How to Chalk Pastels

Knowing how to use chalk pastels will help ensure your work is to its maximum possible quality. Chalk pastel work differs from oil pastel work as you’re using a much softer medium that is highly workable. The following ‘how to’ provides some essential tips to consider when using chalk pastels.

Photo Credit: Designlazy.com

Steps

1- To draw, use the tip of the pastel. To fill in large spaces, use the side of the pastel. Colour heavily to get a rich colour. Chalk pastels can be messy, as chalk dust smears and rubs off the surface. Have damp sponges available for wiping fingertips. Use sheets of newspaper to work on and tap excess chalk into wastebaskets. Avoid blowing the chalk dust. 

2- Outline light-coloured objects to show detail. Either blend the colours or leave them contrasting. Contrasting outlines unite the whole picture. Blended outlines give form. 

3- Blend two or more colours by smearing them together with a tissue, fingertip, or tortillon. Colour heavily with one colour, then add a deeper tone of the same colour or add an analogous colour to give depth. Lift off some of the colour with a finger, tissue, or kneaded eraser.

4- To blend in shading, along one edge of an object, add a line of darker colour, then smooth the darker colour in toward the object’s centre using a finger, tissue, or tortillon. 

5- To add such details as feathers, fur, or rough skin, add lines of texture on top of blended colours using the tip or edge of a pastel. These lines are added last and should be left unblended or only softly blended.

6- Use fixative, or hairspray, to “fix” pastel drawings and help keep the colour from smearing or flaking off. Fixative will not completely prevent smearing, so layer newsprint between the pictures when stacking them. Fixative fumes are hazardous; spray in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. Spray lightly from approximately 12” away, so projects do not appear wet.

Tips

Chalk pastels smudge easily do don’t wear loose fitting sleeves!