip" for the pastels and allow you to layer and blend more easily.
2. Don't over-blend: While blending is essential for smooth transitions, over-blending can remove the vibrancy of the colors and make the work appear flat. Keep some of the texture intact to maintain the richness of the pastels.
3. Experiment with color combinations: Oil pastels are incredibly versatile and can be used to mix colors in new ways. Don't be afraid to experiment with unconventional color palettes and combinations.
4. Use a light touch: When layering or blending, try using a light touch to avoid making the pastel too thick. This will allow you to maintain control over your work and create delicate effects.

Conclusion

Oil pastels offer endless creative possibilities for artists of all skill levels. Whether you're creating detailed portraits, vibrant landscapes, or abstract pieces, oil pastels can help you achieve rich, textured, and expressive works of art. By mastering basic techniques like layering, blending, and texturing, you can unlock the full potential of this dynamic medium. With practice and experimentation, you'll develop your own unique approach to painting with oil pastels, and you'll find new ways to explore and express your artistic vision.

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