The Differences Between Oil & Soft Pastels
As early as the 16th century, famous artists like French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgard Degas and "Pastel Master" James Whistler have used pastel in creating their masterpieces. In the current generation, soft pastels are the most common type used; however, an alternative medium --- oil pastels --- are also a medium that art students, as well as budding and professional artists, use. Some distinct features differentiate oil and soft pastels.
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Contents
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Soft pastel and oil pastel both contain rich ground pigments. Soft pastels are combined with a small amount of kaolin or white chalk and gum arabic. Wax and non-drying oils are used as binders for oil pastel, which make for its texture and color. Oil pastels are often confused with oil paints, though pastels do not dry out or harden completely.
Touch and Feel
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Texture and consistency of these pastels can be attributed to their above-mentioned contents. Because of the chalk binders of soft pastels, they have drier and rougher matte finish. Soft pastels do not adhere firmly to the surface, which is why they can be brushed or taped off. With a more moist binder, oil pastels have a wax-like consistency with a creamier, silky feel.
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Colors and Hue
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Oil pastels offer more intense hues than soft pastels; however, they are also trickier to blend. Soft pastels produce a delicate chromatic radiance since the colors hold with a "powdery" texture on the paper's surface. Both soft and oil pastels are capable of producing a range of soft colors to more vibrant hues; colors are usually blended by smudging the pastel with the fingers or a damp cloth.
Paper and Surface
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Both soft and oil pastels work on pretty much all types of surfaces, but surfaces with "tooth" are best for both. The tooth texture is needed to make sure the pastel sticks to the surface, which is difficult on smoother surfaces. You can also use cloth and board, but you need to stretch cloths completely prior to use. For oil pastels, prime the surface with gesso to ensure that the waxy binders are not absorbed by the strands of paper fiber or cloth, as it can make the pastels dull in color.
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