- Start with a sketch: Before starting the painting, make a rough sketch of the subject you want to paint. This will help you get an idea of the composition and placement of elements in the painting.
- Layering: Oil pastels are known for their ability to create rich, vibrant colors. To achieve this effect, layer different colors on top of each other. Start with lighter shades and gradually build up to darker ones.
- Blending: Blending is an essential technique when working with oil pastels. Use your fingers or a blending tool to blend colors together seamlessly. This will help create a smooth transition between different shades and give your painting a more polished look.
- Add details: Once you have laid down the basic colors and blended them together, it’s time to add details. Use a fine-tipped pastel or a sharpened pencil to add highlights and shadows, as well as any other small details that will bring your painting to life.
- Fixative: To protect your finished work from smudging or fading, apply a fixative spray over the surface of the painting. Hold the can about 10 inches away from the surface and spray in short bursts until the entire painting is covered.
Are you tired of leaving your oil pastel paintings unfinished? Do you struggle to achieve the desired effect and bring your artwork to completion? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many artists face similar challenges when working with oil pastels – a medium that requires patience, skill and technique.
But fear not! With the right guidance and approach, you can finish your oil pastel painting and create stunning pieces of art that truly showcase your talent. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks on how to finish oil pastel painting, from blending techniques to layering methods, color selection and more.
So grab your favorite set of oil pastels and let’s dive in! With a bit of practice and perseverance, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.
How to Finish Oil Pastel Painting – The Quick Answer:
Learn the basic steps for finishing an oil pastel painting, including fixing mistakes, defining shapes with darker colors, adding highlights with lighter colors or white oil pastels, blending colors with a blending tool, and adding final touches such as texture or complementary colors. Use a kneaded eraser or colorless blender to fix mistakes before finishing.
Basic Steps for Finishing an Oil Pastel Painting
Oil pastel paintings are a unique way of creating art, and they require a specific approach when it comes to finishing them. Here are some basic steps you can take to finish your oil pastel painting:
1. Fix any mistakes:
Before you start finishing your oil pastel painting, it’s essential to fix any mistakes that may have occurred during the creation process. Use a kneaded eraser or a colourless blender to remove unwanted colours or smudges.
2. Define the shapes:
Use darker colours to define the shapes in your painting. This will help create contrast and bring out the details in your artwork.
3. Add highlights:
Next, use lighter colours or white oil pastels to add highlights where necessary. This will help make certain areas of your painting stand out and give it more depth.
4. Blend colours:
To create a smooth and cohesive look, blend the colours together using a blending tool such as a paper stump or your finger.
5. Add final touches:
Finally, add any final touches, such as adding texture with different strokes or using complementary colours to enhance certain areas of your painting.
Fixing Mistakes in an Oil Pastel Painting Before Finishing
Mistakes can happen when creating an oil pastel painting, but fortunately, there are ways to fix them before finishing the artwork:
Kneaded eraser:
A kneaded eraser is an excellent tool for removing unwanted marks from your painting without damaging the surface of the paper. It works by absorbing the pigment from the oil pastels without leaving any residue behind.
Hairspray:
Hairspray can also be used to fix mistakes in oil pastel paintings. Spray a small amount on the area that needs fixing and then use a blending tool to blend the colours together.
Colourless blender:
A colourless blender is specifically designed for blending and smoothing out oil pastels. It can also be used to remove unwanted colours or smudges from your painting.
Cotton swabs:
Cotton swabs are an inexpensive way of removing unwanted marks from your oil pastel painting. Simply dip the cotton swab in a bit of rubbing alcohol and gently scrub away the unwanted marks.
Materials Needed to Finish an Oil Pastel Painting
The following materials are needed to finish an oil pastel painting:
Oil Pastels:
Oil pastels are the primary medium used in creating and finishing an oil pastel painting. They come in different colours, shades, and textures, making them ideal for adding depth and texture to your artwork.
Paper:
Choosing the right paper is crucial when it comes to finishing an oil pastel painting. Choose a paper that can withstand multiple layers of oil pastels without tearing or smudging easily.
Blending tools:
Blending tools such as paper stumps, tortillons, or even your fingers are essential when it comes to creating smooth transitions between colours in your artwork.
Fixative spray:
A fixative spray is used as a final step in protecting your finished artwork from smudging or fading. It’s essential to choose a fixative spray that’s compatible with oil pastels.
Additional materials include:
- Kneaded eraser
- Cotton swabs
- Hairspray (optional)
Protecting Your Finished Oil Pastel Painting from Smudging or Fading
Oil pastel paintings are prone to smudging and fading if not properly protected. Here are some tips on how to protect your finished oil pastel painting:
Use a fixative spray:
A fixative spray is specifically designed to protect artwork from smudging or fading. It’s essential to choose a fixative that’s compatible with oil pastels.
Frame your artwork:
Framing your artwork will help protect it from dust, dirt, and other harmful elements that can cause damage over time.
Avoid direct sunlight:
Direct sunlight can cause oil pastels to fade over time. It’s best to display your artwork in an area that doesn’t receive direct sunlight.
Handle with care:
Oil pastels are delicate and can easily be smudged if handled improperly. It’s important to handle your finished artwork with care and avoid touching the surface of the painting.
Techniques for Adding Texture and Depth to Your Finished Oil Pastel Painting
Adding texture and depth is an essential part of finishing an oil pastel painting. Here are some techniques you can use to add texture and depth to your artwork:
Hatching:
Hatching is a technique where you create parallel lines in different directions using varying colours of oil pastels. This technique is ideal for creating texture in a specific area of the painting.
Cross-hatching:
Similar to hatching, cross-hatching involves creating intersecting lines using different colours of oil pastels. This technique creates more texture than hatching alone.
Sgraffito:
Sgraffito involves scraping away layers of colour using a sharp tool such as a toothpick or a palette knife. This technique is ideal for creating highlights and adding texture to your painting.
Stippling:
Stippling involves creating small dots of colour using oil pastels of different shades. This technique is ideal for creating texture in specific areas of the painting.
Typical Timeframe for Finishing an Oil Pastel Painting
The timeframe for finishing an oil pastel painting can vary depending on the complexity of the artwork and the artist’s skill level. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few hours to several days to finish an oil pastel painting.
Factors that can affect the timeframe include:
- The size of the artwork
- The amount of detail required
- The artist’s experience level
- The number of layers needed
Special Considerations and Techniques for Finishing a Large-Scale Oil Pastel Painting
Finishing a large-scale oil pastel painting requires some special considerations and techniques:
Use a sturdy surface:
When working on a large-scale oil pastel painting, it’s essential to use a sturdy surface such as foam board or masonite board to prevent warping or bending.
Bigger blending tools:
Using larger blending tools such as foam rollers or paintbrushes will help cover more ground when blending colours together.
Work in sections:
Working in sections when creating a large-scale oil pastel painting can make it more manageable and less overwhelming. It also allows you to focus on smaller details without getting lost in the bigger picture.
Different Styles and Approaches to Finishing an Oil Pastel Painting
There are various styles and approaches when it comes to finishing an oil pastel painting. Here are a few:
Realism:
Realism involves creating a painting that looks as close to reality as possible. It requires attention to detail and precise techniques such as cross-hatching and sgraffito.
Impressionism:
Impressionism involves using loose brushstrokes and vibrant colours to create a painting that captures the essence of a scene or subject.
Abstract:
Abstract oil pastel paintings involve using colours and shapes to create a painting that’s open to interpretation. This style allows for more creativity and freedom in the finishing process.
In conclusion, finishing an oil pastel painting requires a few simple steps such as fixing the colors with a fixative spray and framing it properly. By following these steps, you can enhance the longevity and vibrancy of your artwork.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Finish Oil Pastel Painting
Do you need to seal an oil pastel painting?
To prevent oil pastel pigment from smudging or moving, there are two options. One is to carefully avoid touching the painting or layering the colors in a way that avoids smudging. Alternatively, a fixative can be applied over the painting to stabilize the pigment and prevent movement or smudging.
How do you seal pastel paintings?
Place your piece on the foam board, and use scrapbooking tape to secure each corner.
Can you varnish an oil pastel painting?
Oil and wax pastels do not dry and are best displayed with a protective layer of glass. Varnishing is not recommended, but if it is attempted, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for sealants and fixatives. This advice was last given on July 14th, 2020.
What can you use to seal oil pastel?
When working with fumes, it is important to wear gloves. Therefore, to protect my artwork, I place it inside a cardboard box.
Should oil pastel paintings be framed under glass?
To prevent unintentional smudging and harm, pastel paintings must be framed with a glass cover. Nevertheless, the painting must not come into contact with the glass as the pastel particles will adhere to it, potentially causing damage to the painting.
How do you preserve an oil pastel picture?
For artwork containing oil pastels, the most effective method for preservation is to frame it behind either glass or Plexiglass. In order to prevent contact with the glass, it is recommended to use a double mat or another thick mat.
