Tips for Better Pastel Blending with a Beach Dune Demo

In this informal Sunday Studio video I give my thoughts on the big question of blending with pastels. To blend or not to blend? Join me as I share some ideas and demonstrate effective blending in a pastel painting of some dunes. Visit my daily painting blog for much more! www.karenmargulis.com

[@donannchristensen6636]

So helpful! Your videos are very empowering. Your relaxed and pleasant demeanor, Heidi, your husband's comments, all add to the friendliness and effectiveness of the video.

[@CoCoComet]

2 years later, new to pastels and only about six minutes in, I have to say this is one of the most informative videos about pastel blending I've come across, thank you!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for watching and for your comment! It is most appreciated!

[@mary-joromero8821]

I have just started watching your videos, and I have learned SO much! You are brilliant! Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge on pastels!

[@snatchbloock]

Nice video. I am an experienced pastel artist and I do primarily portraits. I find that when painting flesh tones, gentle blending is necessary. I usually start with a base color and blend using a paper towel folded into a conical shape. The cone shape provides a fine point and a broad end. Paper towels have lots of tooth and they are very effective as well as disposable. As I add more flesh tones, I do so with light touch and again blend with paper towel. I use traditional blending tools as well as towels with very realistic results.

[@libbyfuntera8497]

Thank you Karen-fantastic instruction and demonstration. Made me realise I don't blend enough nor have enough soft pastels.

[@cnbowles1]

Thank you so much...this really helped with questions I had about blending...I did not know that about the crystals in the pastel...makes a lot of sense to me now...

[@prabhapanth6762]

Thank you, I used to blend too much, and your demo showed what goes wrong if that is done! Thanks.

[@azong98]

Dear Karen, thank you so much for this tutorial. It has answered lots of my questions. I have been painting pastel for years and somewhat stucked because I couldn't figure out how to make my painting illuminate and alive. You're a great artist and teacher! THANK YOU

[@arabellahorwitz2622]

You are such an inspiration! I love watching you paint.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much!

[@chappbj]

I love everything you do, Karen! This was great!

[@AsiaZawadzkaLazuchiewicz]

Karen, I really enjoy your videos. Love your painting style and your fantastic informative tutorials. Thank you for sharing.

[@mrsnutty88]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video. It has been SO helpful to me. I just love your relaxed style. So glad I’ve finally discovered you. Best wishes to you and Michael. What a great husband he is....so supportive!!!!

[@flooklh]

Thank you for a wonderful and instructive video. I learnt so much. You make me want to go and dive into my Rembrandt pastels and get going. Keep up the good work. I love your demonstrations

[@whirlibirdfarms5939]

You are such a great teacher!!

[@lisafroment856]

You explain everything so well! You’re painting technique is really amazing. I’m an oil painter and just ordered a lot of pastel supplies. I’m going to paint along with you

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your feedback and welcome to the world of pastels!!

[@ediedanley2195]

Thanks for answering the blending info. I now know how I was messing up and will see how I do in the a.m. when I start a new painting. You are ever so good. Oh yes, the cat...identical to mine and he always helps as well as my mutt

[@simaabedini843]

Learning and enjoying your lesson , thank you karen .

[@pattihowe2136]

Terrific demo Karen. I learned a lot. Thank you!

[@scottieramsey4331]

JUST LOVE THIS VIDEO WHEN TO BLEND OR NOT. I CANNOT SEEM TO FIND WHERE YOU MIGHT HAVE POSTED THE FINISH. ACTUALLY, I TRULY LOVE ALL YOUR VIDEOS. YOU ARE AN ASTOUNDING ARTIST AND AN EXTRAORDINARILY GENEROUS TEACHER!

[@KarenMargulis]

I'll have to look. It may be on my blog or Patreon Page. Some of the videos I share were originally Patreon lessons. Thanks for watching!!

[@margarethearne5825]

Scottie Ramsey i am in Australia and i purchase pipe installation at Bunnings

[@juliewhitehead4432]

Thanks Karen enjoyed watching your methods for blending and another lovely painting. I have recently dusted off ( no pun intended) some canson paper i bought ages ago and I am enjoying working with it ---- makes me plan ahead, as it does fill up quickly. Thanks again Julie

[@Tony-InLosAngeles]

Thanks Karen really enjoy watching your videos...Tony

[@hirenandfriends]

I've just begun to paint with soft pastels but I've got to learn a lot from your videos. I also got to learn from this video that too much blending leads to dull colours. I would also like to watch your tutorial on use of oil pastel on soft pastel.

[@mollymuzette5860]

Very helpful! Thanks. You're a great teacher.

[@rzrr41]

Another master class from a Master artist thanks...Gracias.

[@darlene6969]

Love your videos made easy to follow...thanks so much for sharing

[@towardsthelight4919]

Wonderful thank you so much!.... and yes to more paint along videos please 🙏

[@Beautiful_Dreamer]

Thank you, Karen!

[@TerrieJohnson731]

I am new to pastel and have a 64 1/4 stick soft set artist grade (not non-toxic) so I assume.. with a hard black and white. I am getting a huge set of hard next week. You are my favorite new teacher and channel. Thanks so much for all you do!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much for watching!!

[@terrilynnstalvey1416]

Big help, especially re blending 👋 Heidi and Jenny. ❤🤗

[@lisengel2498]

What a beautifull metaphor using the pinky finger as a butterfly blending

[@marcotronic]

excellent exercise! Thanks so much.

[@rosarebada4777]

I have never worked with oil pastels, but your demo was so informative that I am encouraged to try working with some that have been in a multi-case art set gifted to me a few years ago. So I have a couple of (edit - now three) questions: Will they be depleted because of age? Also can they be used on top of a watercolor that has not been waxed or sealed? For practice-only pieces, is there any common household product to substitute for fixative, such as spray varnish or hair spray? What caught my interest was learning how much they can be layered with variations in effect. Your presentation is so rich with rationale, rhyme and reason ... I almost forgot to say, "Beautiful." Thank you so much.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Thanks karen

[@margarethearne5825]

great lessons . thx from Australia . Bunnings sell pipe insulation . :)

[@grahamjeffries]

As always very informative just trying to catch up with some videos when you use Canson which side are you using the smooth or rougher side, thank you

[@TheAmoffett13]

A few paint-alongs would be awesome, please!

[@claudemaximus9409]

Thank you so much, my question is blending the under painting versus brushing with Robing alcohol, any tips.. I am a bit green at this, 🙏

[@suzypastel5206]

Très belle démo j’aime beaucoup votre technique merci de nous la faire partager

[@noremac4807]

Hi Karen Great video, thank you so much for sharing your wealth of experience! Quick question: are you using the rough or smooth side of the canson mi tientes paper?

[@KarenMargulis]

I am using the smooth side!

[@noremac4807]

Hi again Karen I'm curious to know whether you would use pastel pencil to add finer details to this picture, or not. Also, I would have loved to get a close up view of how you were applying the pastel and the effects being created. Thanks for the awesome information!

[@KarenMargulis]

I don't use pastel pencils because I can get the same fine detail with harder sticks and holding a pencil makes me tighten up! I will keep your suggestion in mind for the next video. I am also doing short closeup video on my Instagram @karenmargulis

[@adamsaoud7191]

i wonder if Hiedi can paint too lol it was awesome lesson thank u so much

[@connierodriguezart2028]

I am enjoying all your you tube videos. I am an acrylic painter but want to try pastels... do you always have to frame them under glass? What if ypu use a fixative...the. Does it still need a glass cover? Thx for replying...

[@leigh-annh2544]

Thanks for your videos Karen (and John) . I like the information you give. Do you use a kneedable eraser at all to remove pastel? I am in Australia and we don't have insulation on our pipes where I am. Do you know what that bit of foam is made of? Is it kind of rubbery, or more like the plastic foam with an almost shiny exterior? Sorry I am so vague, but I hope you understand what I am asking. I think I have encountered something that might be similar that was used in packing...???

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for watching! The foam is not at all rubbery. I would say it is like a plastic foam with a shiny exterior. It is like packing material but it doesn't shred as easily as some of the 'peanuts' we have. I don't use a kneaded areas at all. If I want to remove pastel I brush it off. I should try the kneaded eraser!!

[@leigh-annh2544]

Karen Margulis - thanks for your speedy response. I shall experiment with a bit of packing foam. I was taught in my first pastel teacher to massage a kneedable eraser while painting to help keep my fingers clean. (Can save embarrassing marks from getting on my face if I scratch my nose and don't realise I have a black smudge and greet someone at the door, wondering while they have a funny smile. True story.)The eraser can be shaped to lift a tiny dot or gently pressed/ patted / rolled onto work to remove a larger area. Just give them a kneed and they have swallowed up the pastel and have a clean surface again. I have pounced them on my background to give the effect of dappled light. I make a lot of mistakes but you have developed your skill and don't seem to make them at all.

[@markchorlton60]

I think some artists are using pieces of pool noodles in place of foam pipe insulation.

[@simaabedini843]

Does un sanded holds pastels layers as much as sanded papers ! Also which Uart grade you would use ! You are such a wonderful artist , thank you for spending your time in here to teach .

[@KarenMargulis]

Sanded usually can hold more layers. I use workable fixative on unsanded paper to get more tooth. I usually use 400 and 500 grade Uart paper. Thanks for watching!

[@user-sh1hx6cn3f]

Sima abedini -

[@susancapin5975]

I learned so much about blending today. I am totally addicted to your wonderful videos! I am curious to know what type of large brown board you use; it looks like it is self stick. I use either masonite clip board or foam core. I am also curious about the table in front of your easel. Is it attached?

[@KarenMargulis]

I'm so glad! I use black foam core board and use black artist tape to attach my paper to the board.I use tape hinges. The table is not attached. I have a box under the black cloth to make it the right height!

[@BonnieBornsteinFertelNJ]

First of all, Karen, thank you for sharing your expertise. I'm a pastel-newbie with experience in watercolor. I'm watching before I start painting with pastels to learn as much as I can. I'm very concerned with inhaling the dust of pastels and also of absorbing into my skin by touching/holding each beautiful color.... I've purchased disposable respirator masks and gloves. Am I over-reacting? Thanks :-)

[@KarenMargulis]

Hi Bonnie, Thanks for watching! I think you are taking good precautions if you are concerned about the safety of pastels. I think we all need to do what makes us comfortable and you are well protected. Enjoy creating beauty with your pastels!

[@BonnieBornsteinFertelNJ]

Thank you. I don't see any pastelist taking any precaution. Am I overthinking? Have a great day!

[@barbaravannipasi2612]

Ciao Bonnie, io non uso la maschera ma per le mani uso una crema barriera così non mi restano troppo macchiate e non mi danno allergie i colori.

[@renzo6490]

I think that if you notice anyone who works with pastels coughing or having any sort of respiratory problems, you might infer that the cause is pastel dust.

[@evajansevanrensburg5282]

I have been watching your programs what I would like to know is there any other material one can use other than pastel paper such as a board sanded to make a bit of a rough surface thank you

[@KarenMargulis]

You can use any paper for pastels . If you want to add grit to make it rusher try coating it with CLEAR gesso

[@gloriaabrahamian8345]

Hi Karen, My pastel work is improving thanks to you and Susan J. Do you ever do workshops? If so, where might I get information? I'm in Chicago...but I'd come to Georgia.

[@KarenMargulis]

Hi Gloria,I'd love for you to come to a workshop. I am doing a one day in LaGrange but it is full with waitlist. You can find my schedule on my blog. Link for workshops at the top of the page www.karenmargulis.com

[@magalysuarez3233]

😍😍😍😍🤗💐 Thanks!

[@KarenMargulis]

You're welcome 😊

[@renzo6490]

I'm looking at your thumbnail sketch taped to the board. The bottom left corner looks light in value. But you fill it with a dark value as you paint the scene...around minute 14. Can you help me understand why when the thumbnail, in which you established the desired values, looks so different? (Later) Ok...I see that you covered those darks with lighter pastels. I think I remember on a snow scene that you put in darks first so that the snow will look brighter on top of them. Is that principle at work here?

[@dslart9576]

Why don't you have as much pastel on your hands, face and clothing the way I do ? Great lesson Karen !

[@gypsysnickerdoodle4354]

Canson? Don't you find most of it falls off, even if you barely rub the pastel on it? I always feel I'm just dusting it off the paper, to the gutter. I must be doing something horribly wrong, because it seems I'm wasting the pastels

[@KarenMargulis]

I don't have that problem with Canson but I do have a friend who does. The pastel just falls off. We could never figure out why. Have you tried using medium pressure?

[@azong98]

Gypsy SnickerDoodle I use nupastel and I experience the same problem. The soft pastel holds better.

[@Megzamani]

I see you use alchohol at times seventy percent. Have you used the ninety percent. Also I saw a person use acrylic medium to work the under painting. Have you tried that. I only have in my eight days pastel the nupastel. I want to get a set of others. Should I get soft pastels or more like the nupastel which is a medium hard. Thank you.

[@KarenMargulis]

Anything goes with pastel which is what I love about them. I personally like a variety of hardness of my pastels to get the full variety of marks and effects. I review some of the most popular intro sets over on my Patreon Page. You can join for $4 monthly pledge and have access to over 4 years of pastel instruction! www.patreon.com/karenmargulis

[@katalindejong]

This is beautiful is it possible you could paint this again on patrion ?

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks! I just got back form the beach with some new photos that are similar so I will definitely be painting them soon!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks! I just got back form the beach with some new photos that are similar so I will definitely be painting them soon!

[@abhijitganguly5339]

RESPECTED MADAM, YOUR PETS ARE GOOD!THE KITTEN WAS BETTER😃😺😃

[@margcromack1229]

why black and not green or purple or blue?

[@lauriebaron6382]

I love watching you but it is really hard to hear you when the camera is away from you

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for the feedback. We are only using an iPhone for these Facebook live videos so I know they are less than perfect. I wish I had time to make professionally done videos!

[@trudyrose4687]

KarenMargulis

[@KLS1974]

Your tutorials are very informative. However the quality of the video is not very sharp. It would help if you were filming closer or have a higher definition camera. We cannot see the detail work.

[@barbaraoregan4945]

Cat pastel

[@virginiab4543]

I wish I could hear you :(

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you for watching. I'm sorry you are having trouble hearing me. I tested it on all my devices and it seemed loud enough. I try hard to speak loud and clear! I will work on it!

[@janetbostrom8776]

Very hard to hear you . I have volume up 100% Need to get the michrophe closer to her

[@darlene6969]

We can see your camera man behind your picture in the mirror

[@Bangbangshelly]

Why do you never show your process of finishing a painting? I love watching you work, but you almost always stop before you finish. Please show your process more, as for me at least, putting on the finishing touches is the hardest part.