How to Choose Pastels for a Painting. My Simple Approach!

Do you ever get overwhelmed by too many pastels? Do you only have a few pastels? One of the challenges for painting with pastels is choosing the right pastels to paint a painting. I like to work with a limited preselected choice of pastel sticks. It allows me to have more harmonious color in my painting. In this video I share the process I go through for selected a limited palettes of pastels. Having a preselected palette can make a huge difference in how you approach a painting so I hope you find this video helpful!
If you enjoyed the video please let me know in the comments and give it a thumbs up! I also invite you to join me on Patreon! Patreon Insiders have access to three years of exclusive content! www.patreon.com/karenmargulis

[@janapeony8561]

Karen is simply the best.Without her I would be nowhere.Thank you Karen.

[@InfinitaGioiaPatCHesall]

I often make photos of selected colors and I find this useful. Thank you for your precious sharing 😊

[@marianweaver6038]

I think this is possibly the most informative video you've ever made! As a beginner I have a hard time with color choice and to hear WHY you choose a particular color is very useful. And I really like how you choose colors for each section of the painting. Thank you!

[@KarenMargulis]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback!

[@raindrop5568]

Not even half way through and I've already learned a lot. Thank you for sharing ❤❤

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks! I appreciate you watching!

[@vickibrighton9455]

Thank you so much, Karen. I love all of your videos, and appreciate how much you give of yourself to others. You are an amazing artist and teacher. 💜

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much Vicki! I appreciate you watching!

[@jenfleming9384]

Good tip about using that palette again for a similar painting.

[@KarenMargulis]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@louisehones]

Loved this video and your explanation as to why you select your colors. Thanks 😊

[@KarenMargulis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jenfleming9384]

Great vid thanks Karen. I often wondered about choosing the pastels at the beginning. Instead of the wash cloth I use a roll of soft toilet paper and rub or wipe the pastel on it . As it becomes dirty I rip it off and bin it, and have fresh white to wipe on. Works good for me.

[@KarenMargulis]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing! I'd like to give that a try!

[@marielinesylvie]

Thanks for sharing your preparation method. A great way that will allow me to prioritize the color without being too scattered

[@Juliskool423]

I’ve been so burnt out lately… finding your videos has renewed me. Thank you SO much❤️

[@dianedesrosiers2057]

I love the way you explaining.

[@rhondakelley5026]

Very helpful

[@rosaliefunk1629]

Thank you Karen. You explained this so thoroughly. I’ll never choose a pallet my way again. You are a wonderful teacher!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you very much!

[@waterloom]

Thank you Karen! A wonderful lesson on ways to get out of the chaos of my studio box. I’m going to order a mixing tray right now!

[@robinsamuelson3626]

This was so helpful! Thank you!

[@KarenMargulis]

You're so welcome!

[@victoriagadd6831]

Brilliant and very helpful

[@judyt4087]

Thank you for this explanation. It was really interesting hear you voice the process. I also love the inclusion of warm 'under the grass' colours in addition to 'dirt' colours.

[@KarenMargulis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robinbrady3030]

I used to raise sheep and hope to see you paint that image. Great information.

[@wolfgangtoeglhofer1710]

Great 101 pastel color selection tutorial - thank you Karen

[@KarenMargulis]

You’re welcome 😊 Thanks for watching!

[@juliadixon-smith5416]

I have learnt so much from your really helpful videos and you are so inspiring. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on selecting pastels.

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome!

[@jeannerenaud2357]

Merci, Karen, super vidéo.❤️

[@SusannahFisher]

Terrific video!! Very helpful as I’m starting a new painting too.

[@florinpetcu1044]

Thank you Karen for another helpful video!

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome!

[@tzipporahbragg9798]

Thank you, Karen. That's very helpful. It gets me excited to get painting with pastels.

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome! Have fun with the pastels!

[@ElizabethBattle]

This was sooooo helpful! Thank you!

[@KarenMargulis]

You're so welcome!

[@anettedouglasdotter]

Thank you so much for this, Karen! ❤ So inspiring and helpful! 🙏 Greetings and wishes of a colourful 2022, from Sweden! 🌟🇸🇪

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you! Happy New Year!

[@shayeshephard7487]

This is an excellent video Karen on sharing in depth information on the important step of planning the right color choices to help the painting go smoother with less confusion. Thank you so very much!!!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you ! I appreciate you watching!

[@droberts276]

This was so helpful in teaching me how to think through picking pastels for a painting. Thanks!

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome!

[@kristynsinnott3673]

Wonderful! I really needed this!!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for watching!

[@flyinghaggertys9362]

I’m just starting to paint with pastels amd I love your advise so much! : Paint what you think ☀️ that’s such a simple but really positive & powerful way to create. thank you for these videos and sharing your knowledge! You are a joy to watch and to listen to and your art is so beautiful.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!! I appreciate you watching!

[@betsyconway6302]

Very helpful, especially like the Why of choosing the pastel. Thank you

[@KarenMargulis]

You’re welcome 😊

[@mreinstein48]

Alway sa joy to watch a new video from you Karen! A big thank!

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@clairebureau5881]

Incredibly helpful! And here I always thought that in your demos, the right pastel just magically appeared when you needed it! 😉Thank you and all the best for 2022!

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@hArtyTruffle]

Thanks Karen. Very helpful info 👍🏼

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome!

[@sharoncbechtold9608]

So happy I found your channel! I've been wanting to paint with pastels for many years. I have a great collection of colors but no real clue how to use them. I painted my first pastel following your process and it doesn't look aweful!!! So excited to continue learning. Thank you!!!

[@KarenMargulis]

Yay!! That makes me so happy! Keep on painting!!

[@joyceroy4644]

Karen, This lesson is extremely helpful and one that I needed as color choice has always been a challenge for me. I also have difficulty when painting water on choosing the correct colors to depict the sparkles on moving water on a bright, sunny, breezy day. Could you please address this for me and possibly at some point do a demo on this. Your demos are so informative and inspirational. One of the first things I do daily is to turn on my iPad and search for your demos on Utube. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you for watching my videos Joyce! I will put your requests on my list!!

[@ranjanachand9306]

Very good tips and ideas. Thanks.a very happy new year to you and your loved ones.. Be safe

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you! Happy New Year to you!

[@jeantemplemeyer366]

Thank you for the great videos!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you very much for watching!

[@josephineherrera8508]

Would that I be so inclined to organization! Thank you Karen.

[@KarenMargulis]

I know! Sometimes I don't feel like doing it but it always makes a difference when I do!

[@petrajimenez7323]

Thank you for this very informative video .

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you Petra!

[@jenniferreid2700]

Really helpful video, Karen, to make me add some more structure and discipline to what is generally for me a somewhat hasty and haphazard process..! Did you end up posting the finished painting anywhere where we could see it btw (sorry if you’ve already addressed that and I just missed it)? Would be great to look closely at where / how your color choices were ultimately used…. Fantastic content as always - thanks Karen!

[@oldlady1946]

In your soft pastel box do you mix different brands of soft pastels?

[@KarenMargulis]

Yes I mix the medium soft ones together which are mostly Terry Ludwig and Diane Townsend. I keep the hardest ones and the softer Sennelier separate.

[@klaudiadollbaum6382]

Question….when you are cleaning the pastels as you select them….is that towel damp or dry?

[@KarenMargulis]

The towel is dry! Thanks for watching!

[@deborahbarbaccia6813]

Hi Karen, I've been painting in pastels for several years now, but feel like I've lost my way quite a lot over the last few years. I'm trying to get back on track. I do usually pick my colors before starting, so it's not so overwhelming. Is there anything you can suggest for me to help me get back on track? I feel like I don't know what I'm doing. Maybe becoming a patron of yours??? I haven't done many landscapes. 95% of mine are large florals, and a few beach. Also do you have more than one of each color pastels in your box? Thanks for your help.

[@KarenMargulis]

Hi Deborah! The first step is to want to get back on track and the next is to find some inspiration! I highly recommend going our Patreon group. Not only is there a lot of instruction available, we have a warm and supportive community that can really be helpful! I hope to see you there!

[@deborahbarbaccia6813]

@@KarenMargulis hi Karen, yes thank you so much for getting back to me. The last few years have been very difficult, as they have been for many people. But I lost my job due to covid , my daughter moved to Florida ( I miss her terribly), the art school Id gone to for years closed down. The founder was no longer able to teach due to Alzheimer's and is now in a nursing home. I really miss that and seeing my friends there. I think that's the biggest thing. I loved going there. Then my dad passed away of old age, 100yrs. Last Christmas Eve. So one year ago this year. So that's been tuff too. Before all of this happened I was working on building a business with my art. Possibly a Instagram account to sell my art on line. Thank you for your kindness. Should I go to your website to sign up for your patron group?

[@KarenMargulis]

@@deborahbarbaccia6813 Wow that has been a tough few years! We would love to have you join us! You can go directly to the page and it will guide you through joining. www.patreon.com/karenmargulis

[@deborahbarbaccia6813]

@@KarenMargulis Karen thank you for your kindness. I do have my son 33 still living home with me , we get along well. Things could always be worse. And I know there are some people who have had it worse then me. I know things will work out it will just take some time. Fortunately I have my son here and my daughter, and some very good friends and family that are very supportive. Again thanks so much for your support.

[@susancapin5975]

@@KarenMargulis I learned so much from your excellent video. I watched it twice. I have a set of the Terry Ludwig’s that you curated and have just ordered a set of Sennelier half sticks. I also have an assortment of old Grumbachers that I rarely use. I favor the TL’s!!! I also ordered a set of NuPastels in addition to the ones I have. I hope this will be sufficient. I’m doing a commission of a white poodle on grass 18x24”. I am using an Ampersand pastel board. Do you have any suggestions for me? I’m working from a photo. I have watched a few tutorials on Utube. Thank you for sharing your valuable information in this video!🎨🥰

[@minnahumble2294]

You forgot the link for the butcher tray.

[@KarenMargulis]

Sorry! I get them online at Blicks

[@FlibidyFlu]

Please, please, please. Stop moving the camera all the time. Thanks.