When it comes to pastel drawing, choosing between soft and hard pastels can greatly affect the outcome of your artwork. Soft pastels are known for their rich pigments and blendability, making them perfect for vibrant, expressive pieces. On the other hand, hard pastels offer precision and control, ideal for detailed work. In this guide, we’ll explore three practical examples that demonstrate how to effectively use both types of pastels in your art.
In this example, we’ll use soft pastels to create a stunning, colorful landscape. Soft pastels are perfect for blending and achieving a smooth transition of colors, which is essential for capturing the beauty of nature.
Start by sketching a basic outline of your landscape on pastel paper. Then, choose a palette of soft pastels that represent the sky, mountains, and foreground. Begin with the sky, applying light strokes with a blue soft pastel, blending it with your fingers or a blending stump. Gradually layer in different shades of blue, pink, and purple to create a sunset effect.
Next, move to the mountains. Use darker soft pastels to add depth, applying them in a way that mimics the texture of rocky surfaces. Blend the colors softly to achieve a natural look. Finally, for the foreground, use a mix of greens and browns to create grassy areas and trees. The softness of the pastels allows for a seamless blend and a vibrant finish.
This example focuses on using hard pastels for detailed work, such as drawing a portrait. Hard pastels are great for fine lines and precision, making them an excellent choice for capturing facial features.
Begin by lightly sketching the outline of the face on your paper. Choose a set of hard pastels in skin tones, and start with the lightest shade for the base of the skin. Use the hard pastel to carefully create the contours of the face, paying close attention to the shape of the jaw, nose, and eyes.
Once the base is established, switch to slightly darker tones to add depth and shadow. The firm texture of hard pastels allows for controlled application, helping you create fine details in the eyes and lips. For hair, you can use hard pastels to draw individual strands, layering darker shades for depth.
In this final example, we’ll explore how to combine soft and hard pastels to create a mixed media artwork. This technique allows for unique textures and effects, enriching your overall composition.
Start by using hard pastels to create the outlines and key details of your artwork. This could be a still-life arrangement of fruits, for instance. The hard pastels will give you the precision needed to define shapes and areas of light and shadow.
Once the outline is complete, transition to soft pastels to fill in the colors. Soft pastels work beautifully for larger areas, allowing you to blend and layer colors seamlessly. For the fruits, choose bright colors and blend them together to achieve a realistic look. You can even use a damp brush or sponge to activate the soft pastels for a painterly effect.
After blending, consider adding some details back in with hard pastels to refine your work. This combination of both pastels will give your artwork depth and dimension, making it visually engaging.
By understanding the unique qualities of soft and hard pastels, you can enhance your artistic skills and create stunning artworks. Try these examples to see how each type of pastel can transform your projects!