How to Mix Beautiful Oil Pastels

Learning how to mix beautiful oil pastels doesn't have to be complicated. This updated guide presents a clear workflow, practical checks, and troubleshooting advice you can use while completing the process.

Blend with Fingers

Finger blending is often the first method most artists try when working with oil pastels and it can yield great results!

The main downside is that your fingers can get dirty quickly, meaning you could accidentally smear other colors. You should wash your hands frequently if you use this technique, or keep some wet wipes nearby to clean your fingertips.

Mixed Pile

Blending sticks or tortillons can be helpful if you want to keep your hands clean. These are paper sticks that you can use to smudge the pastels.

You can rub the tip with a kneaded eraser or remove some of the surface with sandpaper when the mixing paddle gets dirty. Then your mixing paddle will look like new and you can get back to work!

Tissue

Paper towels are cheap and easy to find. You can crumple them up or shape them into a point to mix the wax together. Be careful not to rub your drawing too hard or the paper will disintegrate.

Foam Insulation Tube

This may sound like a strange suggestion, but don't be afraid to try it. Foam insulation tubing can be found at most hardware or DIY stores and can be cut into short pieces for easier handling. Rub it over your wax pastels to blend the colors together evenly.

Baby Oil

You probably already have a bottle of baby oil in your home if you are a parent. If not, baby oil is available at pharmacies and supermarkets and is very cheap.

Baby oil is actually mineral oil, so it's perfect for blending oil pastels together! Try not to use too much as it can make your paper greasy. Apply a little with a brush or cotton swab and blend to your liking.

Low Odor Solvent

Low odor solvents are commonly used with oil paints. Since pastels are also oil based, you can use solvents on them as well.

You can also use turpentine, but this has a very strong smell and is toxic, so you should use a less smelly alternative.

Make sure you are in a well-ventilated room if using turpentine. Wash it off with soap and water if any gets on your skin.

You can use a low odor solvent with a brush or cotton swab to smooth out your oil pastels. Add just a little at a time for best results.

Test on a piece of paper first so you know what the results will be like when using for the first time.

Use a Palette Knife

You can mix and blend colors directly onto the paper or separately in a palette. A palette knife works well for blend the pastels in the palette before transferring to paper.

This approach gives you more control over the color mixing, but can be difficult to apply evenly on paper.

Clay Eraser

Every artist should have one of these erasers in their kit. These soft erasers can be shaped with your hands, so you can mold them into a point if you like.

Just rub the eraser lightly over your drawing and see how easily the crayons blend!

Flaxseed Oil

Turn your oil pastel drawing into an oil painting with a few drops of linseed oil. This dilutes the pigment and makes the resulting coloring effect more like paint! You can even move the oil pastel around with a brush.

Color Layering

You can also blend the wax by coating it with another color. This works well for create different effects at the same time.

For instance, if a color is too bright, you can blend and tone it down at the same time by layering white, gray, or black over it.

Water

Some oil pastels are water soluble, so you can create a watercolor-like effect by brushing a little water over them. Be careful not to use too much or the paper will warp!

Final Thoughts

The most reliable way to handle mix beautiful oil pastels is to follow the process in order, verify each important setting, and test the result before moving on. Use the guidance above as a practical reference, then adjust the details for your device, software version, or specific goal.