How to use soft pastels for drawing and coloring. How to use soft pastels? In our e-commerce dedicated to the world of art, we present the best soft pastels, from Talens Rembrandt to Sennelier, and in recent months we have noticed a significant growth of interest in these dry pastels. Could it be because there is a widespread desire to return to a more immediate pictorial technique, starting from pure pigment?
Could it be because some documentary about the pastel painting technique was released on Netflix that we overlooked? We don’t have an answer, but we’re happy all the same. Yes, because soft pastels (or dry, as you prefer to call them) are fantastic tools, extraordinarily versatile and fascinating, capable of adapting to the most different techniques and needs.
How to use soft pastels?
Of course, starting from scratch with soft pastels isn’t easy. Both those who have never drawn and those accustomed to other painting techniques will find themselves, at least at the beginning, a little lost. But it will last very little: when all your fingers are covered with the most different colors, love will probably trigger. In other posts, we have explained to you what are the characteristics of Rembrandt soft pastels and Sennelier dry pastels. Today, however, we will explain how to generally use soft pastels, introducing you to the main techniques.
Everything you need to use soft pastels
Before seeing how to use soft pastels, it is good to dwell on the necessary material. First of all, dry pastels will be needed, which can be purchased in bulk or sets. In our online shop, you can buy packs of 12, 24, 40, or 80 pieces, as well as unique sets on particular tones, such as Lyra’s ‘Brown Tone’ or ‘Gray Tone’ packs. In addition to dry crayons, you will need support. Which paper to use with soft crayons? Well, you will need a strong and not too smooth paper, even if it is not said that it is necessary to throw yourself on the rough grain paper.
Those who intend to combine pastels with water – as we will see later – should opt for a block of watercolor paper. In addition to soft pastels and writing, you also need various accessories chosen according to the techniques you want to use. You will almost certainly need some lotus drawing with colored pencils to make the initial sketch of your work, and then a smudge and an eraser (which, as we will see, will not only be used to erase the pencil). You will then be able to use brushes and, possibly, a small container for water. Finally, given the volatile nature of crayons, you will undoubtedly need a can of fixative spray.
How to use soft pastels? Methods of application
You should know that when it comes to crayons, there are different methods of application. Do you learn the various techniques that you can use with colored pencils? Here, there are many more ways to use soft crayons. (In this regard, it is good to remember that crayons are not pencils, and you cannot ‘tip’ them. At most, they can be broken or cut to have ‘edges’). The first and simplest method is hatching, very similar to what is done with colored pencils: one line after another, short parallel strokes are drawn to color a part of the sheet. You can opt for double hatching to have a more intense color, which involves overlapping the first with another series of perpendicular lines to saturate the surface.
Another technique for using dry pastels, which comes straight from Impressionism, is pointillism, with close points. And again, a technique to create very particular colors is to use pastels of different colors and, instead of making dashes or dots, make small scribbles, one next to and on top of the other, with the colors that end up fading and creating an otherwise unattainable effect. However, the most used technique to apply the pastel is undoubtedly the one that involves spreading the color with the fingers.
Once the paint has been applied to the sheet, proceed with the simple fingers without pressing too much (to remove too much shade). In addition to the fingers, you can use the smudge, pieces of cotton, and brushes, which can be dry or slightly wet, to have a result very similar to watercolor. Then there are other particular techniques. To define the highlights on your portrait, draw hair, or create reflections, you can, for example, use a corner of your eraser, compellingly defining the illuminated areas.
How to blend soft pastels
There are many different techniques to blend soft pastels: combining two colors and mixing with a streak, finger, or brush (dry or wet). In any case, when working with overlapping, it is always good to start with the darker color, on which you can then overlap the lighter one.
How to draw with dry crayons
Once you have mastered the application and blending techniques, using soft pastels becomes simple. To do your first job with these tools, you will have to start from a pencil sketch (if you want the lines to remain visible even at the end of the work, you will have to ink them, possibly being careful to let the ink dry before approaching with pastels and your fingers).
Once this is done, starting from the top – so as not to dirty the paper with your hand – you can begin painting with your pastels, using the technique you like best: indeed, you will have to start experimenting using your fingers! To insert more details and brightness, you can also use quality colored pencils towards the end. At this point, all you have to do is use the fixative spray to make your work eternal.
Also Read: How to draw a horse
Then there are other particular techniques. To define the highlights on your portrait, draw hair, or create reflections, you can, for example, use a corner of your eraser, compellingly defining the illuminated areas. There are many different techniques to blend soft pastels.
