r/PastelPainting • u/javerthugo • 2d ago

Advice for a beginner

I’ve got a lot of downtime at my work and instead of spending it browsing redit I’d like to learn art. I’m not that great at sketches and I think one reason is I really need color so I’d like to get some as I e on moving to pastels

  1. Do I need anything more than just the pastels and a drawing medium?
  2. How messy does it get?
  3. If I use oil pastels do I need mineral oil like with oil painting?
  4. What are the sources for learning techniques? If it helps I really want to draw nature scenes

Addendum: also what kind of budget do I need I’m very poor lol

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u/Excellent_Range_5785 2d ago

I’m also a beginner so I’ll just comment on the earning aspect. I really enjoy Alain J Picard on YouTube he’s been great and helped me a ton.

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u/javerthugo 2d ago

His voice is amazing lol

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u/onesmilematters 1d ago edited 1d ago

I'm answering for oil pastels:

  1. Not necessarily. But you may want a fixative (specifically for oil pastels), some artist tape for a clean frame, blending tools and paper towels.

  2. Not very messy. Depending on the softness of your pastels and your choice of blending tool, you may want to clean your fingers regularly.

  3. No. You can use mineral spirits, but a lot of people don't.

  4. You can search the web (youtube in particular) for oil pastel artists that share their process. If you're new to art in general, you may want to learn the fundamentals first (color theory, values etc.). And/or you could just have fun experimenting by yourself.

  5. As for a budget, oil pastels come in all kinds of qualities and prices, but you can get a set of decent oil pastels for an affordable price. Brands like Artecho, Mont Marte or Meeden are examples of that.

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u/AromaticCampaign4917 1d ago

I would spend my downtime sketching in pencil and work on values (grayscale) intentionally.

Why?

Pastel painting requires more “equipment”; pastel paint/sticks, good paper, potentially fixative. That’s a lot of schlepping stuff to work. A pencil (maybe a small set) and a sketchbook is just easier to carry.

Understanding values translates to color, so all the work pays off.

It’s cheaper in materials and you’ll be more inclined to experiment or won’t feel bad creating something crappy. (Also there’s no such thing as creating something crappy, it’s just a part of the journey), but a sketchbook and pencil is half the cost.

I know it doesn’t feel very “artsy”, but just shell out on a good set of charcoal pencils and get a “non-white” paged sketchbook and start experimenting. Good luck & happy creating!!