Drawing With Oil Pastels

Use a primary oil pastel color palette can result in interesting combinations. These pastels do not require mixing or the use of agents such as turpenoid. You can use Canson paper, canvas, drawing paper, construction paper or smooth cardboard as a surface. These colored sticks are bright and vibrant in nature and, with different strokes, you can produce some spectacular variations in your drawing. These steps will guide you through the basic use of oil pastels using simple strokes. Some oil pastels may be toxic, so read the packaging carefully.

Things You'll Need

• Clean rag or cloth
• Pencil
• Oil Pastel sticks (your choice of colors)
• Fixative Spray
• Cotton swabs
• Styrofoam plate or wood tray
• Drawing surface (your choice)
• Tracingpaper
• Wax paper
• Transfer paper
• 1/2" Stiff bristle paint brush (optional)

Instructions

1. Set up the work place in a clean environment. The table should be clear of debris and your materials should be kept handy by using a tray to keep them together. Place your colors in the tray as you paint for easy access. Trace or draw you design onto the surface and start filling in the design with the sticks working from the center out toward the edges of the paper. Place a piece of wax paper under your hand so colors don't get smudged or embedded into your clothing.

2. Broad stroke marks set side by side will give you bands of color that create a sense of movement. Peel the paper from the pastel stick and lay the stick on its side to produce wider strokes of color. Short tick marks (choppy strokes) using the sharp edge of the pastel offers a wispy look to the drawing. To blend colors, use a cotton swab or stiff bristle brush to pull the colors into one another. Use a different swab for each color. Wipe the brush often on a clean cloth.

3. Pointillism is a dot method of drawing. Making pointed dots on the surface will create an open effect that suggests reflective light. Filler backgrounds can be made with the pointed edge of the pastels using soft line strokes. Apply layers of color by working one over the other to produce a soft, rich quality to your drawing. Contrasting colors--such as red and orange or blue and green--work well for this.

4. To remove oil pastel from the surface, use the cotton swabs to pick up the color. Once the drawing is finished, spray it with fixative to seal the pastels and protect them. Spraying should be done in a well-ventilated area.

Tips & Warnings

• Try using a pointed edge of a scissor or penknife to scrape away colors for an engraved method.

• Some pastel sticks come in jumbo sizes for large areas.

• Practice on a sheet of paper before actually starting your drawing.

• Oil pastels may be toxic, so read the labels carefully before buying.