Oils, on the other hand, are a slow-drying paint composed of pigment suspended in a drying oil, typically linseed oil. Standard paper is generally unsuitable as it cannot handle the oils and will warp or disintegrate.
Mastering Dry Oil Wash for Superior Pastel Blending
Once the pastel drawing is complete and protected with a workable fixative or a light coat of matte medium, a layer of thin oil paint, known as a glaze, is applied over the entire surface. Conversely, when applying pastel over a dry oil wash, the oil must be completely dry, or the pastel will simply smear and mix with the wet oil, losing its distinct vibrancy.
While seemingly opposite in their behavior, with one being a dry, dusty medium and the other a wet, oily one, they can be combined to create work that is both vibrantly immediate and richly textured. An artist might begin by laying down a wash of diluted oil paint to establish the overall composition and major shapes.
Mastering Dry Oil Wash for Superior Pastel Blending
When applying oil paint over a pastel drawing, a light coat of workable fixative can be sprayed onto the dry pastel layer before the oil is added. Soft pastels are pure pigment bound with a minimal amount of gum binder, resulting in a brittle, dusty stick that delivers intense, pure color through direct application.
More About Oil and soft pastels
Looking at Oil and soft pastels from another angle can help expand the discussion and give readers a second clear paragraph under the same section.
More perspective on Oil and soft pastels can make the topic easier to follow by connecting earlier points with a few simple takeaways.