In this comprehensive guide, artist Eric D. Greene shares his personal experience and proven techniques for blending oil pastels, covering essential methods like finger blending, using tortillions, and working with solvents. This article is designed for both beginners and experienced artists looking to create smooth, vibrant artwork with oil pastels.
I want to talk about why I love oil pastels, and what they do for me as an artist. I find oil pastels to be a vibrant and versatile medium, with unique properties that really captivated me as an artist. Unlike traditional soft pastels, oil pastels consist of a non-drying oil and wax binder, which…
Oil pastels and soft pastels are very different mediums. Oil pastels are made with wax and oil, giving them a creamy, crayon-like texture that doesn’t create dust. Soft pastels are made with a gum binder, resulting in a dry, chalky texture that is great for blending but can be messy. This article breaks down their differences, so you can decide which is best for your artistic style.
The best paper for oil pastels is mostly a matter of personal preference. Choosing the best paper depends on what type of drawing you’re going for. If you’re wanting to do something very realistic, you might want to look for paper with a smoother surface, so that you can fine to the sharp details. But…
A common question I get asked a lot about is what brand of oil pastels is the best? For most oil pastelists, it comes down to two brands: Sennelier and Holbein. These are more expensive brands, and there are others available but these are the most common of the top-quality brands. So that answers the…
What follows are some oil pastels tips and tricks I have learned over my years of creating oil pastel art. This list is some of the main items I think that can be helpful for both beginners and experienced oil pastelists as they work with the medium. These are my top 10 quick tips for…
