How do you draw with pastels?

What are the different types of pastels?

Pastels are categorized primarily by their binder content, which dictates their texture and application. Soft pastels contain a high concentration of pigment and very little binder, resulting in a velvety, buttery consistency that blends easily. Hard pastels, or "conté" crayons, contain more binder, making them firmer and ideal for sharp lines or initial sketches. Oil pastels use a non-drying oil and wax binder, creating a creamy texture that behaves more like oil paint and does not require a fixative.

When selecting your first set, consider the following distinctions:

• Soft pastels: Best for broad strokes, rich color layering, and painterly effects.
• Hard pastels: Essential for fine details, crisp edges, and underdrawings.
• Oil pastels: Excellent for impasto techniques and working on non-traditional surfaces like wood or plastic.
• Pastel pencils: Hard pastels encased in wood, perfect for precise drawing and finishing touches.

Best surfaces for pastel drawing

The surface, or "tooth," is critical because it must be rough enough to grip the powdery pigment. Standard printer paper is too smooth and will cause the pastel to fall off immediately. Instead, artists use specialized pastel paper, which features a textured finish often described as "sanded" or "velvet." These surfaces allow the artist to build multiple layers of color without the paper becoming saturated or "clogged" too quickly.

Consider these options when choosing your support:

1. Pastel paper: Available in various colors, which can serve as a mid-tone for your composition.
2. Sanded boards or paper: These provide an aggressive grip, allowing for heavy layering and intense color saturation.
3. Watercolor paper: A heavy-weight cold-press paper works well if you prime it with a clear gesso or pastel ground to add texture.
4. Canvas: Best suited for oil pastels rather than dry soft pastels, as the weave can be difficult to fill with dry pigment.

How to layer and blend pastels

Layering is the hallmark of professional pastel work, as it creates depth and luminosity that cannot be achieved with a single stroke. Start by applying the darkest colors first, then gradually move toward lighter, brighter highlights. Because pastels are opaque, you can layer light colors over dark ones, provided the surface still has enough tooth to hold the pigment. Avoid over-blending, which can turn colors into a muddy gray by mixing too many pigments together on the surface.

To achieve smooth transitions, you can use several techniques:

• Finger blending: Provides the most control but can introduce skin oils that may affect the longevity of the work.
• Tortillons or blending stumps: Paper tools that allow you to push pigment into the tooth of the paper without using your fingers.
• Color overlay: Simply placing one color over another without rubbing, which creates a vibrant, optical mixing effect.
• Scumbling: Dragging a light, hard pastel lightly over a darker, textured layer to create a broken-color effect.

Common mistakes when drawing with pastels

Many beginners struggle with the tendency to overwork their drawings, which fills the paper’s tooth and prevents further application of pigment. If the paper becomes "slick," the pastel will simply slide off the surface. Another frequent error is failing to manage the dust created during the process. Pastel dust is fine and can easily smear across your work or irritate the respiratory system. Always work on an easel tilted slightly forward so that excess dust falls away from the drawing rather than onto it.

To ensure your work stays clean and vibrant, avoid these pitfalls:

• Using too much fixative: Excessive spray can darken colors and change the texture of the pastel.
• Ignoring contrast: Beginners often use mid-tones exclusively; remember to push your values to include deep blacks and bright whites.
• Improper storage: Pastels are fragile and can be easily crushed or smudged if stored without protective glassine paper.
• Working flat: Always use an easel to allow gravity to pull falling dust particles away from the artwork.

How to finish and preserve pastel art

Because pastels consist of loose pigment, they are inherently fragile and vulnerable to smudging. Once a drawing is complete, you must decide whether to use a fixative spray or frame the work immediately. A fixative is a resin-based spray that binds the pigment to the paper, but it often dulls the brilliance of the colors. Many professional artists prefer to skip the fixative entirely and frame their work behind glass with a mat that keeps the surface from touching the glass.

Follow these steps to protect your finished piece:

1. Tap the board gently to remove any loose, unattached dust before framing.
2. Use a spacer or mat board to create a gap between the pastel surface and the glass.
3. Ensure the frame is sealed tightly with dust-proof tape to prevent external debris from entering.
4. Store the framed work away from direct sunlight and high humidity to prevent fading or mold growth.