Painting/Drawing Resource Combination #1?!
Hello everyone,
This entry will introduce what pastels are, how they're made, their range, and their use and purpose. Ever wonder what pastels are? What they do? What are they used for? Why use them at all?
Well, just like any other art medium, pastels are unique in that they can be used with other mediums (such as oil paints, acrylic paint, gouache paint, etc.). But what is a pastel? A pastel is when the pigment (i.e., color) is mixed with the binder (or what keeps the shape together), and the filler (i.e., to increase the longevity of the pigment) to make the "pastel stick" (recipes on making your own dry pastels down below!).
Sometimes, pastels may be called "dry pastels," because of their chalk-like texture (but pastels are not chalk!). Using pastels will create dust-like particles which may be problematic, depending on your health and your environment or workspace. Pastels can be used on paper, canvas, and boards, to name a few (check previous blog post for the different type of surfaces available for pastels/oil pastels!). Be aware that the more "tooth" the working surface has (i.e., how well the working surface picks up and keeps the pastel color on the working surface), the more likely your are piece will show through (and how long the art piece will last, too). Once you have completed your art work, you have to be careful not to get dust on the art piece, or scratch it, or smudge/smear your work. One way to combat those issues is to protect your finished work by using a fixative (e.g., from a spray can) or a varnish. Be aware that when you use a fixative or varnish, it may darken your work (because you're adding a layer of chemicals on top of your finished work). The trade off is that you will be protecting your finished art work. Of course, make sure that you have workspace that will allow you to avoid breathing in the fumes from the fixative or varnish. If you don't have the ideal workspace, the alternative would be to add the fixative or varnish outside (when the weather is ideal). A side note, fixatives or primers can also used to create extra layers for your pastel artwork, just in case you need to add more color on top of what you have (or add depth, blend, etc.). Another way to protect your work is to frame your finished art work. The best way (and most expensive) would be to take your finished art work and purchase a shadow box with glass to protect the work (for sun resistant protection, add tinted glass). Going to Michaels or Dick Blick stores will cost you a bit of money (or you can do it yourself to save some money). However, it's worth it if you want to protect your work in the long run.
After reading the generalized view on "dry pastels," you might ask yourself, Why should I even bother using that?! That sounds like a lot of work! Who would be crazy enough to use that?! Now, dear readers, I am not here to make "dry pastels" look bad. In fact, they are wonderful, because all you need to do is apply the pastel on your working surface, and you're good to go. You don't have to worry about, for example, spills or accidents (like you would if you were using oil paints, acrylic paints, etc.). However, if you don't have the ideal work space (note: I sure don't!), there is an alternative-oil pastels.
Oil pastels are made with small amounts of pigment, mixed with wax and oil (e.g., linseed oil). If you purchase professional oil pastels (list of that below!), the company should have used acid-free oils (for long-lasting quality, or known as "archival" quality). Otherwise, the quality of the oil pastel will not last long; they could dry up, break apart, or even lose its ability to apply to the working surface! "Academic" oil pastels, while not the highest quality, has its use. Use them to practice the medium or use them for the first layer/preliminary/background work. Using oil pastels will not give off the dust-like particles, so you will not have to worry about breathing in anything harmful. In addition, you don't have to use fixatives, varnishes, or primers, to protect or add layers to your art work. In fact, using fixatives or varnishes may destroy the oil pastel, and the finished product! Also, oil pastels can be used on almost any surface (thus, "toothless"), including hard surfaces (e.g., hard wood). However, the rule still applies-having a "toothed" surface will give you more flexibility to mix, blend, and add color to your working surface. Just like "dry pastels," oil pastels can be used with acrylic paint, oil paint, gouache paint, etc. Just make sure that when you use oil pastels (or "dry pastels"), that you know, what I call, the "medium layer hierarchy," (e.g., acrylic paint/water color as the first or base layer, followed by oil pastels). If you are not familiar with what medium to use first, look it up, read about it, or experiment. In addition (and as an option), you can use solvents to create a wash effect (i.e., water-like effect by mixing solvent with pigment; this gives the illusion, when used with a paint brush (or oil pastel), of not using a paint brush-thus, or the absence of brush strokes on the art work), if you are looking for that effect. Please be aware that solvents have an odor to them; make sure you have good work space and ventilation for their use (otherwise, use them outside, or avoid using them). While you can protect your oil pastels by framing your work (which is ideal), if you cannot afford that route, you can always take a few sheets of wax paper, and place the sheets on top of your finished work. Personally, I have done this, and I haven't had any issues yet.
Now, after reading about oil pastels, you might think, Well, using oil pastels are great! I don't ever have to go to dry pastels! Why bother!? Again, I am not trying to push one type of pastel over the other. However, if you do not have the ideal work space, or if you work in an environment with pets or children, oil pastels might be your medium.
Before you purchase your first set of pastels (oil or dry), there are different types of pastels. They range based on how well they blend, stick to the working surface, and how long they last. The pastel ranges from hard to soft. Hard pastels are generally used for background, preliminary sketching, or as your foundation of your art piece. In addition, hard pastels are great to use for details, since they can give off the a dry effect. However, since hard pastels have more binder than pigment (i.e., color), hard pastels do not as bright in color as their counterpart-soft pastels; also, hard pastels do not have the wide color range as much as soft pastels. Using soft pastels will compensate in areas that hard pastels fall short on. Soft pastels have more pigment than binder, therefore, their colors pop out, or are brighter (they even have fluorescent, metallic, and iridescent colors!). In addition, using soft pastels gives you the ability to blend better compared to hard pastels. However, using soft pastels will give you the "chalk-like" effect, meaning that they are delicate, and can be easily manipulated. To protect soft pastels, you would either have to use a fixative/varnish, or frame your work. For oil pastels, the hard and soft divisions are similar in the rules, except for their dust effects (oil pastels are dustless). The harder the oil pastel, the more "crayon-like" they will be, meaning their flexibility and range are more difficult to work with than your soft oil pastels (more creamy, buttery, flexible, bright color range).
To add to the diversity of pastels, you can also pick up pen pastels, which can be used with your oil/dry pastels. They have little binder, giving you the flexibility on your art work. You also have pastel pencils, which can be used for very fine details. They are made out of dry pastel (of course) instead of lead. And finally, their are oil pastels that will work with water, or known as water soluble oil pastels. Instead of using solvents to create the wash effect, you just need to use water.
Before you decide anything else, you should be aware of your work environment, and your health. Depending on your environment, if you have great ventilation, not having to worry about children or pets, and space, try using dry pastels. However, you don't have the luxury of an ideal working environment, go the oil pastel route. If you are concerned with ventilation, you can purchase a ventilation machine (or known as air purifiers/filters-links below!); however, they are far from cheap. A good ventilation machine should minimize the risk of developing headaches, dizzy spells, and breathing in as little of the dust particles from dry pastels and fumes from solvents as possible. Simply opening a window in your work space is not enough. While you don't have to worry about breathing in dust-like particles with oil pastels, there are risks with using oil pastels. Washing your hands, regardless on the type of pastel, is key. Always make sure you get under the nails, and you thoroughly wash away the pigment from you hands. Otherwise, if you decide to eat or get something to drink (after you finish working on your art piece), you might be ingesting more than you think. If you are working with solvents, it is possible to obtain a skin rash, for example. One way to combat solvent irritation is to wear a long sleeved shirt. Use that shirt when you do anything art related. Another way is to wear (rubber/plastic/fabric gloves. If you are concerned with pigments/solvents getting on your fingers, then try out the gloves. Some artists even purchase skin cream barriers, since they want to use their fingers to blend, smear, or move around the colors on their art work (link below!).
Finally, after reading everything above, the question you might be asking yourself is, Why even bother using pastels at all? Well, pastels can give you the oil look, or oil painting effect, without using oil paint. Also, if you don't want to use oil paint, or acrylic paint, using pastels are ideal because they're quick to clean up, compared to cleaning up brushes, cups, and/or palette knives that you may use with your oil or acrylic paint otherwise. And finally, pastels can be used with other mediums. You can use pastels with oil paints, acrylic paint, gouache paint, etc. You're not limited to working with one medium the entire time. Chalk works great with pastels, giving you the option of using chalk for sharp, dark details, while using pastels to fill in color. You just need to experiment, and have fun! As long as you are careful, you should be good to go! Below, I will list out materials, recipes, and reading suggestions, if you decide to explore the work of pastels. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! I hope this was informative!:
Dry Pastels:
-Artist's Loft Soft Pastels-http://www.michaels.com/artists-loft-basic-colors-soft-pastels/M10129606.html -Ranging from 12 to 48, this is a good set to start with.
This entry will introduce what pastels are, how they're made, their range, and their use and purpose. Ever wonder what pastels are? What they do? What are they used for? Why use them at all?
Well, just like any other art medium, pastels are unique in that they can be used with other mediums (such as oil paints, acrylic paint, gouache paint, etc.). But what is a pastel? A pastel is when the pigment (i.e., color) is mixed with the binder (or what keeps the shape together), and the filler (i.e., to increase the longevity of the pigment) to make the "pastel stick" (recipes on making your own dry pastels down below!).
Sometimes, pastels may be called "dry pastels," because of their chalk-like texture (but pastels are not chalk!). Using pastels will create dust-like particles which may be problematic, depending on your health and your environment or workspace. Pastels can be used on paper, canvas, and boards, to name a few (check previous blog post for the different type of surfaces available for pastels/oil pastels!). Be aware that the more "tooth" the working surface has (i.e., how well the working surface picks up and keeps the pastel color on the working surface), the more likely your are piece will show through (and how long the art piece will last, too). Once you have completed your art work, you have to be careful not to get dust on the art piece, or scratch it, or smudge/smear your work. One way to combat those issues is to protect your finished work by using a fixative (e.g., from a spray can) or a varnish. Be aware that when you use a fixative or varnish, it may darken your work (because you're adding a layer of chemicals on top of your finished work). The trade off is that you will be protecting your finished art work. Of course, make sure that you have workspace that will allow you to avoid breathing in the fumes from the fixative or varnish. If you don't have the ideal workspace, the alternative would be to add the fixative or varnish outside (when the weather is ideal). A side note, fixatives or primers can also used to create extra layers for your pastel artwork, just in case you need to add more color on top of what you have (or add depth, blend, etc.). Another way to protect your work is to frame your finished art work. The best way (and most expensive) would be to take your finished art work and purchase a shadow box with glass to protect the work (for sun resistant protection, add tinted glass). Going to Michaels or Dick Blick stores will cost you a bit of money (or you can do it yourself to save some money). However, it's worth it if you want to protect your work in the long run.
After reading the generalized view on "dry pastels," you might ask yourself, Why should I even bother using that?! That sounds like a lot of work! Who would be crazy enough to use that?! Now, dear readers, I am not here to make "dry pastels" look bad. In fact, they are wonderful, because all you need to do is apply the pastel on your working surface, and you're good to go. You don't have to worry about, for example, spills or accidents (like you would if you were using oil paints, acrylic paints, etc.). However, if you don't have the ideal work space (note: I sure don't!), there is an alternative-oil pastels.
Oil pastels are made with small amounts of pigment, mixed with wax and oil (e.g., linseed oil). If you purchase professional oil pastels (list of that below!), the company should have used acid-free oils (for long-lasting quality, or known as "archival" quality). Otherwise, the quality of the oil pastel will not last long; they could dry up, break apart, or even lose its ability to apply to the working surface! "Academic" oil pastels, while not the highest quality, has its use. Use them to practice the medium or use them for the first layer/preliminary/background work. Using oil pastels will not give off the dust-like particles, so you will not have to worry about breathing in anything harmful. In addition, you don't have to use fixatives, varnishes, or primers, to protect or add layers to your art work. In fact, using fixatives or varnishes may destroy the oil pastel, and the finished product! Also, oil pastels can be used on almost any surface (thus, "toothless"), including hard surfaces (e.g., hard wood). However, the rule still applies-having a "toothed" surface will give you more flexibility to mix, blend, and add color to your working surface. Just like "dry pastels," oil pastels can be used with acrylic paint, oil paint, gouache paint, etc. Just make sure that when you use oil pastels (or "dry pastels"), that you know, what I call, the "medium layer hierarchy," (e.g., acrylic paint/water color as the first or base layer, followed by oil pastels). If you are not familiar with what medium to use first, look it up, read about it, or experiment. In addition (and as an option), you can use solvents to create a wash effect (i.e., water-like effect by mixing solvent with pigment; this gives the illusion, when used with a paint brush (or oil pastel), of not using a paint brush-thus, or the absence of brush strokes on the art work), if you are looking for that effect. Please be aware that solvents have an odor to them; make sure you have good work space and ventilation for their use (otherwise, use them outside, or avoid using them). While you can protect your oil pastels by framing your work (which is ideal), if you cannot afford that route, you can always take a few sheets of wax paper, and place the sheets on top of your finished work. Personally, I have done this, and I haven't had any issues yet.
Now, after reading about oil pastels, you might think, Well, using oil pastels are great! I don't ever have to go to dry pastels! Why bother!? Again, I am not trying to push one type of pastel over the other. However, if you do not have the ideal work space, or if you work in an environment with pets or children, oil pastels might be your medium.
Before you purchase your first set of pastels (oil or dry), there are different types of pastels. They range based on how well they blend, stick to the working surface, and how long they last. The pastel ranges from hard to soft. Hard pastels are generally used for background, preliminary sketching, or as your foundation of your art piece. In addition, hard pastels are great to use for details, since they can give off the a dry effect. However, since hard pastels have more binder than pigment (i.e., color), hard pastels do not as bright in color as their counterpart-soft pastels; also, hard pastels do not have the wide color range as much as soft pastels. Using soft pastels will compensate in areas that hard pastels fall short on. Soft pastels have more pigment than binder, therefore, their colors pop out, or are brighter (they even have fluorescent, metallic, and iridescent colors!). In addition, using soft pastels gives you the ability to blend better compared to hard pastels. However, using soft pastels will give you the "chalk-like" effect, meaning that they are delicate, and can be easily manipulated. To protect soft pastels, you would either have to use a fixative/varnish, or frame your work. For oil pastels, the hard and soft divisions are similar in the rules, except for their dust effects (oil pastels are dustless). The harder the oil pastel, the more "crayon-like" they will be, meaning their flexibility and range are more difficult to work with than your soft oil pastels (more creamy, buttery, flexible, bright color range).
To add to the diversity of pastels, you can also pick up pen pastels, which can be used with your oil/dry pastels. They have little binder, giving you the flexibility on your art work. You also have pastel pencils, which can be used for very fine details. They are made out of dry pastel (of course) instead of lead. And finally, their are oil pastels that will work with water, or known as water soluble oil pastels. Instead of using solvents to create the wash effect, you just need to use water.
Before you decide anything else, you should be aware of your work environment, and your health. Depending on your environment, if you have great ventilation, not having to worry about children or pets, and space, try using dry pastels. However, you don't have the luxury of an ideal working environment, go the oil pastel route. If you are concerned with ventilation, you can purchase a ventilation machine (or known as air purifiers/filters-links below!); however, they are far from cheap. A good ventilation machine should minimize the risk of developing headaches, dizzy spells, and breathing in as little of the dust particles from dry pastels and fumes from solvents as possible. Simply opening a window in your work space is not enough. While you don't have to worry about breathing in dust-like particles with oil pastels, there are risks with using oil pastels. Washing your hands, regardless on the type of pastel, is key. Always make sure you get under the nails, and you thoroughly wash away the pigment from you hands. Otherwise, if you decide to eat or get something to drink (after you finish working on your art piece), you might be ingesting more than you think. If you are working with solvents, it is possible to obtain a skin rash, for example. One way to combat solvent irritation is to wear a long sleeved shirt. Use that shirt when you do anything art related. Another way is to wear (rubber/plastic/fabric gloves. If you are concerned with pigments/solvents getting on your fingers, then try out the gloves. Some artists even purchase skin cream barriers, since they want to use their fingers to blend, smear, or move around the colors on their art work (link below!).
Finally, after reading everything above, the question you might be asking yourself is, Why even bother using pastels at all? Well, pastels can give you the oil look, or oil painting effect, without using oil paint. Also, if you don't want to use oil paint, or acrylic paint, using pastels are ideal because they're quick to clean up, compared to cleaning up brushes, cups, and/or palette knives that you may use with your oil or acrylic paint otherwise. And finally, pastels can be used with other mediums. You can use pastels with oil paints, acrylic paint, gouache paint, etc. You're not limited to working with one medium the entire time. Chalk works great with pastels, giving you the option of using chalk for sharp, dark details, while using pastels to fill in color. You just need to experiment, and have fun! As long as you are careful, you should be good to go! Below, I will list out materials, recipes, and reading suggestions, if you decide to explore the work of pastels. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! I hope this was informative!:
Dry Pastels:
-Artist's Loft Soft Pastels-http://www.michaels.com/artists-loft-basic-colors-soft-pastels/M10129606.html -Ranging from 12 to 48, this is a good set to start with.
-Faber-Castell Getting Started Soft Pastels Set-http://www.michaels.com/10476369.html -A nice pastel set if you're still not sure what to get. Even comes with a guide!
-Holbein Soft Pastel Sets-http://www.dickblick.com/products/holbein-artists-soft-pastel-sets/ -Holbein's brand is wonderful, because their ends have tips/edges, giving you the opportunity to start using them without taking a palette knife/knife to cut/create an edge to draw with (for specific or fine details, for instance)!
-Sennelier Soft Pastel Sets-http://www.dickblick.com/products/sennelier-soft-pastel-sets/ -Their rich color gives you flexibility and freedom to blend and mix. There's a lot to choose from. Experiment!
-Caran d'Ache Pastel Cubes-http://www.dickblick.com/products/caran-dache-pastel-cubes/ -A great hard pastel set, use these for first layer/preliminary/background work!
-Van Gogh Hard Pastels-http://www.dickblick.com/products/van-gogh-hard-pastels/ -Another great hard pastel set!
(NOTE: If you wish to explore alternative brands/options, Dick Blick's web site is great to view a variety of brands: http://www.dickblick.com/categories/pastels)
Oil Pastels:
-Cray-Pas Junior Artist Oil Pastel Set-www.michaels.com/cray-pas-junior-artist-oil-pastel-set/M10259518.html -A great set to begin exploring oil pastels with, they're even recommended for children. However, this set is not as flexible with blending/mixing colors, so use these as hard oil pastels.
-Cray-Pas Expressionist Oil Pastel Set-http://www.michaels.com/cray-pas-expressionist-oil-pastel-set/10259547.html -The Expressionist is more flexible than their Junior Artist set. They blend pretty well, and can be used for first layer/preliminary/background work, or as a second layer (or more!).
-Artist's Loft Oil Pastel Set-http://www.michaels.com/artists-loft-oil-pastels/M10331044.html -A good example of an academic oil pastel set. Still great to have as backup/quick sketching/practice.
-Hoblein Oil Pastel Sets-http://www.dickblick.com/products/holbein-artists-oil-pastel-sets/ -Wonderful to use, they mix well, and are great to use for your first layer or for background coloring!
-Sennelier Oil Pastel Sets-http://www.dickblick.com/products/sennelier-oil-pastel-sets/ -Probably the most expensive, but richest in color, variety, blending, and long-lasting (as long as NONE of the oil pastels are in a a hot room or exposed to sunlight for long periods), would be Sennelier. Use this for your top layers (after the hard or medium oil pastels/dry pastel layers). A lot of colors available, and is very flexible to use with other oil pastel/dry pastel brands!
-Caran d'Ache Neopastels-http://www.dickblick.com/products/caran-dache-neopastel-sets/ -Great selection of colors, bright, and blends pretty well, use these oil pastels for background/first layer or top layer (for finer details).
-Portfolio Series Watersoluable Oil Pastel Sets-http://www.dickblick.com/products/portfolio-series-watersoluble-oil-pastels/ -Wonderful to use, since you don't need to use solvents. All you need to use is water to create wash effects!
-Creatacolor AquaStics Oil Pastel Sets-http://www.dickblick.com/products/cretacolor-aquastics/ -Another great set! Just use water!
(NOTE: If you wish to explore alternative brands/options, Dick Blick's web site is great to view a variety of brands: http://www.dickblick.com/categories/oil-pastels/)
Air Purifiers/Filters (Note: They're not cheap!):
-Allerair Air Purifier-http://www.dickblick.com/products/allerair-air-purifiers/
-Allerair AirMedic Air Purifier-http://www.dickblick.com/products/allerair-airmedic-air-purifier/
Recipe Examples (Note: If you tempt to make your own pastels, please be careful!):
-Oil Pastels: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/know/2544
Books:
-The Pastel Book by Bill Creevy-http://www.amazon.com/Pastel-Book-Bill-Creevy/dp/0823039056/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399078057&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Pastel+Book -Excellent book for those that want to start out with pastels!
-Painting with Pastels: Easy Techniques to Master the Medium by Maggie Price-http://www.amazon.com/Painting-Pastels-Techniques-Master-Medium-ebook/dp/B0056JSKSY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399078069&sr=1-1&keywords=Painting+with+Pastels%3A+Easy+Techniques+to+Master+the+Medium -Another great book to use if you're starting out with pastel!
-Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter by John Elliot-http://www.amazon.com/Oil-Pastel-Serious-Beginner-Becoming/dp/0823033112/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399077606&sr=1-1&keywords=oil+pastel+for+the+serious+beginner -Excellent book for those that are starting out with oil pastels. I would read this, along with...
-Oil Pastel: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist by Kenneth Leslie-http://www.amazon.com/Oil-Pastel-Materials-Techniques-Todays/dp/0823033104/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399077778&sr=1-1&keywords=oil+pastel+materials+and+techniques+for+today%27s+artist -Another excellent book, it shows you what you can do with oil pastels!
-V.V.
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