How to Draw With Pastel Pencils

Some artists prefer to draw with pastel pencils rather than pastel chalks. A thin strip of pastel inside the pencil gives the finished drawing a stronger composition than the more delicate pastel chalks. Pastel pencils keep your hands clean, too, so if you want the precise look of pastels without the mess, here's how to draw with pastel art pencils.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Easel
• Matte cardstock or pastel art paper
• Pencil sharpener
• Kneaded eraser
• Spray fixative
• Pastel art pencils

1. Choose the best set of pastel pencils for your needs. Large art stores like Blick and Utrecht offer a wide selection of pastel sets and single pencils. Some makers, like Faber Castell, sell oil-based pencils as well as plain ones. Gather ancillary supplies, like a kneaded eraser, easel and sharpener.

2. Decide what type of paper to use. Matte cardstock makes blending colors easier, though some artists use paper that's specifically designed to allow the pastels to "stick" to it. Pastel art papers come in sanded and unsanded varieties.

3. Learn how to layer for color and effect. After you've sketched the outline, apply color sparingly, in a circular motion. Some pastel pencil shades tend to be brighter than their chalk counterparts. You'll need to let the pastel dry before adding shading and contouring colors.

4. Blend the colors. Use your fingers or a cotton swab and work the color out from the center of the image using the same circular motion used when drawing.

5. Spray the finished product with a fixative. Similar to a primer coat used over house paint, a transparent fixative will seal the drawing and eliminate dust and smudging.

[utrechtart]

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