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Pastels SectionDrawing with pastels goes back to the 16th century and was used by many famous masters including Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Whistler and Degas to name but a very few.
There are several qualities and brands and it is a widely respected art form in its own right.
Pastel sticks and pencils can produce intense, vivid colors not always possible with other media. Or they can be used for soft dream-like works by subtle blending and overlaying of related shades. As drawing instruments they need no drying time and can be used equally effectively for loose, impressionist work or very detailed compositions.
Basically, there are three types you need to be aware of initially...
1. Soft and hard pastels - the most common.
2. Pastel pencils - similar to hard pastels.
3. Oil pastels - the same pigments but bound in waxes and oils.
I've grouped the soft & hard variety together because they're more or less the same formula. It's just that some brands are manufactured to a slightly harder consistency than others which produces slightly different properties.
They can all be used on a wide variety of surfaces, from specialist Ingres textured paper to rough sandpaper. And there's a variety of accessories available to enhance your creative possibilities...
Have a look at the individual articles below to learn more about what you can achieve with this very popular and adaptable medium.
Pastels Articles
Pastel Pencil HorseIf you want to see how to draw a pastel pencil horse then here's just the thing to watch - it's a wonderful example by artist Mary Herbert....
Pastel TypesThis short video by Christine MacLellan gives the would-be pastel painter a quick insight into the various types of pastel...
Soft and hard pastels and pencilsSoft and hard pastels have been around since the 16th century and have been used by some of the world's most famous artists. They are extremely versatile and can produce intensely vibrant colors as well as (perhaps more obviously), soft subtle shades of pale tones...
Oil PastelsLearn everything you need to know about using oil pastels...
Pastel AccessoriesUsing a few, well chosen accessories can greatly enhance the quality of your work...
Pastel PaperWant to know what paper to use? Click here to find out more...
See Pastels Tips From Other Visitors
Click below to see pastel tips from other visitors...
Don't throw awaythose broken pastels I learned from Cheap Joe's catalogue to not throw away your crumbling, broken pastels. Pulverize them with a mortar, then mix in a bit of alcahol or mineral …
How to erase soft pastels I use scotch magic tape. It is has less glue and does not stick, tear, or leave glue on the paper. Put the sticky side down over the part you want to erase …
Suede Mat Board Suede Mat board is a wonderful surface for soft pastels. It absorbs so much color and is excellent if you are using many layers of color. It can be easily …
For Your Protection If you are like me and like to blend pastels with your fingers, there is a very good barrier cream made in Australia by Hamilton Pharmaceutical pty. …
Pastels on Black Paper You can buy acid free black construction paper at a large craft store or order it very inexpensively online. You get about 30 sheets for $5.00 Still-life …
Fixative Treat your pastel artwork with fixative after each layer. The colour & texture will NOT change providing you do not spray too close to the image itself …
My favorite pastel surface My favorite primer for watercolor paper whether I'm using dry (hard or soft) pastels or oil pastels is clear Colourfix sanded primer. A sanded surface …
Under painting in pastels To achieve greater depth in paintings, start your pastel with an under painting--start with hard pastels and darker colors, then build up with lighter …
How to clean soft pastels If you want to clean your soft pastels, simply immerse them in a jar of uncooked, dry rice. Depending on how many you will be cleaning at any one time, …
Hard and Soft Pastels: Know Your Composition and Colors! One thing I have learned from using pastels, is that it takes time to blend colors together, it takes many layers. So plan out your compostion, get a rough …
Pressure Fixative I use a pressure technique in order to avoid spoiling my colors with fixative. With the painting face up on a flat table I cover the surface with waxed …
Chamois cloth: Very useful in soft Pastels I have found a number of wonderful uses for ordinary chamios cloth, from any auto store. First, rubbed rather briskly, it will effectively remove pastel …
Chalk Pastels In Water Chalk pastels are great for producing a soft, delicate look to your picture. But, if you soak a chalk pastel …
rework an area of a picture If you need to go back into the picture say near the middle and you are worried about smudging your work take a piece of black paper and cut a square out …
using fixative It is best when using fixative to only use it during the painting process and use what is known as workable fixative. It is a way of building up more …
colors to use in skin when doing portraits I start out with a light cream color for a foundation and do shadows in blue's browns and red. The under layer of skin has so many …
Cheap Alternative to Fixative To fix chalk pastels use a cheap hairspray instead of the expensive arty fixative. Go to the 'pound shop' (or dollar shop) to stock up. Also, use pastels …
Velour paper When working on velour paper, I found the best way is to work is in very fine layers building up the colour and spraying regularly with fixative. When …
Be Bold With Base Colour I have only just started experimenting with pastels but have found that the more generous I am with the initial base colour, such as flesh tones, the better …
Corrections To Pastel Work This is a good way to correct your work in soft pastels. Brush off the pastel from the area you are not happy with. Make a paper mask to cover the …
Velvet Mat Board I cut a mat the other day from a red/brown velvet board. The middle was too small to use for much of anything, so I decided to try it for a pastel painting. …
How to keep your pastels clean Buy cornstarch in a grocery store.(The type used for making cornbread). Pour some of it into a clean container. Place the dirty pastels in it. Gently move …
Sharpening pastel pencils At last I have found a decent pencil sharpener to sharpen my pastel pencils!! It is a cosmetic pencil sharpener by Bourjois and has a large and small hole …
Use Finger Plasters (Band Aids) to Blend! I went on YouTube for some video tutorials on how to use pastels. I was surprised to see that a man was using hand plaster (which he put around his 2nd …
keep your fingers clean When working with soft pastels your hands get dirty with the colours that you may contaminate your next colour with. Keep your hands clean by holding …
A cheap pastel holder for those nubs. I learned from a thread on Wet Canvas of an idea for a inexpensive holder for the nubs of hard pastels. Use the end of a disposable razor! Here's the thread …
A cheap alternative to expensive fixative I actually received this tip from an art teacher years ago.......instead of using fixative on drawings and pastels, you can use hairspray which is just …
Drumming When I want to paint a sunset or sunrise and I want the colours to blend subtly, I first put the colours on that I wish, blend them back and forth lightly …
A cheap pastel holder for those nubs. Not rated yetI learned from a thread on Wet Canvas of an idea for a inexpensive holder for the nubs of hard pastels. Use the end of a disposable razor! Here's the thread …
Mixing Landscape Greens Not rated yetEspecially if you're using student grade pastels, the range of greens you have might all be very bright true greens. In nature, the greens in many climates …
Keeping pastels clean Not rated yetI use chickpea flour instead of rice to store the pastels I am using. It's very effective. It also means I can keep the rest clean and therefore easy to …
Fingers with Oil Pastels Not rated yetWhen I use oil pastel I like to use my fingers to smooth out some of the rough area that looks a little bumpy. You can also use a smooth paintbrush, sponge, …
Retaining the color strength in your pastel work. Not rated yetSpray your pastel work "as you go along" in order to "set" the colors in your painting and to minimize the lessening of color strength that seems to occur …
A few things I do Not rated yet1. I always have a wet rag handy for cleaning my hands between colour changes, there is nothing worse than spoiling a pale subject with a smear of dark …
No fixative use at all Not rated yetA tip I picked up when creating with pastels is to complete the work and tap the back of the work lightly, all over, with a flat ruler type tool, (it must …
Keeping pastel pencils sharp Not rated yetWhen working with pastel pencils I always have at the side a piece of fine or medium sandpaper to use to keep the pencil sharp and used at the right angle …
Save the Powder Not rated yetWhen working with pastels, keep a tray of aluminum foil under your foam board and save the powder that falls from your work. When you have a good amount, …
Learn to Draw SectionIf you want to learn to draw to a standard you're happy with, you need to get the basics right from the outset.
So many would-be artist's experience is that this vital foundation is overlooked when they begin drawing and painting.
Time and again, people relate how they missed out at school, even though they liked art and wanted to learn to draw.
It may be because they misunderstood what the teacher was saying or they missed a class and the tutor didn't have time to go back over a topic just for them.
So they fell back, became disheartened and lost interest...
Or, and this is quite normal, some take a little longer to pick up the required knowledge.
This isn't a problem.
In fact, when they do master it, because they've had to work a little harder, they often have a more thorough grasp of the basics.
It's because everyone who wants to learn to draw does so at different speeds and in different ways.
Even when people are older and would like to join an adult art class, they frequently shy away. They wrongly assume that everyone else in the class will be really very good except them and they'll be shown up all over again.
Whatever the reason, art is lost to them, maybe for good. And sadly, they are probably lost to art as well.
Well if you want really to learn to draw and enjoy it along the way it needn't be like that!
If you use the the links below, you'll open up a whole series of drawing tutorials that will start you with the basics so you will learn to draw anything with ease and confidence.
Oh and by the way, because of the popularity of the subject, there's a complete section on how you can learn to draw animals of all shapes and sizes.
However, if you're a complete beginner, I'd really recommend you start with the 'How to Draw Anything' tutorial below.
Learn To Draw Tutorials & Videos
How to Draw a MouthHere's how to draw the mouth step-by-step...
How to Draw a NoseLearn to draw the human nose quickly and easily...
How to Draw EyesOne of the most important facial features to get right - learn to draw eyes realistically first time every time...
How to Draw a FaceThis step-by-step video tutorial will show you how to draw a basic human face...
How to Draw a Man's BodyUse basic proportions again to draw a figure of a man...
How to Draw a Woman's BodyHere's a simple step-by-step process for drawing the female form...
How to Use Watercolour Pencils - Part 3Here's the third video covering watersoluble pencils...
How to Use Watercolour Pencils - Part 2Here's the second video covering watercolour pencils...
How to Use Watercolour Pencils - Part 1If you've never used watercolor pencils before why not give them a try? This 3-part guide will show you how...
The Value Of A Tonal SketchA tonal sketch is an ideal method of working out your composition and also where the lights and darks are going to be placed in your picture, regardless of what colours are involved...
How To Use Reference Photos For Your PaintingsUsing reference photos as a basis for your pictures is great way to provide yourself with a good source of raw material - as long as you use them correctly!
VIDEO TUTORIAL - How to Draw Wheels in PerspectiveQuickly set up wheels that look right, first time, every time...
VIDEO TUTORIAL - How To Create ShadowsThis video tutorial will show you how to add shadows to your drawings creating depth and
contrast...
VIDEO SERIES - How to Draw With Various Mediums (PART 5Using water soluable pencils...
VIDEO SERIES - How to Draw With Various Mediums (PART 4Using charcoal for your drawings...
VIDEO SERIES - How to Draw With Various Mediums (PART 3Using pen and ink for your drawings...
VIDEO SERIES - How to Draw With Various Mediums (PART 2Covers putty erasers and why they are not just for erasing errors!
VIDEO SERIES - How to Draw With Various Mediums (PART 1)This 5-part video series introduces you to various drawing mediums such as pencils, charcoal
and water soluable pencils. Filled with example sketches you'll leanr how to get the most from your drawing equipment...
HOW TO DRAW ANYTHING - Learn To Draw Whatever You WantRead this tutorial before you read anything else on the site. It covers the very simple, yet highly effective technique that underpins all good drawings. Follow these steps and you literally WILL be able to draw whatever you want with ease!
Master Perspective Drawing First Time!Many people who learn to draw and paint think perspective drawing involves lots of technical skill and hours of practice. Yet it's not as complicated as you may think...
How To Draw TreesLearning how to draw trees is a lot easier than you may think. Many budding artists of all ages are put off because they've only previously managed a 'lollipop' that they remember producing when they were at school...
How To Draw The Human HeadVideo series produced by drawing coach Mitch Bowler that shows you how to draw the human head with ease...
How To Draw FacesSo you think learning how to draw faces is difficult? Wrong! All faces are made up of simple shapes like anything else...
How To Draw CarsLearn how to draw any model of car you want to in four simple steps. Start off with James Bond's famous Aston Martin DB5, straight out of 'Goldfinger'...
How To Draw A CarLearn how to draw old-time cars in four simple steps. We'll replicate Henry Ford's classic Model T of 1926 and re-live a piece of Detroit history ...
How To Draw HandsLearning how to draw hands isn't a problem if you follow the simple steps in this tutorial ...
How To Draw RosesLearning how to draw roses is so much simpler if you follow the hints in this straightforward tutorial.
How To Draw FlowersLearning how to draw flowers can be much simplified into a few basic shapes which allow you to draw literally any variety under the sun....
See Drawing Tips From Other Visitors
Click below to see contributions from other visitors ...
Drawing with confidence. Looking at how one holds a pencil may indicate how confident or otherwise, an artist is with their drawing equipment. As a professional T tutor, I …
Smooth Shading & Blending Many artists agreed that a 0.5mm mechanical pencil is best for smooth shading and blending. So, I also used this pencil to create a smooth texture required …
Great tips and materials for beginners I discovered and fell in love with the Walter Foster art instruction books a few years ago. They start with information about specific materials and …
How to Protect Your Picture While You Are Drawing I know in the past when I was drawing anything, I always had a piece of paper under my hand as I was drawing. I would also use a fixative and spray the …
Cannot get the Expression Right? Turn your reference photo upside down, then you will be looking at lines and shapes, not pictures. It really works and is a tip I learned on a drawing …
How to Prevent Smudging Your Work The best way not to smudge your work is to not lean on it or you can just do the outline of your drawing lightly before going thick or your work will definitely …
How To Draw Straight Lines Instead of drawing one long straight line, draw the line bit by bit, using the little ones …
Sketch Lightly First Here's a great tip to remember when you're drawing - Sketch Lightly First, then you can adjust your mistakes as you go. …
Blu Tack as an eraser Took a drawing course this past Spring and was given a sample of Blutack to use in place of a kneaded eraser. It seems to be better at lifting graphite …
Never Assume Something that quite often trips up aspiring artists is when they go to draw something and it doesnt actually look like what they are drawing!! There is …
Keep your paper clean while drawing To keep the paper clean and to prevent smudging when drawing, put a piece of acetate under your drawing hand. It will stick to your hand and glide over …
Horse Proportion Diragram I found that drawing the human body proportionally correct can be done by using the head as reference, so I did it on a horse body, it worked!! Here you …
Prevent ink bottle spillage To prevent overturning an ink bottle while working I use a SMALL BIT OF DOUBLE STICK CARPET TAPE. Regular two sided tape is not good enough. Carpet tape …
How to Draw Wheels in persepctive (extra tip) Watch the video (which is good) but you don't have to guesstimate the SECOND wheel. If the first wheel is correct then simply extend the lines to create …
Another way of getting a chiseled edge As covered in the drawing medium video part-1 you can get a chiseled edge by using a craft or pen knife but I also found out that you can get a chisseld …
How to draw a symetrical object Draw an outline of a vase for example. Draw a line down the middle of the vase. Decide which side you like the best. Trace the outline. Flip the tracing …
Draw or paint from a re-usable grid When drawing portraits or scenery I personally find it difficult to get the proportions & positions of certain features correct and spend a lot of time …
Don't smudge If you don't want to smudge your work you need to do one color at a time and wash your hands between every different color and do NOT keep the ridge of …
How to make a Stylus-pencil. I have seen 'tips'....on using Carbon-paper. "Use a pencil.", most say, but, pencils leaves marks......on what you're trying to trace onto your Art-paper! …
HOW TO DRAW A HEAD Many people do not know how to draw a head. Here is a scale for head proportions .
A Secret Helper.... Drawing animals or portraits and unsure if the features are right? Take the image and look at it through a mirror to compare it with the photograph …
How to Smudge Take and band-aid and put it on the finger you're blending or smudging with. This way, your finger will not hurt or get sore.
Using too much colour With all those lovely colours to choose from it is tempting to try and use them all in a painting. If you restrict yourself to a limited palette of around …
Handy Low cost sketch Pad Buy yourself a 'Post-It' pad at an office supplies shop. I use a 5" x 3" one. They fit in any pocket and are great for quick sketches. You can also 'stick' …
Easy tracing If you need to redraw a sketch or other drawing, use either a lightbox or just a window on a sunny day. Tape your original to the window/ lightbox, then …
drawing when you draw and you don't want to use too much time redrawing it onto thicker paper, trace it. Put your original drawing on top and the thicker paper …
Portable Paper Wetting You don't need a tray to wet watercolour paper for stretching if you are out and about. Use a heavy weight resealable polythene bag. Fill it with just …
perception Not rated yetWhen you are painting a face for example, the parts of the face that protrude (i.e. the nose) should be slightly lighter than the rest of the face. To …
Drawing with confidence. Not rated yetMost artists tend to use HB pencils when they are drawing. However, this grade can cut into paper leaving permanent grooves.... I prefer to use …
Colouring with Oil Pastels Giving Life Like Effect Not rated yetAfter you have coloured your picture with oil pastels, take a white cloth and smudge over one area of the drawing. suppose you drew an orange and colored …
Getting It Even Not rated yetI find that if I check out how my drawings are progressing by looking at them through a mirror i.e.any uneven un-symmetrical or imbalanced subjects really …
Don't Ruin Your Best Paper Not rated yetRather than doing lots of rubbing out on your best piece of paper, draw the basic picture on a piece of practice paper, then trace it. Then instead …
How to keep guidelines to a minimum on Botanical drawings Not rated yetWhen drawing flowers/botanicals,try to use minimum pencil lines,and draw as feintly as possible, leaving the bulk details for the paint/medium to build. …
Cannot get the Expression Right? Not rated yetTurn your reference photo upside down, then you will be looking at lines and shapes, not pictures. It really works and is a tip I learned on a drawing …