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

Exploring the World of Pastel Art: ARTipolo Group's Inspiring Workshop with Julius Legaspi

 

On August 4, 2024, the ARTipolo Group, Inc. hosted a captivating pastel painting workshop led by the esteemed artist Julius Legaspi at Balay Pinsel, Unica Hija Subdivision, Antipolo City. This event, part of ARTipolo’s regular Art Aralan series, aimed to enhance the artistic skills of its members by diving deep into the world of pastel art.

A Glimpse into the Event

ARTipolo Group, registered with the SEC since February 2014, has consistently provided a platform for both professional and emerging artists to collaborate, learn, and grow. The group's exhibits are not only a showcase of talent but also a stage where seasoned artists share the spotlight with budding talents, fostering a culture of mentorship and growth within the Filipino art community.

During this particular session, attendees were treated to a free lecture by Julius Legaspi, founder of the Philippine Pastel Art, Inc., and a well-respected figure in the local art scene. Mr. Legaspi, known for his expertise in pastel painting and his impressive body of work, generously shared his knowledge, guiding participants through the nuances of this unique medium.

Pastel Painting: A Brief Introduction

For those unfamiliar with pastel painting, it's an art form that uses sticks of pure powdered pigment bound together with a minimal amount of binder. The resulting vibrant colors and soft texture allow artists to create stunning, lifelike images with a rich depth of color.

One key technique in pastel painting is layering. Artists start with broad, light layers of color, gradually building up to the more intricate details. This method not only adds dimension to the artwork but also allows for the blending of colors to achieve the desired tone and mood.

Pastel artists often use a variety of strokes, from broad, sweeping motions to tight, controlled lines, depending on the effect they wish to create. Additionally, the choice of paper plays a crucial role in the final outcome. During the workshop, participants received high-quality pastel paper from Canson, which provided the perfect surface for exploring these techniques.

ARTipolo's Art Aralan: A Tradition of Excellence

The Art Aralan series is one of ARTipolo Group's flagship programs, designed to continually elevate the artistic capabilities of its members. Through these regular sessions, members gain access to expert-led workshops, fostering both personal and collective growth in their artistic journeys.

The August 4th session was particularly memorable, not only for the invaluable lessons shared by Mr. Legaspi but also for the camaraderie among participants. The event featured a raffle draw, with three lucky members winning a five-day art workshop with Mr. Legaspi at his renowned Atelier De Legaspi in Xavierville, Katipunan, Quezon City.

About Julius Legaspi

Julius Legaspi, a full-time artist hailing from Marilao, Central Luzon, has earned his place as one of the country's leading pastel artists. His works have been celebrated in numerous exhibitions and have even gone under the hammer at prestigious auctions, with pieces like "Pier" garnering significant attention. His deep understanding of the pastel medium and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists make him an invaluable mentor to many.

Lasting Impression

ARTipolo’s Art Aralan with Julius Legaspi was more than just a workshop; it was an inspiring journey into the heart of pastel painting, igniting creativity and passion in all who attended. As ARTipolo Group continues its mission of fostering artistic talent, events like these not only strengthen the skills of its members but also contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Filipino art.

Stay tuned for more updates and future workshops as ARTipolo Group, Inc. continues to make strides in the art community, offering opportunities for artists to learn, grow, and shine