Instructions for Oil Pastels

Oil pastels are a fairly new medium of art.

Oil pastels are a fairly new medium of art, similar to chalk pastels and watercolors. However, the technique for using oil pastels is quite different. While chalk can easily be blended using water, oil pastels must be blended with turpentine or another similar substance. For beginners, using oil pastels might be a little intimidating. But after learning proper preparation, care, drawing and blending techniques, you will be on your way to creating oil pastel art work.

Things You'll Need

• Drawing or pastel paper
• Drawing board
• Tape
• Oil pastels
• Small cup of turpentine
• Small paint brush

Instructions

1. Prepare your work space and pastels. Tape your drawing or pastel paper onto your drawing board. This will ensure that your paper will not move while you are creating your piece of art. It doesn’t have to be taped on completely straight. Place the pastels near you for easy access. Put the paint brush and a cup of turpentine nearby too.

2. Practice drawing techniques. Apply strokes onto your paper with your chosen color. You can make broad strokes with the entire body of your oil pastels, or smaller strokes by using the tip of your pastels. Practice blending by applying different colors on top of each other. After you have applied different colors, dip the tip of the paint brush in the turpentine and paint over your blending layers. Your pastels will take on a softer feel and be completely blended.

3. Tape another piece of paper on your drawing board to begin your composition. Visualize the look you want to work with. Your art piece doesn’t have to be a house or outside scene, and it can be abstract. You don't need detail at this point. Simply sketch out your design with the tip of your oil pastels. Use a putty eraser to fix any mistakes. Add color to your drawing once you have sketched your initial drawing.

4. Place the oil pastels in their protective box when you're finished working with them. This will keep them from breaking. Also, keep your pastels cool in storage so they don't melt, causing the colors to run.

References

• Reeves-art.com: Oil Pastel Instructions
• Elfwood.com: Oil Pastels