How to draw with chalk pastels

If you're looking to add a new medium to your drawing toolbox, why not try chalk pastels? Pastels are unique because they are made out of pure pigment powder pressed together with a binding component into sticks of the most glorious natural colors of the rainbow. Because of the nature of the material it can be very difficult to work with and hard to preserve, but most of all it can help to add a stunning new element to your body of artwork. For this drawing exercise we are going to be using chalk pastels, which are different than oil pastels. The differences are self explanatory: chalk pastels are dry like chalk and oil pastels contain oil which makes them very different to work with. I will post a separate "how to" for oil pastels soon.

Some of these materials can be quite expensive, but if you shop around on places like Amazon and DickBlick and eBay, you can find some really great deals. As far as brands are concerned I will say that you get what you pay for when it comes to the pastels. The best and brightest pigments are going to be in the professional grade pastels, so shop smart-- if you're just starting and want to practice than start out with a cheaper set of colors, and later when you are ready to start your masterpiece you can invest in a more expensive set. Also, sometimes you can buy individual pencils which can save because you will only need to buy the colors you need for your project.

Here is a list of materials that you will need to get started:

• PAPER - If you want your drawings to last it is imperative that you use acid-free archival paper. Additionally, chalk pastel needs paper with "tooth" which is a sandy surface texture so that there is something for the powder to grab onto. They sell paper with a sanded finish on it specifically for powder based mediums.
• FINE PUMICE GEL MEDIUM - If you already have some good quality acid-free drawing paper but it has a smooth surface, you can prepare your paper with a couple even coats of pumice gel medium.
• CHALK PASTELS - Any kind of soft chalk pastel will do for practice, but if you want your drawings to last only use pastels with lightfast pigments, otherwise the color will fade from exposure to light. Chalk pastels come in sticks and in pencils. I recommend the sticks for bigger works because you can draw with the side of the stick to achieve very thick lines or to lay down a lot of color really fast. But for smaller jobs the pencils are nice because you can achieve a higher quality of detail with the fine pencil tip and they are not nearly as messy as the sticks.
• SPRAY FIXATIVE - Spray fix is important when working with chalk pastels because it helps to hold the chalk in place on the paper and can also help to keep the surface texture when your building up layers of color. Any kind of spray fixative will work, experiment with different brands to see which you like the best.

The key idea in drawing with pastels is to build up color from light to dark, with fixative between each layer. Think about what the lightest key color is in your overall color scheme and use that as an undercoat. If you have a hot color scheme with reds and oranges lay down yellow, if it's cool lay down a soft blue if it's a mix than lay down 2 colors. Blend it in with your finger or another blending tool until the entire surface of your paper is covered with that color. Keep in mind that this is just an under color, a part of the color you are building up to. In my example you'll see I've chosen to start my color build up with a nice sunny yellow.

Spray a layer of fixative. You should do this outdoors if at all possible, or a well ventilated area. Spray from about 6-9 inches away from the surface of your drawing in nice even strokes until you have a nice even layer of fixative on the surface of your drawing. It will be tacky so don't touch the surface, let it dry completely before adding the next layer, usually about 10-15 minutes. Always follow directions on the can, and be aware of warning labels.

Next use the next lightest color in your scheme to sketch out your composition. I've chosen to use a very bright red, and you'll also notice that I'm using graph lines to help compose my composition. As i continue to build up color, those lines will be blended into the image. Blend as desired.

Spray a layer of fixative. That's right, you need to spray a layer of fixative between every layer of color! The time to dry is going to eat up your time, that's why I recommend working on at least 2 projects at a time. Work on additional drawings during your dry time, move around with your work it helps keep your mind fresh.

Continue blending and spraying layers of color from light to dark until each unique color in your composition is complete.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

• You can add lighter colors again on top of your image to ad highlights, but be careful of over mixing. This could lead to browning or greying of you colors.
• If you start having trouble getting the chalk to stick, you likely need to add another layer of spray fix.
• You can only build up so many layers of color and fixative before it just won't take anymore, so choose your colors carefully and build up wisely.
• Make practice swatches of color on scrap paper. Think about the colors from the color wheel and how they combine to make up all of the other colors, build your colors with that in mind.
• PRACTICE!! I can't say it enough, if you work on this everyday you will get better and it will pay off in your artwork, so keep at it and try new things. Now for heaven's sakes go make some art! =)