Chalk pastels are one of the best mediums to use if you are just learning how to paint. The medium has a painter-like quality very similar to brush strokes on a canvas. This post will cover everything you need to know about Chalk Pastels for Beginners, the differences in chalk pastel brands, and how to finish a chalk pastel drawing!
First, let me share a little bit about the painting below. This is a scene from Puerto Rico called La Perla. La Perla is one of the most visually fascinating parts of Puerto Rico with its colorful homes set on the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean. Beware! The Perla is often referred to as the slum of Old San Juan and visitors are not welcome. That aside, for artists, it’s a fascinating scene to capture!
I chose to complete this scene with chalk pastels for a few reasons. Chalk pastels come in an array of pigments similar to those found at La Perla. Also, chalk pastels create great energy and movement. I like to call it ” the chalk pastel vibe.”
Secondly, let me introduce you to my mini-Goldendoodle and artist assistant, Kevin. He watches me draw, smells the chalk pastels, and tries not to walk all over my drawings (not always successful but he’s working on it). Kevin is sitting next to the drawing below called My Mind at Night-1, created with chalk pastels.
How to Make Chalk Pastels Look Like Paint
In order to get a painter-like quality with chalk pastels, I use my fingers to softly blend the pigments together. You can also use a cloth to blend, just be careful not to over-blend and create muddiness. Chalk pastels are exactly how they sound: chalky. Some brands create more dust than others (we will get to that) but the medium is great for creating a soft, smooth texture. Visit my post on Painting with Stencils for more painting tips for beginners.
Differences in Chalk Pastel Brands
Have you ever heard of oil pastels? They differ from chalk in that they are oil-based, creating a dense, crayon-like texture on paper. In my experience, the application of chalk and oil pastels is similar. You can use your fingers to blend both types of pastels, however, chalk pastels will fill your space faster as they glide on with less resistance than oil pastels.
Sennelier Chalk Pastels
Personally, I’ve always preferred oil pastels over chalk. This was until I discovered Sennelier Chalk Pastels. They are like magic! I have already added them to my Christmas list. I’m definitely going to be needing a new box by then :-). The Sennelier chalk pastels are very soft and very rich in pigment. It doesn’t take much pressure to produce loud, rich images with these pastels.
Note: Since they are so soft, you are less likely to use the Sennelier brand to create fine detail in your image. They will also be your more expensive brand but worth it if you want that painter-like quality.
Artist Loft Chalk Pastels
Artist Loft Chalk Pastels are great for adding detail to your image. They are a much harder pastel than the soft, Sennelier brand. Their pigment is also not as vibrant and more pastel in hue. Artist Loft Chalk Pastels are on the less expensive side and great if you are wanting to try chalk pastels as a beginner artist.
Rembrandt Chalk Pastels
Lastly, Rembrandt Chalk Pastels are a perfect combination of the Sennelier and Artist’s Loft brands. Rembrandt carries pastels that are soft but have the precision of a chalkier pastel ( such as the Artist Loft brand). Rembrandt pastels have been my brand of choice for years. As you can see, my box is looking very tattered!
The image below will give you a look at all three brands applied to paper. The differences are in the details!
How to Finish a Chalk Pastel Drawing
No matter what brand of chalk pastel fits you best, all chalk pastel art must be completed with a sealant. The drawing will be covered in dusty strokes. To avoid any unintentional smearing, I give my drawings a good shake and let the extra particles fall to the table.
The chalk pastel drawing below was so covered in pastel remnants I could barely see the image! Once you shake the drawing free of unwanted debris, spray fixative about a foot away from the paper to seal the pigment. Wait about 15 minutes and you should be able to touch your masterpiece without getting chalk pastel on your fingers!
Note: You can also use hairspray instead of fixative.
The chalk pastel drawings featured in this post are part of a series of works called My Mind at Night. Visit the Gallery to see the complete work!
Which do you prefer? Oil or chalk pastels? Let us know in the comments below!
~ Alexandria