From the outset, oil pastels appear to be an incredibly easy medium to master. After all, how complex can a stick of pigment and binder really be?

As simple as oil pastels may look, this medium is extremely difficult to master. Even artists with a background in the ancient medium of oil painting can quickly get tripped up on how this particular medium interacts with the surface.

Simply put…

…there is no other medium quite like oil pastels.

If you've just gotten a new set of top-rated oil pastels and are looking to expand your creativity, we've put together this guide to help you on your journey.

After employing some of the techniques used by artists featured in the videos below, you'll begin to stretch your creative limits even further.

So, buckle up and let's get started on learning more about beginner, intermediate, and advanced oil pastel techniques:

10 Oil Pastel Techniques by Sakura of America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm6wo-8rJD0

In this video, Mr. Otter Studio covers various blending techniques you can use with oil pastels, including blends between:

Color + white
Color + gray
Color + black
Color + white + black

Beyond blending, you'll also learn about varying pressures with your pastels and the results you'll see, as well as effects like stippling, scrumbling, and sgraffito.

After watching the tutorial, you should have a better understanding of how to use your oil pastels differently going forward.

6 Oil Pastel Techniques by Jackie Ruzicka

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOyJGKyn_Vo

Similar to the previous video, Jackie's oil pastel technique video is broken into 6 sections to demonstrate how to use oil pastels more effectively.

Jackie covers the following techniques:

Blending
Layering
Short Strokes
Long Strokes
Pointillism
Drawing

The video quality is clearer than Sakura's, making it easier to follow along and see the details Jackie lays down on oil pastel paper.

The Basics Of Oil Pastels by Let's Create Something

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvoQwRNJdKg

This video is great because it's simple and requires you to get your hands dirty. It shows how even the cheapest oil pastels can produce breathtaking results, emphasizing that practice, not the price of supplies, matters most.

You'll see how both a flower and whale are made using just a few oil pastels, blended with the tips of your fingers. For those who want to skip ahead, the drawing part starts at the 1:55 mark.

How To Dilute Oil Pastels

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw1Rrzqa37g

Many artists forget that oil pastels are made from oil. As any oil painter will tell you, manipulating this medium is easy with the right solvents.

Gene Shaw demonstrates how to thin out an oil pastel drawing using paint thinner. However, he uses hardware store paint thinner, which contains impurities. We recommend using artist-grade thinners, as discussed in our odorless mineral spirits and turpentine post.

Rule of 3s by Patrick Neumann

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OWNTRUazEA

Patrick Neumann introduces the Rule of 3s – selecting three colors from the same family to create an analogous set of colors that makes your artwork appear more natural.

Oil Pastel Speed Painting by Ellie Fine Art

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98If38I_utA

For those who prefer a quick demonstration, this speed painting by Ellie features a beautiful Bald Eagle in just 3:03. You'll see various techniques used to develop layers, highlights, and more.

Impasto Landscape – Oil Pastel Painting Lesson by Madhubala Arts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj0BbCSyGBg

This real-time oil pastel painting by Madhubala results in a breathtaking piece. The level of detail achieved is striking, blurring the lines between oil pastels and oil paintings.

Baby Oil & Oil Pastels by Trista

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22dvr6ZpnxA

Trista uses baby oil to extend oil pastels, creating a smoother, painterly effect. If you want to skip to the baby oil application, jump to the 3:49 mark.

Oil Pastel Tutorial – Parrot – by Mr. Otter Art Studio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3SiclaZfBQ

This video showcases the reverse scratch method, transforming an ink drawing into a beautiful oil pastel piece. It's a creative technique worth exploring.

Galaxy Drawing with Oil Pastels by Deepak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ3SYZuRR24

Deepak demonstrates how to create a starry galaxy with oil pastels. Using masking tape and other techniques, he makes the colors of the planets jump off the page.

Push The Limits With Oil Pastels

The underlying theme of these videos is that you must always push the bounds with oil pastels. As mentioned earlier, oil pastels are notoriously hard to master.

Take notes from the videos above, but remember that this isn't the end-all-be-all for this medium. The biggest way to improve as an artist isn't to buy professional-grade supplies, but to practice regularly.

With regular practice, you'll unlock the joys of creating beautiful art!