Essential Blending Techniques for Oil Pastel Artists
Blending is a fundamental skill for any artist working with oil pastels. As a passionate artist who has spent many years working with this medium, I’ve found that understanding the various blending techniques is crucial for achieving professional-looking results.
In this guide, I will share the methods I’ve used in my own work to achieve smooth gradients and rich color transitions, like the ones in my giraffe painting and abstract piece (shown below).
For best results, it’s a good idea to practice these techniques on some decent pastel paper with a set of quality oil pastels. For an overview of the basics, you may also want to start with my Beginner’s Guide to Oil Pastels first.
Blending with Your Fingers
This is often the quickest and most accessible method, and one I frequently use.
Using your fingers to rub colors together is perfect for blending large areas where precision isn’t the main goal. It allows for direct control over pressure, giving you an immediate feel for the blend.
Pros of Finger Blending
- Speed and Accessibility: Your fingers are always available.
- Direct Control: You can feel the pressure you’re applying, which helps create the exact blend you want.
Cons of Blending with Fingers
- Messiness: The pastels will transfer to your fingers, requiring frequent cleaning to avoid accidentally mixing unwanted colors.
- Lack of Precision: It’s difficult to maintain hard lines or blend in tight, detailed areas without smudging.
Blending with a Tortillion
A tortillion is a tightly rolled paper tool that is excellent for fine details and precise blending.
They are perfect for softening edges, blending in small areas, and sharpening lines in your work—a technique I find essential for the finer details of my art.
Tortillions come in various sizes, are inexpensive, and can be used to add a professional finish to your oil pastel paintings.
Blending with a Cloth or Paper Towel
Using a cloth or paper towel is a great alternative if you want to keep your fingers clean. This method can be used for larger areas, though it’s less direct than finger blending.
It’s a useful technique to have in your toolkit, especially for wiping away excess pigment or creating a subtle, diffused blend.
Blending with a Solvent
Using a solvent is an advanced blending technique that can create unique effects, including washes that mimic watercolor or oil paint. Solvents dissolve the oil binder in the pastels, allowing the colors to flow and blend smoothly.
This is a technique that requires practice, but as artist John Elliot demonstrates in his book, it can produce a variety of outstanding results.
Popular Solvents for Blending Oil Pastels
- Odorless Turpenoid: A classic choice for artists.
- Mineral Spirits or Zest-It Oil Paint Dilutant: Other effective, low-odor alternatives.
- Baby Oil: A less toxic option that works well for subtle blending.
Caution
Always test your solvent on a small, hidden area of your paper first, as it can stain through some surfaces. You can apply the solvent with a brush, Q-tip, or even by dipping the pastel stick directly into the liquid.
Other Blending Methods
The key to blending is experimentation! What I have found with oil pastels is that you can achieve interesting textures and effects with a variety of other tools, including:
- Color Shapers: Silicone-tipped tools that can push and blend pastels without absorbing them.
- Cotton Swabs: Great for small, precise areas.
- Palette Knives: Can be used for an impasto or scraping technique.
- Sponges: For creating soft, textured areas.
Ultimately, the best blending technique is the one that works for the specific effect you want to achieve.
As a long time oil pastelist, I find that a combination of methods works best. I personally prefer using my fingers for large areas and a tortillion for details, which is a key part of my process.
Do you have a favorite blending technique or a new tool you’ve discovered? Let me know in the comments below!
