Do you want to try your hands on soft pastel drawing but have no idea how to start? We’ve put together the information you need to get you started.
Pastel Drawing is one of the simplest but most incredible forms of art. The beginning of pastel drawing dates back to the 17th century, although there’s a history of the use of powdered pigments long before then. Over three centuries after, pastels have not waned in popularity, and it’s not surprising why. It’s easy to use, requires no drying time, and retains the quality of the color. With various colors available, artists have a fascinating world of stunning effects, crisp lines, and smooth textures.
If you’re new to soft pastel drawing, it won’t take long for you to fly the art, like Degas, Manet, and Renoir – some of its pioneers. But first, you need to start with the basics. We’re going to guide you through all you need to know about soft pastel drawing as a beginner. So, let’s get to it!
What Are Pastels Made Of?
Pastels are made from finely-ground pigments mixed with binders such as gum tragacanth and gum arabic and formed into sticks. They are usually dry and, unlike paints, require no mixing of colors. Instead, you’ll have to employ a blending or layering technique right on the drawing surface to achieve a stunning mix, like dramatic skies.
Soft pastels have more pigments than binders, giving them color and a feathery texture. Also, they’re easy to blend, allowing you to create unbelievable magic in your drawings. You can easily get a box of soft pastels in stores, and there is an array of manufacturers to choose from. Some of the top brands include Great American, Terry Ludwig, Rembrandt, and PanPastels.
Getting Started: Must-Have Tools
Having the following materials right by your side will make your soft pastel drawing journey as smooth as possible:
A drawing board and some clips – to hold your paper when drawing. Storage boxes – to keep your pastels in place, helping you avoid disorganization of the working areaBlending tools, such as cotton swabs, paper stumps, and tissueTracing paper – to prevent incidences of smudgingErasers – to clean pastels from the drawing surfaceWipes – to remove pastel dust
With these tools ready, you’re set to begin drawing with soft pastels. Let’s take a look at some invaluable tips and techniques.
Tips and Techniques
1. Grips
With soft pallets, you can draw directly on the surface without using a brush or any other tool. As a result, your grip of the pastel stick will determine the stroke you make. You’ll have to pay attention to how you hold the stick and the pressure you apply on it when working. There’s no one way to hold a pastel stick, so trying out different ways will get you acquainted with the different strokes you can make.
Using the point of the pastel stick will produce thin lines; using the side will produce thick, hazardous lines, and using the end will give you thick, rounded strokes. As a beginner, your best bet is to experiment with as many styles as possible.
2. Masking
One of the first things you notice when drawing with soft pastels is the difficulty of making sharp edges. The most effective way around that is masking, which involves using tracing paper to make clean, firm edges. First, draw the shape of the object on tracing paper and cut it out. Then paint the background, place the tracing paper over it, and add the colors to the edge. After that, carefully peel off the mask to reveal the fine edges.
3. Blending
Most painting forms allow you to mix the colors on a palette before applying them to the surface. But with soft palette painting, the only place you can mix the hues is on the drawing surface – a process referred to as blending. When blending, you have a variety of options, depending on what you want to achieve. For example, blending the colors thoroughly will give you a smooth and solid area of color. On the other hand, allowing strokes of different colors will give you more texture.
What can you use to blend? Interestingly, you can blend with various tools, including tortillas, rags, brushes, pastel pencils, and even your fingers. Eventually, the tools you use will depend on the type of blend you want to make.
4. Correcting Errors
You’re likely to make lots of mistakes as a beginner, and that’s completely normal. So, when you make a stroke you shouldn’t have, what do you do? If you applied the pastel more than you wanted, you could use a kneaded eraser to clean off some hues. You have to do this carefully, so you don’t strengthen the pigments on the surface. Alternatively, you can use a craft knife to remove the pigment from the surface carefully. Also, you’ll need to employ great care to avoid ruining the drawing surface.
You can also use a combination of methods to correct a mistake. Use a hard, bristle brush to remove the hue you want to fix. Then apply a pastel of the right color to the area. Finally, remove leftover particles with a kneaded eraser.
Are pastel drawings permanent?
The pastel will remain on the surface for as long as possible, depending on the pigments and surface used, as well as storage.
How many pastel colors should I start with?
When you’re starting with soft pastel drawing, you don’t have to buy many pastel colors. A couple of primary and secondary colors, alongside several white and black pastel sticks, will do. A set of 30 pastel sticks is enough for a beginner. With time, you’ll come to develop a set of colors that really work for you.
How do I clean pastel sticks?
You can easily clean your pastel sticks with paper towels. Alternatively, place the pastels in a box of cornmeal to get rid of unwanted colors.
