Oil Pastel Techniques – Painting on a Photo

Oil pastels are quite versatile and can be worked using a variety of different techniques.  You can thin them down with a paint thinner just like oil paints to create washes or you can apply them thickly as an Impasto.  Like any other medium however, they can be a bit tricky to work with in the beginning.  It is often helpful to observe other artists using oil pastels to help inspire you to develop your own unique style.

I found some really interesting videos today during a Google Video search.  In the following two videos, the artists demonstrates a really cool technique that I never thought to try myself.  She takes a regular digital photograph printed on paper and instead of using the photograph as a reference, she draws directly on the photograph, sort of  using it as a guide.

It really is an excellent way to gain immediate experience handling and using oil pastels.  Enjoy!