Art Making Techniques

The oil pastel technique combines the vibrancy of paint with the tactile control of drawing, making it a versatile and expressive medium. Oil pastels are rich in pigment and buttery in texture, allowing for smooth application on various surfaces. Blending is a key aspect of oil pastel painting, achieved by layering colors and softening transitions with tools like blending stumps, fingers, or even a cloth. This technique can create seamless gradients, soft edges, or dynamic textures depending on pressure and layering. When building a painting with oil pastels, artists can use bold strokes for vibrant detail or delicate layering for subtle depth. The flexibility of this medium makes it ideal for both spontaneous creativity and detailed compositions.

Impasto
Thick layers of paint are applied to the canvas using a brush or palette knife to create a textured, three-dimensional surface.

Dry Brush
A small amount of paint is applied with a dry brush to create a scratchy, textured effect with visible brush strokes. Great for adding highlights or rough textures.

Glazing
Thin, transparent layers of paint are applied over dry layers to build up depth and richness in color without covering the underlying layer.

Scumbling
A dry, broken layer of lighter opaque paint is brushed over a darker color, allowing some of the underpainting to show through for a smoky or atmospheric effect.

Washing
Acrylic paint is heavily diluted with water or medium to create a transparent wash, similar to watercolor techniques.

Pouring
Fluid acrylics are mixed with a pouring medium and poured directly onto the canvas to create abstract, marbled, or cell-like patterns.

Stippling
Dots or small dabs of paint are applied using the tip of a brush or sponge to create texture, shading, or pattern.

Palette Knife Painting
Paint is applied with a palette knife instead of a brush, resulting in bold strokes and dramatic texture.

Sgraffito
A technique where wet paint is scratched or scraped away to reveal layers underneath, creating lines or textures.

Blending
Colors are mixed directly on the canvas or gently worked together to create smooth transitions and gradients.

Sponging
A sponge is used to dab on paint, creating a soft, mottled texture that’s great for clouds, foliage, or abstract backgrounds.

Splattering
Flicking or tapping a brush to scatter paint onto the canvas for a spontaneous, energetic effect.