Oil - Oil Pastel Varieties

Those who are new to pastel painting techniques are usually familiar with regular pastels, known as soft pastels. However, there is another type of pastel called oil pastel. Knowing the differences between regular pastels and oil pastels is important for choosing the right materials for your projects. Oil pastels have unique characteristics. As the name suggests, oil pastels contain certain mineral oils in their composition. This changes the character of the paint.

What Are the Differences Between Oil Pastels and Soft Pastels? How Are Oil Pastels Used?

Soft pastel, the most commonly used pastel, is a type of pastel made from a combination of white chalk, pigment, and gum arabic, which has a drier, matte finish. Soft pastels do not adhere to the surface and can be removed by brushing. In contrast, oil pastels are similar to oil paints, but due to the nature of the oil in their content, they do not dry or harden completely. Like oil paints, oil pastels can be worked over and thinned. They tend to have a creamy, wax-like consistency.

While oil pastels provide intense color, soft pastels have a softer, more delicate hue. Both types of pastels are extremely versatile in terms of surface use, and both will yield positive results on any surface. However, it should be noted that textured paper is more beneficial for both types of pastels in terms of the paint adhering to the paper. When using oil pastels, it is recommended to prime the surface with Gesso. Thanks to priming, the waxy binders are not absorbed by the fibers of the paper, which prevents the pastel colors from looking dull.

There are also some differences in terms of usage between these two pastels. For example, oil pastels are harder to blend compared to soft pastels and cannot be completely removed from the paper. However, they have a brighter finish and can be thinned with thinners. An oil pastel set can consist of 12 or 24 colors. Brands that produce oil pastels are usually the same companies that produce soft pastels. Oil pastel prices are close in value to regular pastels. Karin Sanat offers the most suitable oil pastel options for sale in the painting category. You can find both high-quality and more affordable pastel options in this category.