Think beyond just pictures on paper. How are mixed media artists using oil and chalk pastels in their art work? Let's learn how.
When perusing through most mixed media artist's studios and work spaces, you'll more likely than not find a box of oil pastels and chalk pastels. And, equally as often, they may not appear to be used all the often? Why? Why aren't these forms or media being mixed into work? Or, are they? Let's explore.
Oil Pastel Society: "The Oil Pastel Society was formed on September 1, 2004, as a non-profit organization, to promote the knowledge and understanding of oil pastel as a fine art medium and to expand the awareness of oil pastel to other artists, galleries, the media, and the general public."
International Association of Pastel Societies: "The International Association of Pastel Societies represents pastel societies uniting in a common cause - to demonstrate the validity and quality of pastel fine art around the world. Membership is limited to qualified pastel societies. There are no individual memberships available. Only Member Societies are eligible to participate in IAPS activities."
After reading through these links and viewing the art contained on each site, it's obvious their mission is clear. Each of these sites have been working toward building a community or artist understanding and keep this form or art from slipping through the cracks. How can these forms of media, the oil pastel and the chalk pastel, be used in mixed media art? Before we look at techniques, let's define each:
Oil Pastel: Wikipedia defines this medium as "a painting and drawing medium with characteristics similar to pastels and wax crayons. Unlike "soft" or "French" pastel sticks, which are made with a gum or methyl cellulose binder, oil pastels consist of pigment mixed with a non-drying oil and wax binder. The surface of an oil pastel painting is therefore less powdery, but more difficult to protect with a fixative."
Chalk Pastel: Wikipedia defines this medium as "an art medium in the form of a stick, consisting of pure powdered pigment and a binder. The pigments used in pastels are the same as those used to produce all colored art media, including oil paints.
As far as techniques to for use with mixed media art projects, here are some techniques to consider:
Chalk pastels:
- Using chalk pastels, blend several different colors to create a background for collages, scrapbook layouts, art journal pages, greeting cards, book covers, tag art and other paper projects.
- Create marbleized papers using chalk pastels that have been manipulated with water, similar to use of watercolor cakes.
- Use chalk pastels to create smudged effects in various layered projects in altered book work, art journal work, canvas pieces and other projects.
Oil pastels:
- Create a mixed media painting using assemblage methods combined with oil pastels the same way you would using acrylic, oil and watercolor paint.
- Create a oil pastel painting that is highlighted with fine glitter dust.
- Find an interesting coloring book page (clean or finished) and color it over using oil pastels. Cut the image out and mount it to a larger mixed media work, greeting card or book cover.
The copyright of the article Project Planner: Pastels in Mixed Media Arts is owned by Jennifer Hollowell. Permission to republish Project Planner: Pastels must be granted by the author in writing.
