Types of Pastels

Pastel Type Description Characteristics Best Uses
Chalk (Soft) Pastels Powdery, vibrant, blendable Soft texture, dusty, fragile Fine art, blending, layering
Hard Pastels Firmer, less powdery More control, less dust Detail work, underdrawing
Oil Pastels Creamy, waxy texture Rich colours, water-resistant Bold strokes, mixed media
Pan Pastels Soft pastel in pan form Easy blending, no dust Large areas, soft effects

Essential Tools & Materials

Tool/Material Purpose Notes
Pastel Paper Textured surface to hold pigment Canson Mi-Teintes, sanded papers
Fixative Spray Prevents smudging Use workable and final fixative
Blending Tools Fingers, blending stumps, brushes For smooth transitions
Erasers Kneaded or vinyl for corrections Gentle on pastel surface
Palette Knives Mixing and layering oil pastels For texture and effects
Gloves & Aprons Keep hands clean Optional but recommended

Techniques for Chalk Pastels

Technique Description Tips
Layering Building colour depth by applying multiple layers Start light, build gradually
Blending Smoothing edges and colours Use fingers or blending stumps
Sgraffito Scratching surface to reveal layers Use pointed tools or knives
Feathering Light strokes to create texture Use short, quick movements
Dusting Applying soft powdery colour Use brush or sponge

Techniques for Oil Pastels

Technique Description Tips
Scumbling Applying broken colour layers Use light pressure
Blending Smooth transitions using fingers or solvents Use odorless mineral spirits
Impasto Thick application for texture Use palette knife or thick strokes
Sgraffito Scratching to reveal layers Scratch gently with tools
Mixed Media Combine with acrylics or charcoal Experiment with layering

Paper Types & Suitability

Paper Type Surface Texture Best For
Textured Pastel Paper Rough, toothy surface Chalk pastels
Sanded Paper Very abrasive texture Holding thick pastel layers
Watercolour Paper Heavy, textured Mixed media with oil pastels
Bristol Board Smooth surface Detail work with hard pastels
Canvas Primed for pastels Oil pastel paintings

Common Problems & Solutions

Problem Cause Solution
Pastels crumble/dusty Soft texture, overuse Use fixative, layer gently
Colours dull after fixing Fixative too strong or incompatible Use pastel-specific fixatives
Difficulty blending oil pastels Too cold or dry hands Warm hands, use solvents
Smudging chalk pastels No fixative applied Apply workable fixative
Pastels not adhering well Paper too smooth or oily Use textured or sanded paper

Care & Preservation

Tip Explanation
Store flat Prevents cracking and smudging
Use fixative sprays Protects artwork from smudging
Frame under glass Protects from dust and damage
Avoid direct sunlight Prevents fading
Handle carefully Use gloves or clean hands
Project Pastel Type Skill Level Time Estimate
Portraits Chalk or oil pastels Intermediate-Advanced Several hours to days
Landscapes Chalk pastels Beginner-Intermediate 1-4 hours
Still Life Oil pastels Intermediate 2-6 hours
Abstracts Both types All levels Varies
Greeting Cards Chalk pastels Beginner 30 min - 1 hour

Learning Resources

Resource Type Description Notes
Books “Pastel Techniques” by [Author] Detailed techniques and projects
Online Tutorials Video demos and courses YouTube, Skillshare, others
Workshops Local art schools and studios Hands-on experience
Communities Online pastel forums and groups Support and inspiration