How To Get Started With Pastels Artwork

Painting with pastels provides an exceptional method of creating artwork with the same advantages of conventional paints and acrylic or watercolor pigments.  Pastels are essentially an artistic medium that is available in stick form.  They contain a binder and pure powdered pigment. 

Oil pastels and soft pastels are the two types available.  The best oil pastels are harder to clean and often require solvents; however, they do not leave powdered pigment behind.  Soft pastels are easier to clean and can be easily blended with your fingertips. However, they produce dust.  Below are some of the supplies needed to get started with pastels:

Pastels

A number of different brands of pastels are available.  If you are not certain about what to choose, going to an art supply store might be a very good idea.  This way you could get to test them out on paper.  Additionally, you will be able to get a feel for the quality of each pastel.

Surface

Either board or paper will be needed to draw on.  Paper is most commonly used with pastels; however, wooden boards are now available.  Personal taste will ultimately determine your preference for paper or board.  Therefore, it is important to try out a few different types of boards and papers to determine your preference. 

Drawing Table

If you already have a drawing board that can be angled in certain directions, your pastel board or paper can simply be placed on the table to work.  Otherwise, your paper can be attached to a well-made drawing board.

Colored Pencil

These are remarkable for laying out a composition prior to drawing.  Use colored pencils that match or are the same as the color as what is going over them when your underdrawing is being created.  For example, use a light sienna or umber pencil to outline trees or golden fields.

Tape

Get an easily-removable, acid-free tape.  The purpose of this tape is to attach your artwork paper to the drawing table.  Good artist tape has a moderate to low tack adhesive that can be removed or re-positioned without damaging paper surfaces or leaving behind a sticky residue.

Blending Tools

Your fingers can be used for blending or you can invest in some blending tools if you so desire.  One tool commonly used is a pastel shaper.  Shaped like a paint brush, many of these have a silicon tip which does not absorb the material and are easy to clean.  Of course, brushes will do the trick as well.  Fan and blender brushes can be used for feathering and scrubbing pigments.

Fixative

The best oil pastels are constantly in danger of being smudged.  As such, there are some pastel artists who use spray fixatives to keep the particles in place.  However, many artists will not use any fixatives.  Fixatives typically have a dulling or darkening effect on the vibrancy of pastels; therefore, they should be used with caution.

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