Intro to Drawing with Oil Pastels supply list and info for students
Oil pastels give the look and feel of paint without all the set up, mess, and clean up. Through demos and studio time, we’ll explore color blending, composition and more with these magical little sticks of color.
Class Rule: We’re going to be kind to each other (of course) and especially to ourselves, which can be a challenge in creative work. Allow yourself the grace to be a beginner, no matter how much experience you have. 💫
Materials:
Oil pastels: I’m not a stickler about which brand or type you use, e.g. whether they are water-soluble or not, true oil pastels versus Neocolor wax pastels — any of these are appropriate, so bring what you have. I will be bringing a variety of brands and types as well, in case you want to try some different things out.
If you want more direction, here are some pastels you could look for:
🖍 Cray-Pas “Expressionist” oil pastels by Sakura
🖍 Neocolor or Neopastel by Caran D’Ache
🖍 oil pastels or oil sticks by Sennelier or Rembrandt
(for each of these I recommend a set of 12 or more)
“Soft pastels” or chalk pastels create more dust than the oil or wax versions, but if you already have some, it’s ok to bring them. I like to experiment with mixing all the different types together. 🤓 If you’re purchasing pastels, however, I suggest the oil or wax kind.
Paper or other drawing surfaces: There is no one best or correct type. I have used oil pastels on many kinds of paper as well as on scrap board. If you already have paper or surfaces you want to try, bring them along.
If you would like specific advice for paper to purchase, I suggest one or more of the following:
📜 a pad of 9″ x 12″ white drawing paper or mixed media paper
📜 a pad of assorted “pastel paper” which might be called “drawing paper in assorted tints”; i.e. a pad with different colors of paper, which are usually pastel colored and also can be used with pastels 😊
Other helpful items:
⭐️ a few rags
⭐️ a smock or apron if you’re an exuberant creator 😉
⭐️ images you are interested in drawing (I’ll bring some reference materials, too.)
Let me know if you need more clarification about what to bring to class.
I’m looking forward to our explorations together!
-Pam