Pastel Drawing Tutorial

Materials Needed

• Soft pastels set
• Pastel paper or sanded paper
• Kneaded eraser
• Blending stumps
• Fixative spray
• Paper towels

Basic Techniques

1. Mark Making

Different ways to apply pastels:

• Side strokes for broad coverage
• Point strokes for details
• Layering colors
• Cross-hatching

2. Blending

Various blending methods:

• Finger blending
• Stump blending
• Cross-color blending
• Dry brush effect

3. Color Building

Creating depth and dimension:

• Start with light colors
• Layer darker values
• Add highlights last
• Use complementary colors

Practice Exercise

Create a simple still life:

1. Sketch basic shapes
2. Block in main colors
3. Build up layers
4. Add final details

Tips for Success

• Work from light to dark
• Fix layers as you go
• Keep your pastels clean
• Store artwork properly