I just finished The Oil Pastel Course and I cannot believe that it took me this long to try out oil pastels; I’ve fallen in love with oil pastels. I’m happy with my projects, but I can see that if my goal is to get looser with expression and feel, it’s just something to keep practicing with each project. I’ve come from the colored pencil world and although I love precision at times, it’s nice to be able to lay down loose swaths of color with oil pastel and to be able to go back and cover things up if I change my mind (within reason of course).
I used the recommended types of papers (Canson Mi Teintes papers and Canson XL watercolor paper). I started off with using the Cray-Pas Expressionists, but then I switched over to using the Erengi ArtAspirer oil pastels for the base layers and using softer brands like Haiya, Arrtx, and SoHo Urban Artist for subsequent layers. Although I like the Erengi oil pastels for their control and lay down, it’s become clearer to me while working with them that they require a bit more mechanical manipulation via tools or use with not-as-soft oil pastels to truly be able to take advantage of blending with them (and that I’ll need to experiment more with using other brands like the Expressionists as the base layers)
I’ve also found again and again with the projects that stylistically I naturally steer towards being more realistic in feel and look, but I want to see how far I can push the boundaries of my current style. I suppose master studies, more courses, or trying out some coloring pages with oil pastels (vs colored pencils, which is what I’ve used mostly with coloring pages for relaxing and practicing technique) are viable options, depending on my appetite?
I also really enjoyed this course and it is one of my favorites. I wish mine had turned out as nice as yours. I will look into some of the other brands that you tried.
Especially your Portrait of Matt’s son. This is Fantastic. If you scroll down you can see my post. Please do not laugh too much!
I hope you post more of your artwork and to see you at some of the live lessons. There are many in past lessons on oil pastels.
Also in the critique. I have learned so much to improve my artwork there.
I hope to see you at a live lesson Monday 12pm EST at noon - for beginners but helpful for those who are a little more advanced and on Wednesday - 8pmEST the one we are doing is advanced but also very educational.
Again, Welcome to the VI and thank you for showing us your work.
Teri w1r - there are a few Teri’s so I differentiate my name with the w1r
Thank you for the warm welcome and the info on the live lessons/sessions, Teri w1r. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that we’ve all come from different places and are at different points in our art journey (and nevermind that we also may have different goals for our art and learning). I’ve had a good amount of experience with skin tones and portraits coloring with colored pencils (mostly with existing line art/coloring pages, but with studying reference photos and learning how to interpret them). I think that you did a good job with staying looser with the oil pastels, and that’s something that is going to take a bit of practice for me to do (details, precision, and blending can be the bane of my existence at times LOL). As usual, the challenge for me is going to be how to balance my time between the art mediums and which skills to invest more time in and when!
i have some of the same issues. Sometimes I jump around like a bouncing ball. And also I agree with what you said. It’s a good reminder that we all are at a different place with different goals.
