Using Oil Pastels

Oil pastel is a fun medium to work with. They are similar to crayons and they are not too messy-the worst is some color gets on your fingers but that's easy enough to wash off-and you can use pretty much any type of paper and get great results-although I have had the best results with heavy white paper.

If you are just starting to work with oil pastels, make sure that you purchase a set of at least 24, since you are probably going to want to experiment with a bunch of different colors. In general, you will want a set of oil pastels that are not too waxy.

When you are starting your oil pastel creation, you can use pencils to sketch your drawing. Try to draw lightly though because this will make it easier to cover your pencil marks with oil pastel later, which will give your final creation a cleaner look.

Working in layers is the best way to use oil pastels. Once you have finished your sketch, go over each area with the main colors you will be using. This is your first layer of color, and it does not need to be completely filled in since you will be adding many more layers. And remember, if you want an area to be white, then try to leave that part of your paper white.

Keep adding layers of color to your drawing. You can easily mix colors by drawing over other colors. For the darker parts of your drawing, press your oil pastel harder on the paper. And for the lighter parts of your drawing, you will want to press lightly to make it easier to blend your oil pastels.

Once you have more layers, you can blend them with your fingers or some tissue. Experiment blending colors and see what you get. If you decide you do not like a color you created, then you can use a kneaded eraser to wipe away some of it.

When you are done with your oil pastel artwork, make sure to blow away any bits and pieces of oil pastel that may be sticking to your paper. Be careful not to wipe away these pieces, however, because otherwise they will leave unwanted marks on your paper. Also, every time you mix colors, you will want to clean off the tip of your oil pastel with tissue so you do not accidentally add unwanted colors to your drawing.

Make sure to let your oil pastel artwork fully harden and dry before you touch it too much. I also recommend you spray matte finish over your oil pastel artwork once it is dry to preserve all the colors. You should be able to buy finish at any craft store, and it takes several minutes for the finish to dry. Once your oil pastel artwork is completely dry, it is safe to frame and hang on the wall for everyone to see!