Oil Pastels Layered Over Acrylics Anyone

Hmm so I have had this set of oil pastels for at least a year. I tried them out with a background technique once. Didn’t care for it, back in the box they went. I have a habit of judging too easily at times (hence the J in INTJ).

After my complete immersion in watching a certain artist’s videos I grabbed the oil pastels out of the box and found out they are amazing for shading.

Then today I read what this artist had to say about how she added color so her faces would not be boring. Now this is not a new concept for me. This artist taught me to do this with paint. Somehow though, it just hit me. And instead of grabbing for my brush and acrylics I instead went for my oil pastels.

In life I have learned that things tend to cycle back when we are ready for them, if at first we are not. I’m very happy that oil pastels came back around to give me a second chance to learn how great they can be.

© 2009 Christy Sobolewski (Gulfsprite.com)

In Jemma’s face you see all these subtle shifts in color (not overwhelming the 3 undercoats of acrylics). they are from my oil pastels. We are budding friends.

© 2009 Christy Sobolewski (Gulfsprite.com)

Play. The kind where you are exhausted and fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow to dream about playing. Imagine kids and a playground filled with swings and merry-go-rounds and lots of green grass for running. Like a small child with no limits or preconceived beliefs. That is what painting is to me.

I want to show you what that play, without direct thought led me to create:

Here is how these pages developed:

1. Text for the borders

2. Paint in the background

3. Paste down two girls from a magazine

4. Grunge it all up a bit with more paint and my favorite paint: Golden’s Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold

5. Fast sketch two girls on the pages

6. Paint them just as quickly as you can

7. Stop and look at what you have created

8. See the theme that developed (Eve as in The Eve, and Mona with a Lisa tacked on)

I did not intend it. I did not plan it. I was tickled when I realized the slight resemblance / concept in each girl. I think the oil pastels inspired my muse on a level I am too human to have been cognizant of until the deed was done. Serious Play!