Soft Pastel Techniques to Learn

Soft pastel art

I fell in love with soft pastel art when I was in 8^th grade and did a “chalk talk” for a demonstration speech in English class. I’ve done at least a hundred soft pastel chalk talks since then for church and community groups. People love watching art being done in real time.

Soft Pastels for beginners

So, I wanted my grands to get to play with soft pastels and enjoy the vivid color and designs they could make with this medium. We like to bring out the pastels and just goof around with them. They are growing in their abilities to use them. This Soft Pastel Techniques to Learn post provides a few simple techniques for you to use to experiment with your soft pastels. 

Watch These Soft Pastel Techniques

Soft pastel color

Soft pastels have colorful pigment in with some binder and are usually in round or square sticks. They go onto the paper smoothly with vivid color and blend and smudge easily. This intense color covers even dark paper well. There are harder pastels (with more binder) that work well for drawing, but even then, pastels don’t give a fine and sharp line like a pencil. 

Are soft pastels the same as chalk?

Soft pastels may have a little chalk in them, but they aren’t the same as the chalk you purchase for a chalk board or sidewalk. They contain more beautiful and colorful pigment.

Soft pastels give off a dust that is messy on the hands and needs to be blown off the paper occasionally. I always sneeze when I use them. 

The paper to use will say it is suitable for use with pastels.

Tip: Because of the dust it is a good idea to keep paper under the artwork. It’s also good to have a rag or paper towel to wipe off your fingers and set the chalk on between usages.

Where do I buy soft pastels?

Purchase as many soft pastels in a set that fit your budget. It is nice to have more colors available but even a small set will be fun. They can be purchased in any craft store or most craft sections in a discount store.

If you or your grands really like the medium, there are higher quality soft pastel sets that you can purchase in the future. The less expensive sets work fine for experimenting.

You can purchase hard pastels or pastel pencils (that may be sharpened). These give a clearer line in pastel but still aren’t as detailed as pencil.

How do I use soft pastels?

There are many techniques for using soft pastels. Here are a few Soft Pastel Techniques to Learn to get you started. Have fun experimenting.

All of these techniques are demonstrated in the video above.

Drawing-

Soft pastel sticks can be used like crayons. The color is intense and covers the paper well but does not give a detailed line. This may be frustrating at times, but the benefits of the medium will win you over quickly. 

Side strokes-

To cover larger areas, lay the soft pastel stick on its side and make a wide, side stroke over the paper. You can use another color and make a side stroke over the first stroke to get a new effect.

Blending-

Use your finger to move over the soft pastel on the paper to blend it into a smooth color or blend two areas of color together. This is so much fun and is pretty messy, too! You can also use a Q-Tip or a special pastel blending stick for this purpose.

Dots (pointillism) or little strokes-

Make small dots OR small strokes of soft pastel on the paper in an area. You can then add small dots OR small strokes of other colors in the same area. It gives the effect of the colors being blended but with the appearance of texture. This works great for drawing things like sand or grass.

Rolling or twisting-

Place the pastel stick on the paper and roll it while pulling it across the paper.

Cross hatching-

Draw longer lines of soft pastel in one color. Then go over this area with long lines in another direction of another color. You can even repeat this with more lines of other colors. 

Soft pastel drawing ideas for beginners

Enjoy experimenting with these soft pastel techniques. Try drawing a flower or a bird.

My next post will be a tutorial on how to use these techniques in a simple drawing! Find that video here: Soft Pastel Drawing Ideas for Beginners. You will draw an apple and there is a video to watch to make it even easier to learn!

Pick me, pick me!! To see your drawings!

I’m eager to see your drawings of flowers, birds, or of whatever you choose to create with your soft pastels. Be sure to add your photos!

Maybe you will do your own “Chalk talks” some day!

Want some more drawing fun?

Try any of these fun WTN ideas: Decorate Canvas Shoes with Markers, Simple Scribble Art for Children, Paint with Broccoli: Fun stamped spring tree.

Enjoy!

If you try this craft, let me know! Go ahead and leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post. Come join the fun at www.WelcomeToNanas.com

Supplies for Soft Pastel Drawing Ideas for Beginners

• Paper suitable for pastel drawing (will say on the front cover)
• Soft pastels- (Purchase a set with as many colors as possible)
• Paper towels