Oil Pastel Painting: A Beginner's Journey with Curated Video (ROAM lessons 01)

One of my greatest challenges as an aspiring artist is to find time, space, and inspiration to paint. My job takes me to many places and demands a lot of thought to address the needs of my consultancy job. However, as my first love, I find comfort in painting, and I still do my best to explore this borrowed gift. I want to grow and become a professional artist. I paint to express my thoughts and feelings. It is also my way of sharing the talent I believe God has lent me. So, instead of giving up on painting, and as I also have a passion for writing, traveling, and teaching, I decided to bring my art with me. To do that, I need my art materials to travel along with me.

My current mediums are acrylic paint and oil paint. However, bringing a canvas, brushes, and tubes of paints is not always convenient. I learned that oil pastels can be a good medium for producing vibrant paintings. I remember that my first sold painting was done in a hotel way back in 2012. It was my Moon River freehand drawing, which was seen by my fellow consultant, "Ate Kathy." When she saw my drawing, she offered to buy it. I initially offered it as a gift, but she insisted on purchasing it, telling me that it would be the first of many paintings I would sell. She was right! If I count my sold paintings, I can say I have sold more than 30 artworks already, including 10 large paintings, 17 portraits, 7 hand-painted bags, 4 commissioned works, and a few others I cannot remember. I sold Moon River for just PhP 800.00, which included the cost of framing, and the highest price I've sold a painting for is PhP 27,000.00. Though I don't have a regular income flow from art, it's a promising activity that will help me continue with it until I retire.

Title:  Heartstring, oil pastel on Canson paper (sold)

Title:  The Reader Series 2, oil pastel on canvas panel

Title:  My Moon River, oil pastel on drawing paper 

Our First Step to Unlearning and Relearning with Oil Pastels 
Regarding oil pastel painting, I admit I still don’t know much about how to use it. I need to understand and connect with this new medium. So, to make it fun for me and helpful for those who wish to learn about art, come along with me on my journey as I study Oil Pastel Painting. I will share videos and reading lessons in my blog. All I ask is that you share your output by sending it through my page's messenger and comments and share this with those who would like to learn. LET’S ROAM!!!

LESSON 1 -  A Beginner's Guide to Oil Pastels: Exploring the Basics and Techniques

Introduction to Oil Pastels

I like oil pastels because they are a unique and versatile art medium that produces rich, vibrant colors and a smooth application. Unlike soft pastels, oil pastels are made with a non-drying oil and wax binder, giving them a creamy texture ideal for blending.  It is important for beginners to understand the differences between oil pastels and soft pastels because each has its distinct properties and uses.

Essential Supplies

When starting with oil pastels, selecting the right supplies is crucial. As beginners, we can choose from various brands, considering their price and color varieties. High-quality brands may be more expensive but provide better color saturation and blend-ability.  For practice purposes, we may want to start with cheaper one before investing hard-earned money. It's essential to consider the painting surface along with the pastels themselves. Oil pastels can be used on various surfaces, including canvas, wood, glass, and paper. Experimenting with different surfaces can lead to unique textures and effects.  I started with drawing paper, then moved on using Canson paper, and now I also uses canvas.

Basic Techniques

Oil pastels are amazing for exploring different techniques. One of the coolest things you can do is blending, which can be achieved using your fingers, blending stumps, or even oil solvents. It creates smooth color transitions and adds depth to your artwork. Another technique I love is impasto, where you apply thick layers of pastel to create a textured, three-dimensional effect. Also, layering and scratching techniques can add complexity to your piece by building up colors and revealing underlying layers. You may check one of the free lessons I’ve shared using layering of oil pastels in this blog. The possibilities with oil pastels are endless and make the learning process so exciting and rewarding for beginners like me.

Advantages of Oil Pastels

Oil pastels have so many advantages that make them my absolute favorite choice for artwork. I love using them for landscape painting because they blend seamlessly and create such rich, natural tones. Unlike other mediums, oil pastels don't dry out, so I can continuously work on a piece over time without any worries. Plus, they're really easy to clean and I don't need any solvents for cleanup, which makes them so convenient, especially for beginners like me. Another thing I love is that oil pastels are forgiving, so I don't have to be overly precise. I can easily correct mistakes or even incorporate them into the artwork, which gives me the freedom to experiment and be creative without any fear.

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Oil pastels offer many benefits, but they also present some challenges. One of the main drawbacks is their tendency to smudge, making it tricky to achieve fine details. To tackle this, I can use fixatives to set the pastels in place or adjust my technique to avoid accidental smudging. Another challenge is the difficulty in layering, as the creamy texture can make it hard to apply new layers over existing ones. However, with a light touch and by experimenting with different surfaces, I can build up layers and create depth in my work.

I find oil pastels to be a fun and rewarding medium that provides a wide range of possibilities for both beginners and experienced artists. They are relatively affordable, making art more accessible, and do not require extensive know-how to get started. Although there may be some challenges, such as smudging and layering, I believe that practice and experimentation can help me overcome them. Overall, oil pastels offer a great way for me to explore color, texture, and creativity in my art. Their affordability and ease of use give me the confidence to dive in and start creating.

Here's the video I watched tonight. I'm sharing it because it's not too long, and you'll better understand this medium's characteristics and features. I've also included other reading sources below.

References:

1. Pencils Pens & Pastels for Drawing | George Weil Art Supplies. https://www.georgeweil.com/pastels-pencils-pens-ink/

2. 5 Best Cheap Oil Pastels: Affordable Art Supplies Guide. https://www.art592.com/cheap-oil-pastels/

3. Adobe Fresco Vs Photoshop: Which One Suits Your Design Needs? - ITU Online. https://www.ituonline.com/blogs/adobe-fresco-vs-photoshop/

4. Analysis of an artwork: Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. https://www.myfirstcanvas.com/post/analysis-of-an-artwork-mona-lisa-by-leonardo-da-vinci

5. How to use Oil Pastels for Beginners | Find Your Art Medium Ep. 8, by Francis Art Studio. https://youtu.be/2seqHHGb7aw?si=JlENUTo4bT-Xk7Qs

How to Draw or Sketch Inanimate Objects Easily?

Freehand sketching is a form of drawing that doesn't rely on technical aids or precise measurements. It allows for a more expressive and creative representation of objects and scenes. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do freehand sketching:

Materials you'll need:

1. Pencil (preferably an HB or 2B for versatility)
2. Sketchbook or plain paper
3. Eraser
4. Optional: Charcoal or pen for experimenting with different styles
   
   

Step-by-step guide:

1. Observe and choose a subject: Look around your surroundings or find a reference image or object to sketch. Start with simple objects or scenes when you're just beginning.
2. Warm-up exercises: Before diving into your main sketch, do warm-up exercises to sync your hand and mind. Try drawing circles, straight lines, curves, and squiggles to loosen up your wrist.
3. Basic shapes and proportions: Start by blocking the basic outlines of your subject. Use simple geometric forms like circles, ovals, rectangles, or triangles to represent different subject elements. Pay attention to the proportions and relationships between these shapes.
4. Light lines: Begin sketching with light, faint streaks. Avoid pressing too hard on the pencil to make it easier to adjust and refine your sketch later.
5. Contour lines: Focus on the outlines or contours of your subject. Follow the edges and curves to define the shape. Remember, you're not aiming for perfection, so don't fear imperfections or mistakes.
6. Details and shading: Add more details to your sketch once you have the basic outline. Observe the shadows and highlights to add depth and dimension to your drawing. Use hatching (parallel lines), cross-hatching (overlapping lines), or stippling (dots) to create different shading effects.
7. Keep it loose and expressive: Embrace the imperfections and variations in your sketch. Freehand drawing is about capturing the essence and feel of the subject rather than creating a perfect replica.
8. Practice regularly: Freehand sketching, like any skill, improves with practice. Set aside time each day or week to draw different subjects and experiment with various techniques.
9. Learn from others: Study the works of other artists and sketchers. Watch tutorials, read books on sketching, and attend workshops to learn new techniques and gather inspiration.
10. Be patient and have fun: Don't be too hard on yourself if your sketches don't turn out as you imagined. Keep experimenting, exploring, and enjoying the process of freehand sketching.

Remember, the beauty of freehand sketching lies in its spontaneity and individuality. Let your style and creativity shine through, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Happy sketching!

Free online lesson on Oil Pastel Drawing - Saturday Art Class excerpts

Last 22 April 2023, we had a face-to-face online class at my Cascade Art Studio in Project 4, Quezon City. The medium we used was oil pastel. This medium is cheaper than oil paint, easier to manage by children, and for art experts, it can be very versatile if we learn how to manage its use.

CASCADE's Saturday Art Classes are affordable classes on art for children and adults. We offer PHP 350 per participant for a two (2) days-2 hours session on Saturdays. I have a regular job and still wish to share my talent in art by holding these art classes at home. Art classes are expensive, not to mention the prices of art materials. But Art Classes can be of big help to individuals to improve their focus and divert unwanted thoughts. It can also be self-expression or a form of mental health exercise.

Today, I am sharing an excerpt from our Saturday Art Classes. We hope you'll get inspired by this, and if you wish to join our Saturday Art Classes, feel free to message me using the links in this blog or at my FB Account: CASCADE Art Studio.

We also encourage you to share your work through the comment box. You may also send a direct message. I will feature your work in our blog.

You may also visit my YouTube for the next featured video:  https://youtu.be/uLn2DYmrh1s

AFFORDABLE SATURDAY ART CLASSES - MEET OUR CASCADE KIDS

I woke up excited this Saturday morning as this would be the very 1st Face-to-Face Saturday Art Classes that we will have since 2019.  We were supposed to launch the 1st class on March 2019, but pandemic occur.  We were not able to launch our school and the author just continued developing programs and learning materials for our website.  You will find useful lessons through our Free Art Lesson tab.  

Learning on your own, without a mentor or someone to critique your work is difficult.  As a learner, you would appreciate the guidance of an art teacher.  Though art maybe innate for our children, having a teacher speeds up the process of learning.

We always wanted to develop the skills of children and adults in creative arts.  But many of the offered classes are quite expensive.  And so we tried to trim down the cost of having a class by taping our friends to share their abode as venue for classes.  Luckily, Ms. Leslie Esternon helped us by opening her doors for our learners.  

The families or the parents will also spend more buying art materials.  But as a learned artist, we know that it is very essential to understand our materials first before we buy expensive branded products when we can secure less expensive art materials through bulk orders.  This is one of our strategies to lower the cost of the classes.  Thus, as part of our two-days session, we already added the handouts, drawing materials and the 2-days workshop session at Leslie's place.  

The first live class started on October 22, 2022, 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.  We had 10 students, four of which are teenagers and six are from age 8 to 10 years old.  The younger children are guided by Ate Rose and the teens are guided by Lolo Rey.  It was fun and they were given assignments so that they will be able to learn practice what they learned.  Here are some of the shots for the 1st day...

FREE ART LESSON #7: Portraiture or drawing faces: Freehand Drawing (Simple and Easy to follow steps)

 We had a three-day vacation last Saturday until Monday (August 27 to 29, 2022).  We went to a place where there's no data or wifi, and the cottage that we rented have no TV programs.  What we have are open cabanas, videoke, and a large pool.  We indeed enjoyed our stay and was able to relax because there's no internet that would occupy us, so we spent so much time bonding with family members.

This was my output during the said outing

Whenever I don't feel like swimming, I spent time doing freehand drawing.  And so our topic for today, is how you can draw a portrait, without having rulers, or grid lines but just a reference.  This approach is a freehand drawing.  Usually, if there are no scales, it is quite difficult to find where to place the parts of a face.  But with this simple guide of using circles, and shapes, you'll find it easy to draw faces.  

I have included a video at the latter part of this article.  I promised the video owner, https://www.youtube.com/c/ChommangDrawing, that I'll acknowledge him.  Check out his channel and you'll get useful tutorials on drawing.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTION ON DRAWING FACES

This will be our reference photo:

   Step 1:  First, draw a circle, which is our guide for the upper portion of the face.  If you will visualize a skull, the upper part of the head is spherical in shape. 

 Step 2:  Now find the location of eyes, nose and lips.  Cut horizontally the circle by placing a very light line.  This will be the upper lid of the eyes or where you place the brows.  If your reference picture is looking sideways, about 45 degrees, then the vertical line guide for the nose would be about 1/3 of the circle.  Draw two smaller circles for the eyes socket and a slim pear-shaped for the nose.  Take note, the end of the nose may be very close to the lower outline of the circle. 

Draw the lower shape of the face, which is the chin.  The mid line of this shape would be the place for the mouth.  Draw a line at the mouth's opening, and the upper lip and lower lip to follow.  

You may now proceed with erasing some parts of the head that you feel is not needed; determine now the exact shape of the face by outlining with heavier marks.

 Since one ear is showing, draw its outline.  Usually, the upper part of the ear starts under the brows and ends at the end of the nose.

Step 3:  Proceed with detailing.  Draw the eyes as to how you see it.  Followed by the nose and lips.  If you are distracted with the references, you can erase it as soon as you are able to achieve the exact shapes and details of the face.

 It is not necessary that you follow the guidelines as you draw.  If you feel that there are slight changes to make it look exactly as the photo, do change the parts.  It is advisable that you draw using light stroke first before you finalized the lines or parts of your drawing.

 For the hair, find the center where the hair parted.  Usually, the hair flows out of the sphere borders.  Use curves as to how the hair flows out.  Do not shade it yet.

 When you are able to fine the details, you may now use darker and heavier strokes for finishing the face outlines.

Step 4:  Shading - Now that you see how the face appears, erase all sketches or guides and clean up the face.  Then shades the eyes, lips, hair and other shadows.  Get the exact hue of shades so as to develop a 3D appearance or to put life to your drawing.  Highlights can be achieved by lifting out shades using your eraser.

Watch the video below to see how it's being done by the artist.  We hope you learned from this free tutorial.  Please like or follow and share to your friends.  

It's S-ART-urday!!! (Basic requirements in painting - Brushes)

Hello young artists, art enthusiasts, fellow artists and art aspirants.  I hope you are looking forward to another creative Saturday Art activity.

I have to work on two (2) paintings, one commissioned and the other is already purchased.  I just wanted to improve the latest before delivery to its new home.   I started cleaning my corner studio (because it is just a mini space in our garage) and got inspired by a hashtag I've thought of at the spur of the moment ---  it is #sARTurday.

WELCOME TO MY MICRO-STUDIO! 😝

As many of my friends know, I have a regular work from Monday to Friday and it's only during weekends and holidays that I get to do my painting.  Since the pandemic, I was not able to devout time building on the first initiative that we started when we had our CartWheel exhibit.  Now that the pandemic has been lifted, I see hope to continue this endeavor so that we can share our talents.

So now, every Saturday, we will have art moments.  Maybe I can start sharing lessons learned every Saturday, and how I pursue my art interest.  If you wish to join me, you can subscribe to my blog and you'll receive updates below.  We can also have 30 minutes #sARTurday sessions or art classes via zoom.  I'll prepare my studio, the lessons and the time so that it'll be at the most convenient time.  We invite Filipino children, as the medium of our classes would be in "Filipino" or "Tagalog".  Are you joining?  If yes, please send me a message using the "contact form for inquiries" found at the bottom of this page.

I am continuously learning as an artist.  I watch videos that would help me improve.  For today, let me  share this video by Kevin Hill, which I think would be helpful in starting up as an acrylic painter.  Then later, I will share as well what I did so that you can apply it at a smaller scale.  You've already seen my studio above as I shared with you my space which serves as my studio, my collection of brushes, and acrylic paints.  You don't need a large area to become an artist.  We need our hearts to be bigger that our excuses.  

If you don't have adequate time to complete this video, you may click on the timestamp below to watch where you left at.  

1:17 oils vs acrylics - 3:40 Difference in bristles - 5:20 Easels - 6:30 Palettes - 7:34 Colors explained - 8:55 Spending time learning - 9:35 How to setup - 11:40 plein air painting - 12:00 Cleaning - 14:45 Mediums - 17:28 Varnish - 18:02 Palette knife - 18:19 Underpainting techniques - 19:05 Sketching - 19:50 acrylic over oil paint - 20:30 Canvases - 23:43 Not making mud - 25:20 Complementary colors & warm & cool colors colors - 26:58 Color mixing practice - 28:00 mistakes - 29:10 painting ideas - 30:27 perspective - 31:35 selling paintings - 32:50 the biggest challenge

ACRYLIC BRUSHES

At 3:40 of the video above, we have seen the different bristles. Let me share the brushes I use in doing acrylic painting.

Flat Blender Brush

I uses this flat blender brush for layering and blending soft acrylic paints.  Sometimes, keeping it dry, I uses it for softening top paint and for glossing mists and fogs in landscape painting. 

Flat Brushes

There are two (2) kinds of flat brushes I use.  One is with soft bristle and the one on top is with stiff bristle.  I uses this to create natural textured paint on landscapes or still life.  You can use these in spreading, and tapping paint on canvas.  Sometimes I uses the one above as dry brush for blending acrylic colors.

Pointed Rounded Brush

These brushes are ideal for creating petals, leaves, and even fine edges for trees or houses.  It stores a lot of paint on its bristles, thus ideal for tapping and pulling paint over the canvas.

Fan Brush

I have two (2) different sizes of fan brushes.  When working on large paintings, I uses the larger one.  But most of the time, I uses the smaller one.  Usually, I uses these for creating textured grasses.  It is originally designed to create texture.  However, when it is too wet, it clumps together.  Just ready a rag to wipe out excessive liquid when clumping happens.

Angled Filbert Brush

These brushes are suited to create close-up tree leaves, flowers, tall grasses, tree limbs, etc. Its angled bristles can be used to create many different angles, for almost endless brush stroke possibilities. 

Mop brush (black fibre) and stiff flat brush (green)

The Mop brush has larger bristles with a rounded edge for broad soft paint application as well as for getting thinner glazes over existing drying layers of paint.  By using this, it will not damage the lower layers of paint.  The flat stiff brush is ideal for creating thinner lines when run using the thinner side, or larger flat spread of paint.

Micro fiber filbert brushes

These are the smallest fibre brushes which I use for detailing.  These are perfect for final touches, example detailing close up tree leaves to flowers, seascapes and just about anything else. 

Custom Liner

The custom liner creates fine lines.  I usually use these when creating barks or branches of tree or pulling lines to create benches, walls, or just anything.  It carries a lot of paint and doesn't splatter when used.

Watch this to see how brushes are used.

Did you learn something today?  I hope you did!  Please do share your thoughts and keep our passion burning! 

    Rose Gob

Why you Should Join and How to Join an Art Group - Featuring ARTipolo Group, Inc.

You may ask, is it really necessary to join an art group? For me, yes. But make sure that the group you'll join will help you improve your craft and develop a positive mind. A healthy art group helps you get motivated and in return, provides you venue to help others become a good artist too. Read and Watch our feature for this month:

Last December 2021, we released the first part of our interview with Mr. Pol Mesina, Jr.  He is the current president of ARTipolo Group, a well-known artists' group that started in Antipolo city but have members coming from various parts of the country, and even from other parts of the globe.  

ARTipolo group is now on their 7th year.  It remained strong despite the challenges resulting from the differences of its members, as well as factors coming from outside the organization.

In this interview, you will learn about the group's objectives.  They are known for group exhibits and for having professional artist members.  They do have some new blood from students of arts and they keep their doors open to new art aspirants.  Behind each masterpieces, they extend their hands to less fortunates.  Portion of their art sales go to selected beneficiaries like Autism Society, Antipolo chapter, Tulay ng Kabataan, etc.

If you are new in the field of art, it would help if you join an art group like ARTipolo.  Having a family who understands and supports you will help you find your way.  Watch this video and learn more about the group. If you want to join the family, know that a family member cares and is accountable too with fellow artist members.  The passes is your sincerity.  Here's an introduction to the values and principles that guide this group.

  

Is this material useful?  Please comment below if you like this or send us an inquiry if you want to inquire about art tutorials.  Keep safe and keep your creative juices flowing!

LANDSCAPE PAINTING: Using Oil Pastel

Hello Creaative Schoolers!  You are Soooo COOL!  Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you are learning a lot from our featured artists and topics.

Today, let us study how to do paintings using oil pastel.  Do you know that soft oil pastel can be very versatile and can produce textured paintings?  The challenge with oil pastel is you need to find really good quality colors and not the hard wax-type colors.   So to help you find a good material to start drawing, we looked online to find affordable materials.  I'll be naming here a few so that you'll not find it hard to buy one.

Let us start learning by understanding the materials.

OIL PASTEL

Oil pastels are hardened pigments using oil as its base.  There are soft pastels, which are like chalks, but we are using the oil pastel that we commonly use at school to produce vibrant drawings.

The advantage of using oil pastels is that you don't need medium or any liquid in using it.  But if you want to thin in out, you may use cotton buds dipped on oil to spread it.  It is also very easy to keep and store it since it is dry.  Before, I keep it on its original box but when the oil pastel got very short because of constant use, I bought a plastic container with dividers.  You may also use food keepers with compartments.  It is advisable to separate the colors because it will become dirty if you keep it all together.  Though you have the option to wipe it clean with tissue prior to its use.

I am working on a landscape using oil pastel.  I tried it instead of using my usual acrylic paint because it is easier to carry when I am traveling or when I am working.  Sometimes, I get the urge to draw during in-between work breaks.

With regards to the brand, the best quality oil pastel is really expensive.  Holbein and Sennelier are usually used by professionals.  They are much more buttery and have smooth consistency.  The price of Holbein is about PHP 2,400.00 for a 24 pieces color set.  Sennelier is way expensive, which is about PHP 4,756.00 for a 24 pieces color set.

Now, don't despair.  If you are a beginner, you can still produce good quality paintings using much cheaper oil pastel but still has bright colors.  I suggest that you start with a Pentel oil pastel, which cost only about PHP 270.00 for a 36 pieces color set.  Another option is using Sakura Junior oil pastel set, which is a bit higher, PHP 300.00 for a 24 pieces color set.  

Since I've been using a lot of these oil pastels, I now have a mix collection of oil pastels with Sakura and Pentel brand in it.  The good thing about Sakura is that you can buy each color separately.  I usually consumed "white" fast.  So I bought a box of white Sakura, 12 pieces in a box.

PAPER PASTEL or PASTEL BOARD

Drawing paper can be used for oil pastel drawing.  However, the oil in the color seeped to the paper and if you want to preserve the painting or drawing, it can be very risky because it may bleed on the paper.

I use pastel paper or board because it has better absorbing quality and it has differing surface.  I side is smooth and the other side is textured.  To give added quality to the painting I use the textured side.

You may also use canvas but it's a bit harder for me because the canvas has less tooth or texture to hold the oil pastel.  There's a higher tendency as well to crease the painting when the canvas get removed from its mount. As experienced, the pastel paper or pastel board is the best option.

WAX PAPER TO PROTECT YOUR WORKS

You may want to buy a Wax Roll of paper, which is usually used for food keeping.  I use it to cover my oil pastel drawing or as divider when I draw on pads.  This will protect your painting or drawing from bleeding or transferring on other sheets.

BLENDING STUMP

For oil pastel, I use cotton buds or paper blending stump.  With cotton buds, you can actually thin out the oil pastel if you add linseed oil on it.  However, the cotton absorbs too much pigment.  Another option is the use of a blending stump.  The good thing about it is it absorb less pigment from the oil pastel and it can be used for finer details in the drawing.  Use whichever you are comfortable with.

LET US START PAINTING!!!

Now that you have all the tools or materials, let us proceed learning how to use oil pastel for drawing.

My reference photo is shared to us by another member of Let's Paint group.  Thanks to Sir Norbing Villez for sharing it.  The photos of painting sample I have here is still a work in progress.

Step 1 - Using your reference, make a sketch of your drawing subject.

Step 2 - First layer of color for your base.  You may use water color or chose a pastel paper with colors already.

Step 3 - I usually start with the foreground.  Others start with the main subject.  The reason why I start with the foreground is because I want my subject to be layered on top of the background.  Find where you are more comfortable.

Step 4 - Finalize the details of your painting as you layered colors upon colors.  

ON-THE-SPOT LANDSCAPE PAINTING WITH MR. POL MESINA, JR.

I think you'll learn more by watching these demonstrations I gathered from YouTube.  Let us focus on LANDSCAPE painting or drawing as an exercise. (The two (2) succeeding videos are not mine but we included their link here to directly acknowledge the owners.) 

Allow me to introduce Mr. POL MESINA, JR. president and  one of the senior members  of ARTipolo Group.  You'll meet him next week when we release his feature interview.  I am sure you will learn a lot from him as he shares how he started in arts and how art helped him support his family as a full-time artist. 

But first, let us watch how he demonstrated this on-the-spot painting using oil pastels and nothing else.  He started with no sketch and directly applied raw colorings as guide for his painting.  He then layered the oil pastel and blended them. Lastly, he worked on the details of the central image, which are the trees.