How to paint with pastels

Video: How To Begin Painting With Soft Pastels?

Content

Method 2 of 3: Working with materials
Method 3 of 3: Painting with pastels
Tips
Warnings
What do you need

1 Decide what kind of pastels you want to use. Pastels come in many different varieties, including oil pastels, hard and soft pastel crayons, and pastel pencils, each with its own distinctive features.

Oil pastel is a paint with the addition of wax and inert oil.

2 Find out what types of paper are used for drawing with pastels. Pastel paper comes in a variety of textures and weights, but is usually rougher than the paper used for acrylic or watercolor painting. This is because the pastel does not adhere to a perfectly smooth surface.

Pastel drawing paper comes in different colors, since it is convenient to draw with this paint on colored paper, as a result of which the colors are more saturated.
Pastel paper is sometimes made corrugated. This means that on one side its texture consists of lines located close to each other, and on the other it has a slightly speckled surface. Another type of paper for drawing with pastels is silicon carbide (wet and dry) or coarse sandpaper. These types of paper are easy to experiment with.

3 Buy pastels and paper from your local art store. If you are not sure which type of pastel and paper is best to use, try purchasing several types of both, after which, through experiment, you will determine which materials you like best.

Although soft and hard pastel crayons and pastel pencils cannot be used interchangeably, they can be combined with each other in the same drawing. At the same time, oil pastels do not mix well with other types of pastel paints. Keep this in mind when buying paint.

Method 2 of 3: Working with materials

1 Examine the properties of each material. Oil pastels, hard and soft crayons, and pastel pencils have different properties that you will learn about as you work.
- Draw a line on the paper with each type of pastel. Notice how crisp the lines are.
- When using a pastel pencil, you will probably notice that it resembles a traditional lead pencil, not only in appearance, but also in the clarity of the strokes.
- Take a soft pastel pencil and note its soft consistency. When using this pencil, observe exactly how the paint is distributed depending on the applied force with which you draw lines.
- Apply hard pastels to a piece of paper. Experiment with drawing techniques. Draw a line with the tip of the chalk, and then do the same with the side surface. Pay attention to the differences between the lines. Press it harder at first and then softer and notice how the lines differ from each other.
2 Experiment with combinations of different types of pastels. Try mixing colors and try to draw clear lines on top of other colors.
- This experiment will help you develop the skills you need to paint with pastels.
3 Experiment with purchased paper. If you are using separate sheets of paper, you can glue them to your work surface with masking tape so that you don't have to constantly hold onto them.
- Examine the "roughness" of the pastel paper. Roughness indicates how much ink the paper can handle. Coarser paper allows more pastels to be applied. Paper that is too smooth is more difficult to use if you plan to apply multiple coats of paint.
- Find out how the color of the paper affects the mood of the painting. Dark red paper gives a warmer sheen, while light tone paper creates a softer, muted effect.

Method 3 of 3: Painting with pastels

1 Think over the picture and first draw a light sketch on paper with a graphite pencil. Draw general silhouettes, objects and buildings. This will help you decide how to arrange the main elements of the painting.
2 Paint over the main areas with color. Look at the sketch and choose the base color needed for the largest area of the painting.
- Paint over the outlines of the main elements with a light touch of pastel. Once you are sure of the correct positioning of the elements of the design, draw harder and more clearly defined lines.
- To lighten the area, apply white pastel over it, then paint over with color. If the drawing is still too dark, erase the paint with an eraser and color it again.
3 Apply additional layers of paint. Outline the elements of the picture with more saturated dark strokes as soon as you finish painting them.
4 Mix colors and apply pastels in layers of different colors to achieve the desired effect. Add small curls, but remember to paint in the same direction, making the strokes rougher. ...
- Mix colors and create outlines of the elements of the picture using a pastel pencil.
5 Rub the paints with your fingers, a shading stick, or a sharpened brush. This will give a finished look and dramatically improve the overall look of the drawing.
- Add small details using a small amount of pastel on the tip of a sharpened brush. Fine-tipped tools make it easy to add small details like light falling into the eyes, even if you're using a pastel pencil.
- Create softer corners with a rounded white eraser. Just rub in the colors with soft strokes, making the lines subtle.
- You can also blend paints with styrofoam granules. This removes the hassle of rubbing paint with your fingertips and allows you to gently blend colors. Styrofoam granules also protect fingers from rubbing against the rough paper surface.
6 Secure the image with a clip. Unlike traditional liquid paints, pastels are vulnerable to damage and are easily smudged by touching the surface. To prevent this from happening, you can buy a retainer from your local artist store.
- You can also frame your drawing with a glass frame. This will protect the painting from accidental damage.
7 Enjoy your creation!

Tips

To add lines over the drawing, wait for the paint to harden, which will take 1-2 days, then add lines. Pastels never dry completely, but over time they harden slightly and practically stop smearing.

Warnings

Be careful when blowing pastel dust off paper in an enclosed space, as this ink dust is toxic and can enter the lungs. Wear a face mask or blow dust outside.