Are oil pastels or chalk pastels easier for beginning artists to work with?

Question

I am a beginning artist, who has drawn mostly in pencil. I want to branch out and start to experiment with color. Do you guys think oil or chalk is better to start for pastels? Also, are watercolors easy to work with? Please advise as to what other materials you would recommend....paints, pencils, etc. I want to get past the basics and start experimenting. Thanks for all of your help!! I am a 26 yr old wife and mom, so I don't have the time for formal classes, etc at our college in town. I just want to be good at it for a hobby and want to have the right things. Does oil pastel work on canvas? What types of media work well together? I know these are a lot of questions, but I want to be good in the worst way. I just need some experienced person to send me in the right direction. Thanks and god bless.

Answer 1

When I first started art, I actually started with pastels (and it is my love now :). Pastels in general is very useful (especially in abstracts). I think the soft pastels (don't know if it is the same as chalk), it is easier to smudge and blend in the colors but oil takes a bit more effort. Oil pastels will probably work better on canvas than soft pastels probably. The only con about soft pastels is that after you are done, the art will continue to smudge easily (like if you swipe your hand on it, it will smudge/fade). So I always keep laminated paper in handy with me to laminate my artwork. I'm new to painting so I probably can't answer your question there.

I would suggest to use soft pastels first so it gives you a more comfortable feeling from your transition from sketching. If you find it too much of a hassle you can buy oil pastels. Or, like me, I just bought both and experimented with what my art taste is like. If you are looking for a good brand of soft pastels I would recommend the Rembrandt soft pastels. Personally I believe they have the best quality (though they are more expensive). But I also use a cheaper priced pastels you can find in any art store.

All the best to you and good luck!

Answer 2

Oil paints are easiest to work with because you can layer and paint over and mix colors right on the canvas. Never heard of "oil pastels." Chalk pastels are tough and you have to get experience. Water colors are the most difficult since you can't cover up but you do layer. Surely you have checked out books on media from the library? You can go online and learn all you need to know. You really should join a local amateur art group where you learn what you need to know. Adults school is a good place to learn. You need a hands on teacher to demonstrate on your canvas or drawing paper. Black and white charcoals can be fun. When you use oils, don't draw first and then try to fill in - that is not learning. With oils you put brush to canvas and then dip it in another color and mix and maybe outline or create a shape, etc.
It also depends upon whether you want to be an artist like those in the Ozarks who did great work but it was very primative. If you are one who does an exact copy of something then you will need a series of brushes from a few sable hairs to a full sable brush. Buy a good brush and wait until you can afford another rather than buying a bunch of cheapos. Do not buy oils in sets if you don't have to. But them on sale and get the primary colors. You will needs lots of white and it is the cheapest so buy a BIG tube of white and use the small colors to mix w/ white and black, etc. You have to learn shades and hues and colors, etc. Unless you do "primative" work - I personally love it - you can use primary colors and virtually use stick figuers if that is your "vision." You cannot become "good in the worst way." It doesn't work that way. You paint to satisfy yourself and you do not care if anyone else likes it or understands it. Artists are not people who give a hang what anyone else thinks.

Answer 3

I've found oil pastels more difficult to work with than soft pastels--they function more like crayons and you can't really blend much. Personally, for drawing, I prefer charcoal with some gray pastels. As for other supplies--pencils are pencils; use whatever lead works the best for you (Prismacolor is the best colored pencil brand, however). I've had experience with oil paints and really enjoyed it--they take forever to dry, so they're easier to mix than acrylics, although this can cause problems with actually painting--you have to be patient. I've not really enjoyed my experiences with watercolors, but I'm not really much of a 2D person, anyway.

Answer 4

I have tried many different mediums and my favorites have been watercolors, acrylics, colored pencils, and I have even branched out to markers. Acrylics might be a good medium for you to try Acrylics are water-soluble and easy to clean up if you clean up right away and you could even get your child(ren) involved and as for supplies I got to Wal-Mart and www.dickblick.com oil paints are messy and have a stong odor and are best when painting outside, colored pencils and markers would be a good way to go if you just want to add color to your drawings you could also try watercolor pencils, I love Prismacolor for a colored/watercolor pencil brand but people like different materials, and different brands so find one that you prefer. I use synthetic fiber brushes to actual brushes made with sable and other natural hairs simply because i am an animal lover so just try and find what you like and what you are comfortable with, try looking for books or maybe like some on-line classes that could help enrich your talent