Oh boy, was this fun! I found a new blog this week called
the oil pastel review and was inspired to try oil pastels. I remembered that I have some oil pastels that I've never used. I think they were my dads and they were probably purchased in the 1960's. They are probably inexpensive ones but it was fun playing with them. I thought that working with these would basically be like working with soft pastels but they felt very different. I have a lot to learn about them but I think the more expensive the supplies, the more oil and less wax there is in the sticks. These were pretty waxy feeling but that was okay. The surface I used for this was a small piece of archival mat board to which I had added a layer of fine pumice gel. It was the perfect surface for this medium.
I'm curious whether or not this will ever dry completely. It's not wet like an oil painting is when first painted, but if I run my finger across it, some color lifts. It seems like they wouldn't completely dry since if they did, the oil pastel sticks would also be dry and would be unusable, right? Since the ones I have are about 50 years old and are still soft, I'm assuming that I will have to frame this medium behind glass as I would a soft pastels painting.
I will definitely be trying this medium again soon.
Sunstruck
Image size 3" x 4.5"
Oil Pastels
WOW!!!! I LOVE this one!!! The white highlights on the petals are fantastic with the dark background. I haven't used oil pastels in about 20 years, but as I remember, they stay oily and waxy. I guess you would have to make sure the glass is out a little from the surface when you frame it. I could be wrong, though, maybe they do "dry" eventually. Great work, in any case, and definitely worth framing!! I hope you will do more like this :)
ReplyDeleteIt sure is beautiful, Nancy! You've got some gorgeous color and blends of color in this piece. I look forward to seeing more!
ReplyDeleteQuite stunning! I really like the color you added on the petals. I have never tried oil pastels, but now you have me curious....
ReplyDeleteThanks Theresa. Do you still have your oil pastels? Maybe you should drag them out and try them again. If I frame it, I will make sure it is set back from the glass. Most of my work (watercolors, pastels, silk,) has to be framed that way so I'm used to dealing with that.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry. I'm looking forward to using this medium again.
Thanks Nancie. You should try this medium, you would do really well with it.
ooh a new-medium adventure! I love all the colors in your shadows. Maybe you're supposed to spray it with some kind of fixative to protect the color?
ReplyDeleteVery nice soft color
ReplyDeleteyour lights, shadows make this come alive, beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteThank you Delilah and Robin.
ReplyDeleteThis is just beautiful Nancy!! I hope to see you in San Clemente this year are you going to take Dianna's class again?
ReplyDeleteThank you Desiree. I might take her class again. I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteNancy, it's been ages since I played with oil pastels. You're inspiring me to get some out again. Beautiful flower:)
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely dig those oil pastels out and play with them Carrie. It's such a different looking medium and so much fun.
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