Pastels are sticks of pigment held together by a binder. Traditionally, gypsum was used as a binder, but today other materials are also used, such as glue or wax. With the pastel technique you can overlap and blend different bright colors, obtaining a soft effect. Pastels have been the favorite instrument of many famous artists, such as Manet, Degas and Renoir.
Steps
Step 1. Choose the type of crayons
- Buy a small pack. There are packs of 24 and 36, but for most designs, a set of 12 is more than enough. You can choose specific tints, such as earth colors or gray tints.
- Soft pastels are best suited for blending colors, while hard pastels are used for details. There are also pastel pencils, commonly used for drawing thin lines and outlines.
Step 2. Use an appropriate paper or drawing surface
You will need a paper with a good "grain" that can absorb the pigment and retain it. In the shops of articles for drawing and fine arts you will find the specific paper for the pastel technique. You can also use carbon paper, burlap or fine sandpaper for design.
Step 3. Get a pencil for blending and a rubber to erase
- Use the specific pencils to blend the crayons, instead of your fingers, so your hands will stay clean.
- Work the foam rubber to make it flexible, then press it onto the part to be erased. Roll and knead the gum again to clean it of pigment. Never use a regular eraser to remove the pigment.
Step 4. Make a sketch of your design
Draw a light sketch with a pastel pencil or hard pastel.
Step 5. Work dark to light
Start with the darkest colors, filling in the parts of the design you have chosen, starting with the darkest one and arriving in order of shades to the lighter ones, blending and overlapping as desired.
Step 6. Always remove crayon dust from the drawing
Do not blow it away, as you may inhale it and it will irritate your airways. If you have sensitive bronchi, you can wear a face mask to protect yourself.
- If you are working in a horizontal plane, take your design outside and drop the dust on the ground.
- If you are using an easel, the dust will slide off the drawing on its own. Your design will stay clean, but your floor will not. You could put a rag under the easel to collect the crayon dust.
Step 7. Keep your hands clean
Use wet wipes or wear gloves to prevent pigment from settling on the skin. You may stain the design if you have dirty hands, especially if you use your fingers to blend.
Step 8. Clean the crayons after use
Use a dry cloth or paper towels to remove any pigments that stuck during the drawing. You can keep pastels clean by storing them inside uncooked rice.
Step 9. Spray a fixative on the design when finished to prevent stains
The fixative contains toxic substances: read the instructions carefully before applying it.
- You can apply fixative to separate different layers of color. This way you can color over another pigment without mixing or blending them.
- If you choose to transport your design before you have applied a fixative, or if you don't want to apply it at all, protect the design with a sheet of non-acidic clear paper. Many artists don't use fixative because it changes the color tones they used.
Advice
- Do not apply too much pressure or the pigment will stain.
- Keep pastel pencils in a separate container.
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Iris 1 * A pastel work is considered a painting if the entire surface is covered with color. If it is only partially colored, it is called a pastel drawing.
