Oil Pastel Techniques

Today we are going to practice some oil pastel techniques. Let's start with the basics. This first technique uses simple pressure. Choose a single solid color oil pastel. You can make it lighter using gentle pressure, or use heavy pressure to make it darker. Next is blending. You can blend two colors together to make a new color. Start by applying the first color with a heavy pressure. Then lighten it up as you go. Then, do the same with the second color on the opposite side. Notice how blending red and blue creates purple. Want to make a color lighter? Just add white. This is called tinting. It helps to use the blending technique. A pro artist trick is to use a circular motion to achieve a smooth blend of colors. Some colors, especially light ones like white or yellow, can get dirty. Don't worry. You can clean them with a paper towel. To darken a color add some black. This is called shading. Remember to use the blending technique and a circular motion. Another pastel technique is the rule of three. Use three similar colors and blend them together using a circular motion. Start with either the lightest or darkest color. This will help add depth and dimension to your drawing.