Working with pastels

[0onarcissisto0]

Hey guys,

I know some of you have worked with pastels before. I'm looking into buying some, but I don't know what to look for. Should I go for oil pastels or chalk pastels? Should I go for hard, soft?

Any help appreciated ;D

[Himmapaan]

I'm afraid you won't be able to paint models with oil pastels. It's the pastel dust that is used, so chalk pastels are your obligatory choice. (Isn't that an oxymoron? I digress...)

Good quality pastels are very soft, but you won't need to buy anything too expensive. Arm yourself with many cheap brushes as these will deteriorate very quickly from the grinding of the pigments.

[0onarcissisto0]

Excellent! I was hoping you would be one of the ones who answer as I've seen some of your work and am a fan.

Thanks Niroot!

[paleoferroequine]

There are many brands, I have used Grumbacher, Alphacolor. Prismacolor, and Dr. Ben's.
Here is a web site to get some inexpensive sets, a 24 color set for less than $6.00 USD

www.dickblick.com/products/blick-pastels/

[takama]

Soft ones are very usful for blends. I dony Know anything about oil ones though, ecept that they are simalar to a crayon.

when your done with your project, be sure to spray it with "fix it spray" so the chalk dosent blow off in the future.

[Himmapaan]

Yes, you'd need to spray each layer with fixative and allow it to completely dry before continuing. If you're painting with pastels alone, it's an extremely time-consuming process and can take many, many layers.

I don't know how much you're already aware, so if I haven't elaborated a great deal, it's because I'm anxious not to patronise! But if you have any other questions, do please ask away!

And thank you for your kind compliment, too!

[0onarcissisto0]

I really don't have any experience with pastels whatsoever. I posted pics of my Predation Scene resin kit (check them out if you have the time), and I only used acrylics unfortunately. I think pastels would have helped smoothen my shading work. So, please, don't feel that you are patronizing in any way. I really did come to this forum in great part to receive advice from more experienced artists. I am but a sponge in this vast sea of knowledge

[Himmapaan]

Having just seen your predation scene, I now recall some of your earlier models before! You are evidently far more experienced with painting models in general than I am! *Kowtows*

I think using pastels in conjunction with acrylics is ideal -- I did that with the Krentz Antediluvian T. rex I recently painted. As you say, you can achieve a good subtle gradation that way without going insane over a thousand and one pastel layers.

[0onarcissisto0]

Sigh...I wish I could claim credit for the earlier models that seem to have made such a great impression on you, Niroot, but alas, this is the first resin kit I have ever worked on, let alone have had enough courage to post pictures of! I am very grateful for everyone's encouragement nonetheless All those hours spent painting and repainting did not go to waste!

As for your comment about me having more experience than you in painting models, I say, "Surely, you jest!" A while back, I saw your said Antediluvian Rex and I litterally put down my Shapeways Giganoto and went off to watch television to dissipate the envy.

Anyhow, I ordered a set of pastels online and am anxiously waiting for their arrival.

[martingarratt]

I agree with everything that's been said above.
I use pastels quite often; not only for the dinos but also on figure kits. I always use pastels to do the 'make-up' on any girl kit as I find it gives a softer finish. I have attached some pics as examples of different kits that I have used a combination of acrylic paint and pastels on.

[0onarcissisto0]

Ooooh, that second kit was used in David Fisher's instructional videos! Yours is particularly gruesome!

[Himmapaan]

Jan 31, 2012 20:34:04 GMT 0onarcissisto0 said:

...A while back, I saw your said Antediluvian Rex and I litterally put down my Shapeways Giganoto and went off to watch television to dissipate the envy.

I may say the very same, having seen your in-progress predation scene. It's looking stunning, and nobody could have suspected at all that it was your first trial at model painting!