Becoming proficient with pastels requires a slight learning curve, but they become easy enough to work with when you get used to them. In your sketchbook, try the following methods with your pastels. You may want to try these on both your sketchbook paper and on your pastel paper. Click through the slideshow to learn about each of the methods.
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Drawing with the Pastel End
Pastels can be used to draw in the traditional sense. Use the end of the pastel to make sweeping and expressive lines. In your sketchbook, simply draw an object near you that is made up of mostly lines (flowers, trees, etc.). The line weight (thickness) can be varied by the amount of pressure you apply.
Drawing with the Pastel Edge
Using the pastel edge is a good way to lay down large areas of color. Pastels can even be broken into the size that is needed for the area you are filling in. Try creating a background for the object you drew for the first prompt.
Blending
Blending occurs when the pastel pigment is pressed or rubbed into the drawing surface. Use blending when you need to create a smooth gradation of value. Try creating a simple object that has a value change (like a sphere or other three-dimensional shape) and use blending to create the gradient. Draw three more objects using different tools for blending, such as your fingers, a cotton bud (Q-tip), a paper towel, a blending stump (if you have one), or cotton fabric (towel or old t-shirt).
Scumbling
Scumbling with pastels is different than scumbling with colored pencils. When working with pastels, scumbling simply means to add pigment lightly. This can be done by lightly moving the pastel over the drawing surface or by lightly rolling it over the surface. The pigment or base underneath will show through with this method. This is great for creating texture and highlights. Try adding scumbling to two of the objects you created to practice blending.
Feathering
Feather is done by applying the pastel in short, quick lines and resembles the hatching done with other media. This method is great for creating details, like grass in a field, or for giving objects volume. It is also used, like scumbling, to create texture and highlights. Try using feathering on the other two objects you created while blending to enhance the effects of light and give the objects texture.
Pastels are a fairly intuitive media, meaning that if you play around with them long enough, you will learn the best way to work with them. However, there are a few tips and tricks that can make them easier to work with right away. Look at each image and see if you can guess what the tip is. Then click on the image to learn a tip for working with pastels.
Having wet wipes with you will be helpful if you are a finger blender-type artist. It is important to keep your tools (fingers) clean so that you don't accidentally mix colors that you don't want mixed.
Eat cake while you work! Just kidding! This hint is referring to layering! Always work with small amounts of color and layer them on top of each other. This is how you get colors that have depth and brilliance. Working in layers also allows you to rework areas early on because there won't be too much pigment for you to erase.
Wax paper is a great tool for working with pastels. It can be used as a shield so that your artwork doesn't get smudged before you are ready to spray it with a fixative. Simply lay a piece of wax paper over your artwork before putting it away.
As with any medium, it is important to practice working with pastels to learn how they behave. Play around with them in your sketchbook until you feel comfortable working with them.
