Pastels & Watercolor Painting Tips
Perhaps it is time to get inventive with your watercolor painting. Why not experiment by adding pastels and see where they take you? Pastels are available in a very soft consistency to solid sticks, and are either water or oil-based. Put in your watercolor washes for landscapes, portraits and still life and do the rest with pastels.
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Background
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It's best to do the background washes with light and pure colors. You may have a particular plan in mind or let the paint inspire you. Use transparent colors such as cobalt blue, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre and burnt sienna to have a subdued wash. Paint your wash in one color or combine several hues. The colors can overlap each other, creating more colors or you can keep them separate in defined lines. The watercolor paint can establish the basic light and dark contrast on your complete painting.
Pastel Drawing
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When the watercolor paint is dry, and you are satisfied with the colors, begin your pastel portion of the art project. Start with either a realistic drawing or abstract shapes and lines. After you are satisfied with your pastel addition, add some opaque watercolors such as cadmium red and yellow or cerulean blue. Try blending your pastels with a special blender stick or your finger. The transparent watercolor and opaque pastels work well together for more impact.
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Oil Pastels and Watercolor
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After your watercolor wash is completely dry to the touch, use oil pastels for your drawing and content. Oil pastels generally do not smudge and achieve clear and concise drawings due to their hard texture. They are suitable for those who enjoy detailed composition. Oil pastels are less expensive than water-based pastels.
Wet Paint and Pastel
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Add something different to your painting with the application of a soft pastel drawing while the watercolor paint is still damp to the touch. You can draw small or very large areas on the wet paper. This technique establishes unusual textures and designs, but will require some experimentation on your part. Try drawing with pastel pencils for more specific and detailed drawings on the paper.
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