Drawing with Oil Pastels

Information courtesy of Reeves™

Unlike chalk pastels and watercolors, which have existed for centuries, oil pastels are a relatively new medium.  Whereas normal pastels can be diluted with water, oil pastels are soluble in turpentine, and can even be used in conjunction with oil paint.  The advantage of oil pastels is that they are completely dust free, and form a strong, durable bond with the paper.  This gives the finished piece a waxy sheen, which is quite different to the matte, powdery look of a traditional pastel drawing.

The strong, vibrant colors are ideas for creating quick, Impressionist-style work and can be used both for drawing and coloring.  The density of color is determined by how lightly or heavily the artist applies the pastel to the paper.  Oil pastels can be applies straight from the stick, or they can be blended together to create new colors and tones.  It is possible to use the length of the pastel stick to create broad slabs of color, or the tip, to draw as you would with a pencil.  Choice of paper is an integral part of oil pastel technique.  Textured and colored paper will help add interest to your work.

Preparation
Oil pastels create very little mess, and are not dusty like soft pastels, so they are very practical for use in the home.  Ideally, your paper should be taped onto a drawing board, which can then be angled to suit your posture.  You may need a jar of turpentine, a small brush and perhaps a knife for scraping the picture, depending on the techniques you use.  If you are indoors, make sure you have enough light.

Basic Exercises
Before you begin a picture, it is best to practice a few basic exercises.  An oil pastel stick is a very simple drawing tool, yet it is amazingly versatile.

Color can be applied in broad slabs by using the length of the stick, or in delicate, thin strokes with the tip or corner of the stick.  Colors are blended by using a variety of tools, such as burnishers, spoons, ballpoint pen caps, etc., depending on what effect you wish to achieve. Or colors can simply be laid on top of each other to create new colors and shades.

When dipped into turpentine, oil pastels dissolve and become very soft, making blending easier.

Turpentine washes are similar to watercolor washed, but dry very quickly.  Surplus color can be scraped off using a palette knife, either to remove mistakes or to create highlights.

Practice blending and overlaying colors, and also try to achieve a full tonal range from a color, from very pale through to full strength, by gradually applying more pressure to your strokes.

Composition
Choosing subject matter is a very personal thing.  If you are inexperienced, avoid complex compositions.  You will become frustrated and abandon the picture.  It is better to tackle a simple scene and do it well.  Before committing yourself to paper, consider the scene from different angles and distances until you settle on the best view point.  Work out which section of the scene you are going to draw and sketch out the basic lines of the composition with the tip of your pastel.  You can use one pale color to this or change colors according to what you are drawing.  i.e. a blue outline for a blue book, a yellow outline for the lemon, etc.  Alternatively, you can use a normal graphite pencil.  Do not concern yourself with too much detail at this stage.  Correct any mistakes with a soft putty eraser to avoid scuffing the paper surface.

Finishing Touches
Oil pastel pictures are traditionally framed under glass, with a bevel-cut mount card.  This prevents the surface of the picture from touching the glass and causing damage.  Most professional artists allow a margin around their work rather than drawing straight to the edge.  This space is useful for testing colors prior to drawing, and also helps the framer to site the mount.

Care of Oil Pastels
Oil pastels are very easy to look after.  Simply keep them in their protective box, and try not to drop them, as they break very easily!  Avoid extreme temperatures.

Comments

[Donna Lee]

These are very good tips and easy to remember for beginners like me.
Donna