If you work with soft pastels, you’ve probably heard a lot of conflicting advice about fixatives. Some artists swear by them, others avoid them like the plague. The truth sits somewhere in the middle, and that’s exactly where these examples of using fixatives in pastel art: 3 practical examples, can help. Instead of vague theory, we’ll walk through real studio situations where fixative can save your drawing, give you more control, or gently ruin your hard work if you’re not careful. In this guide, we’ll look at three core scenarios—layering, detail work, and final presentation—then expand each with extra real examples from everyday pastel practice. Along the way, you’ll learn when to reach for the spray, when to back away, and how modern pastel artists (including many sharing work online in 2024–2025) are using fixatives more like a tool than a magic shield. Think of this as a friendly, practical roadmap, not a rulebook.
If you’ve ever stared at your soft pastels and thought, “There has to be more I can do with these,” you’re absolutely right. Some of the most exciting examples of examples of combining pastels with other mediums come from artists who treat pastels like part of a mixed-media toolkit, not a stand-alone material. When you layer pastel over watercolor, ink, acrylic, or even collage, you get textures, colors, and effects that pure pastel just can’t give you on its own. In this guide, we’ll walk through real examples of combining pastels with other mediums that you can try in a home studio, classroom, or community art space. You’ll see how artists mix pastels with watercolor underpaintings, acrylic block-ins, charcoal drawing, ink line work, and more. Along the way, you’ll get practical tips on surface choice, fixative, and layering order so you don’t end up with a muddy mess. Think of this as your friendly roadmap to pushing pastels into bolder, more experimental territory.
If you’ve ever stood in the art store staring at pastel sticks thinking, “Soft? Hard? Which ones do I actually need?” you’re not alone. The fastest way to understand the difference is to look at real examples of soft vs hard pastels: practical examples from everyday drawing situations. Instead of memorizing technical definitions, you’ll see how each type behaves on paper, when to reach for one over the other, and how they can actually work together. In this guide, we’ll walk through concrete, real-world examples of soft vs hard pastels: practical examples for skies, portraits, urban sketching, and more. You’ll see how hard pastels shine for crisp lines and underdrawings, while soft pastels bring in rich color, glow, and expressive marks. Think of this as a friendly studio tour where you get to peek over the shoulder of a pastel artist and finally say, “Ohhh… that’s the difference.”
If you’ve ever tried to shade a face and ended up with something that looks like a wax figure or a sunburned tomato, you’re not alone. Learning from real examples of techniques for drawing realistic skin tones can save you years of frustration. In this guide, we’ll walk through practical, real-world pastel methods that actually work on paper, not just in theory. You’ll see examples of layering, glazing, color mixing, and texture-building that artists use every day to make skin look alive, not flat. We’ll focus on soft and oil pastels, but the examples of techniques for drawing realistic skin tones here apply to most pastel types. You’ll learn how to pick colors for different complexions, how to avoid muddy-looking skin, and how to add pores, freckles, and subtle blush without overworking the paper. Think of this as a friendly studio session where you get to peek over the shoulder of experienced artists and borrow their best tricks.
If you’ve ever bought a beautiful set of pastels and then hated how they looked on the page, the problem probably wasn’t you – it was the paper. That’s why looking at real examples of choosing the right paper for pastel drawing can save you money, frustration, and a lot of muddy colors. In this guide, I’ll walk you through practical, real‑life examples of examples of choosing the right paper for pastel drawing, so you can match your surface to your style instead of guessing in the art store aisle. We’ll compare soft pastels, hard pastels, and pastel pencils on different surfaces, talk about tooth, color, and weight, and look at examples that work for beginners as well as more advanced artists. By the end, you’ll recognize the best examples of paper choices for portraits, landscapes, sketchbook practice, and finished gallery pieces. Think of this as your friendly field guide to pastel papers, grounded in real examples instead of theory.
If you’ve ever stared at a pastel drawing and wondered, “How did they make that fur look so soft or that tree bark so rough?”, you’re in exactly the right place. In this guide, we’ll walk through real, practical examples of creating textures with pastels: 3 practical examples that you can test on your own paper right away. Instead of staying vague and theoretical, we’ll look at specific situations: fluffy animal fur, rough stone and bark, and shimmering water and glass. These are some of the best examples of how pastel sticks, pencils, and even your fingers can mimic the textures you see in real life. Along the way, you’ll pick up simple habits—like varying pressure, layering colors, and using unexpected tools—that make your textures more believable and more fun to create. Whether you’re brand new to pastels or returning after a break, you’ll walk away with clear, repeatable steps you can use in your next drawing.
If you’ve ever stared at a bowl of fruit or a vase of flowers and thought, “How do artists make that glow with pastels?” you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll walk through practical, real-world examples of pastel techniques for still life composition that you can actually try today, even if you’re a beginner. Instead of vague theory, you’ll see clear examples of how to layer color, build rich shadows, and design a strong arrangement on the page. We’ll look at the best examples of pastel techniques for still life composition, like soft transitions for glass, bold marks for textured fabrics, and subtle scumbling for dusty bottles or ceramics. By the end, you’ll have a toolkit of strategies you can mix and match for your own setups—whether you’re drawing a simple apple on a kitchen table or a complex arrangement of flowers, books, and pottery. Grab your pastels, clear a spot on your desk, and let’s build a still life step by step.