Pastels can be used in a variety of ways and each of the pastel techniques outlined here can be used individually, or combined with another.
With pastel there is no right or wrong way – it simply comes down to what you enjoy doing with your pastels. Remember that each of these techniques should be tried with hard, semi-soft and soft pastels, because each one gives a slightly different result.
The same counts for different pastel brands.
Technique 1: Drawing with the end of a pastel
The simplest way to use a pastel is to draw with the end, as you would with a pencil or pen. The line you draw has great expression and conveys a sense of the gesture you made. The thickness of the line can easily be altered by varying the pressure applied to the pastel – the more pressure, the more pastel will be left on the sheet. The gentler you press (or if you use the edge) the thinner the lines you draw.
Tip! Use your entire arm to move when you draw. This encourages broader, looser drawing.
Technique 2: Drawing with the edge of a pastel
For the artist who wants to work quickly and create large blocks of colour, the side of a pastel stick is perfect. For optimal results, break a stick in half and then use it. Don’t feel bad about breaking your pastel – remember that even the smallest fragment of pastel is still usable! If you alter the pressure, it will create different degrees of texture. When the side of the pastel has worn down, the two resulting sharp edges can also be used to create a fine line
Tip! This technique works best with semi-soft or soft pastels.
Technique 3: Hatching and cross-hatching
This technique will be familiar to anyone with any drawing experience. Hatching, a set of parallel lines (preferably fine lines) drawn closely together, is best suited to pencils or hard pastel sticks. Cross-hatching is a step further – the drawing of a second set of lines at an angle, most often at right angles to the first set. This method is particularly useful in pastel painting for the initial blocking in of a painting as it allows to experiment with colour and tone in a loose, flexible way.
Tip! This method can be used to create a sense of form and shape by varying the direction of the cross-hatching.
Technique 4: Blending pastels
Pastels are never mixed before they are put together on paper, unlike most other mediums. There are two ways to create colour and tone variations. The first is optical blending, which is achieved by having colours in close proximity, and the second is blending, which refers to the pastel being mixed on the paper. There is a wide range to choose from regarding tools to use for blending. The most traditional is the finger, with the option to wear a surgical glove to protect the skin. Other available options are using the side of the hand, paper tools, putty rubbers, cloths and cotton wool.
Tip! If you’re using your hand or finger, remember to clean it regularly to avoid interference from colours previously mixed.
Technique 5: Scumbling pastels
Possibly the best method to achieve a different type of vibrancy with your pastel colours, is by scumbling. After a layer of pastel has been applied and fixed, drag a soft pastel lightly on its side across the top. It creates a broken covering of the new colour over the top. The result? A visually stimulating, textural and careful choice of colours will produce amazing results!
Tip! The best pastels to use for this method are the softest pastels.
Technique 6: Feathering with pastels
Feathering is a fine-tuned form of hatching using short strokes to achieve a result much like scumbling – it adds a vibrancy to your painting. Feathering also works for optical mixing of colours where colours are mixed with the eye, rather than being blended on paper.
Tip! If you want to give the appearance of iridescence of fabric, feathers and scales or create atmospheric effects with light, this the method to use.
Technique 7: Dusting with pastels
As an alternative to scumbling, try dusting. Hold a pastel over an existing block of colour and scrape the stick’s surface to create dust. Once you are satisfied with the arrangement of dust on your canvas, press the dust into the surface using a palette knife.
Tip! This is much easier done with the painting held horizontally, because the dust will fall exactly where you aim for it to and not affect the rest of your picture.
Written by: Marleen Theunissen
Creative writer at ATKA SA
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