Pastels have long been one of the painting mediums that are easy to use and create stunning pieces of art. If you have decided to delve into the world of pastels and hope make a stunning painting, then you will need expert advice.
Getting started with pastels isn’t as easy as it seems. Apart from learning basics of pastel drawing, you need to consider several things. Including buying the right paper and preventing over blending among others.
Here are some tips from experienced and famous pastel artists that you can follow while you starting your pastel journey:
-
Choose The Right Pastels
There are different types of pastels, including soft, hard, oil, and water-soluble pastels. What differentiates them from each other is their feel and their ability to blend. You need to choose pastels that will be consistent with the image you are hoping to create.
-
Layering And Smudging
You, as an artist, can achieve a variety of colours through layering and smudging. The best way to paint a pastel image is to start with darkness and move to light.
-
Choose Right Paper
How to know which is the right paper for pastel drawing? According to experts, the best idea is to pick a paper with texture or tooth. Using a smooth paper won’t allow the pastel pigment to adhere. Also when choosing your paper, make sure it is pH-neutral.
-
Experiment
Before you start working on your drawing, experiment with soft and hard pastels. Soft pastels will give you a grainy texture. On the other hand, hard pastels are renowned for their stability.
-
Test Your Pencils And Oils
Instead of using them directly while making a pastel drawing, test drive them. Pastel pencils have lead, which makes it easier to control them, while oil pastels contain an oil binder.
-
Test Water-Soluble Pastels, Create Washes
Water-soluble pastels are just like regular pastels. However, you can use them to create watercolour-like washes with brushes. They can also help you add improved and artistic effects to your pastel painting.
These are some tips that you should follow before you start working on a pastel painting. They will help you to choose the right colours and mediums to create a brilliant pastel painting.
To learn more about pastel art, you can follow the experienced and talented artists at our gallery and admire their unique artwork.
