HOW TO: CREATE TEXTURE WITH OIL PASTELS
Hmmm texture....even the word excites us. Texture.....say it slowly and ponder on the magic of language. It's really something, isn't it? For centuries, artists have portrayed texture using a variety of materials including Texture refers to any tactile quality; smooth, rough, shiny, bumpy, fuzzy, soft, sticky, etc.
By using a variety of light/dark, narrow/broad, and hard/soft marks, any texture is drawable. When it comes down to it, texture is simply mark making and the weight in which you hold your mark maker to the paper. If you were to make the same type of mark with your drawing tools and apply the same amount of pressure to each mark, you would most likely get the same texture over and over.
Types of textures in Oil Pastel
Scumbling - this is when you lay down color in light scribble-like circles. As you add other shades, they “scumble together” and create depth.
Blending - You can layer contrasting colors side by side and blending them together using either your finger or a paper towel.
Stippling - this technique allows you to create texture through a build up of many small oil pastel marks. Use short and heavy strokes working from light to dark.
Berry Stein
Berry is the founder of Art Life Practice. She's an art educator and has spent the past 14+ years working to broaden access to arts education and daily creative practice.
