*NEW FREE CLASS* Oil Pastel Mixed Media for BEGINNERS (Ep. 2 in Series)

This is the VERY FIRST Oil Pastel Mixed Media piece I've ever done!!
Scared to try it?! DON'T be!
I'm also learning and playing and equally as NEW as YOU!
I also have the reference and my final available for free on my website if you'd like to follow along with this tutorial, step-by-step!
🟣 To grab the original reference (that I'm using to create this project) as well as the full, clickable supply list visit: (it's all free) awesomeartschool.com/p/fox
🟣 Binge the Other videos in this Oil Pastels for Beginners Series: • Learn OIL PASTELS with...
🟣 Subscribe & explore to this Mixed Media PAINTING channel kzbin.info...
🟣 For MORE info about this mixed media art video (including links to art supplies featured today) check out my blog post: www.karencampbellartist.com/b...
🟣 Learn about my Mixed Media Society art club:
awesomeartschool.com/p/waitli...
🟣 Join my Facebook Group!
/ awesomeartschool
#karencampbellartist #mixedmediaart #mixedmedia
Music by Epidemic Sound
Links to products are affiliate. I may receive a small commission if you decide to purchase through these links. By law, there is no cost to the consumer for doing so.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks so much for watching!! Okay a couple of things! (1) If you want the supplies links and my reference to follow just head to awesomeartschool.com and click on the KZbin/FREEBIE tab. (2) Obviously, I'm still clueless! lol!! PLEASE share with me any tips you have!! I'd be happy to them share them with the rest of the world on your behalf! (3) To watch the rest of the series check out this playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZzaYoGda9V0l9k

[@ValleyMermaid]

It’s not that physical with the gamsol lol! I know you tried that in the last video but I noticed you were working it harder than you needed to, the mineral spirits melts it pretty easily. I hope you’ll give that method another try. Oh! And once it dries some, you can go right over the pigment with colored pencils for details, if you want. I’m looking forward to doing a version of this and following you, Karen! But I’ll make it easy for myself and use a paint brush and turpentine lol.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Well I didn’t want to skip past this experience tho. I would never appreciate how they worked solo OR how much mediums help until I go through this process first. Plus artist like Black Bean and Lindsay don’t use any mediums when they are working so I really want to be legit like them 😂😂😂

[@ValleyMermaid]

Girl! No one is more hard core and legit as you, @@KarenCampbellArtist 😂❣️ I love the lengths you go to teach us!!! You are THE BEST! Oh! And I love Lindsay and BlackBean! I watch them both! I’ve followed Lindsay for years. She’s really down to earth, talented, and amazing and BlackBean is hilarious and talented!!! Still, you’re my favorite ❤️.

[@TracieWho]

I have a tiny bit of experience with oil pastels, yes, you can scrape back almost to the white of the paper. But once you've smooshed down the tooth of the paper, it's that way. And I also hate the white of the paper showing through. The backside of Canson Mi-tientes is great for oil pastels. Ideally you want the sweet spot of enough but not too much tooth. You need some tooth, but as you are finding out, too much is problematic. Also, your issue with the white is that there is no longer any tooth for the pastel to grab on to. Starting with the darkest colors is fine, as long as you don't completely fill the tooth. Yep, it's a bit of a challenge, but you are really doing great. Those blending stumps are fabulous, aren't they?

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you so much for the tips and encouragement!!!

[@ValleyMermaid]

I like using the gamsol or mineral spirits to blend it out way more than using my fingers or blending stumps. It feels like painting and the colors just glow! It’s way faster too. I appreciate you doing oil pastels❤❤❤!!!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks for sharing! I am enjoying this journey!

[@RachelMartel]

Me too i use mineral spirits and all oil medium oil paint... 😊❤️

[@Senrysa]

I always love my AAS classes.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

♥️♥️♥️

[@soniascrafts]

Hi Karen! Those blending tools with a silicone end are for making marks on the drawings like for instants on trees to carve the brunches...

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you for the tip!

[@sharonboone2172]

My experience with oil pastels is that the secret is in the layering. Blend then add layers. Layering on more pastel helps to blend it as well. Some artists use a tiny bit of oil to help blend the oil pastels with a q-tip. You can use a sharp implement to cut and shape the edge of your pastel to a point for detail work. I do like pairing with colored pencils, too. I've even seen some artists cut off a piece of the oil pastel and smear it like paint. Some add additional oil to create like an oil paint. I haven't tried that technique yet. You're doing great! Your fox is adorable! Ps. I love your nail polish!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you for the tips! AND THANKS! :)

[@cherylclaviter6398]

Finally was able to sit and watch. I love your ways of teaching and working through the process. I think I will give these a try. Thank you again💕💕

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed it!

[@kateivester3122]

Absolutely adorable ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you!!

[@ValleyMermaid]

I love how this cute dog turned out! It’s beautiful!!!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you!!!

[@kimwoodring6610]

I’m really glad you are working through the oil pastels. I’m very interested in learning this medium and the fox is so darn cute❤️

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you so much! You've got this!

[@postyourscore75]

Love oil pastels😊😍! So grateful for the tutorial!!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

My pleasure 😊

[@ChantelleArts]

I love how you create the highlights ❤❤❤

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you!!!

[@michellemusselman1923]

So adorable!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you!

[@user-um2zx4lp2t]

Rub your hands together quickly, creating friction. It will warm your hands and help soften the oil pastels to move it around.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you for the tip!!!

[@DovesWhite]

It was great!💖

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@EvetteW]

Absolutely love this. Ive started this and Ive been drawing along with you. Going to take a break and come back to it tomorrow. I also love black beanCMS he is such a vibe 😂

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks for joining me!!!

[@WendyColeArt]

Really cool picture. I just had a thought, what if you put a water color wash as an underpainting so then you wouldn't have white paper specs.I love the color intensity of these.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

very good idea! Thank you Wendy!!

[@lourdescarballo5117]

I ENJOY THE ADVENTURE ,IT WAS REALLY. DIFFICULT THANKS ❤️❤️

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Wasn’t it! But I think it was worth it! Thanks for watching!

[@sumeshshanmughan]

Brilliant job 👏👏👏👏

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you!!!

[@Ameylynn]

He turned up so adorable!! I must try oil pastels!for $20 it’s not a bad thing!!! Thank you for the video Karen!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

You must! It’s a fun lil journey!

[@theresalowe1231]

Thankyou for quite an effort and I felt your pain learning every step of the way. I don’t think this medium is for me though. There doesn’t seem to be any moments of pleasure here. I would head for my pan pastels,alcohol markers and pencil crayons but boy do I thankyou for the stepping out on thin ice for us.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you for watching! I definitely had fun though and seeing the end product made it worth it!

[@ellietodd393]

You can actually sharpen them for finer areas. If you want a white that shows over your oil pastels you need a very opaque, more expensive of course, brand. Sennelier sells open stock and their white is great. Very soft and opaque. The cheaper brands just don't work. Your first layer needs to be fairly thick to avoid the white of the paper. You are doing a great job.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you so much for the tips and encouragement!

[@dkhodson]

Pastels need a lot of tooth in order to layer and blend better. There's pastel paper made for it. But if you want to use watercolor paper, use hot press or rough rather than cold press.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

But hot press has no tooth? My pastel paper doesn’t either which is why I chose coldpress. What am I missing 😂 I’m so confused!

[@dkhodson]

You're right, my bad! I confused it with rough watercolor paper. 🙂@@KarenCampbellArtist

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@dkhodson I would think rough cut would be a nightmare!! I’ll try sanded pastel paper, I did that with my club students with soft pastels and it was okay. Black Bean just uses regular drawing paper and he’s the man so I’m going to try that too!

[@dkhodson]

Pastelmat is my go-to, but rough WC takes layers well and that helps with blending. I enjoyed your video and appreciate how you are willing to try new things in real time, which shows us all that we should never be afraid to try something new! Thank you!@@KarenCampbellArtist

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you for watching!!! I appreciate your support!

[@bonniezaddach6857]

Besides Black Bean, I like to get inspiration for my oil pastel piece by KZbin artists - Misako Flodin, and Korean artist 우네모 Wunemo. Then for real life doable examples I love 니아 NIA ART, All One Art. I could go on and on, Love Oil Pastels!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you for the recommendations! I’ll have to check them out!

[@Peace696]

Merry Christmas my sweet lovely friend and i hope Santa is good to you.. Much ❤❤

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

YOU TOO!

[@Senrysa]

Yes, light to dark like in what I call extreme coloring. Also in painting if you go light to dark - you can always go darker but difficult to go lighter. Acrylic dries quickly so it’s much easier to add lighter highlights. Sometimes I take days to color one picture but I am an impatient artist who hates to plan ahead so its hard.😂

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

I can relate!!!

[@auntiechris]

I *think* Blackbean uses drawing paper rather than watercolor or pastel paper. You can use a toothpick or similar to scratch out hairs/fur and other tiny details. Use your super soft Sennelier white to brighten your highlights *at the very end.* For blending, I use a teeeeny amount (like a single molecule) of Gamsol or linseed oil and a brush that I don't care about. (But I also like a blending stump and/or the rubber tip things.) Disclaimer: I'm also a super newbie with oil pastel, so my advice may be worthless.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Even if you are a newbie I appreciate the tips!

[@ellietodd393]

Also the rubber tools make sharp edges as do Prismacolor or Polychromos pencils.

[@juditszepessy8936]

What fixative do you use to protect your work? Thank you!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

To be honest I use fixatives sparingly. I prefer a frame to a smelly sealer! But I own this one and this is the one I would use if I were to use one! amzn.to/488iKUM (Affiliate link)

[@juditszepessy8936]

@@KarenCampbellArtist, thank you so much for your reply! I love your art and your energetic personality! Would you use a hairspray as a fixative?

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Since I am still new to oil pastels, I found this specific fixative works well. I haven't tried hairspray! Totally open to experimenting with it!

[@TraciCampbell]

So frustrated! I cannot find the stuff you put on to protect your hands! Not at Michaels, not at Hobby Lobby and so far I haven't found it on Amazon. Does anyone know what it's called?

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

It’s here! amzn.to/47OSgHO Affiliate link for you!

[@TraciCampbell]

Thank you Karen! It's on it's way from Amazon! I'm finally going to dive in and color something! I'm having knee surgery tomorrow so I'm sure this will take my mind off pain! You are the best! By the way, Black Bean CMS is also awesome!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Sorry I am just seeing this response! I hope the surgery went smoothly friend!

[@TraciCampbell]

Thank you so much for letting me play along! I ended up having another difficult back surgery at the end of January. I'm in a great deal of pain. I started this cute little fox and I intend to finish him eventually. Hopefully this surgery helps the nerve damage in my back and gets me on my feet. This was the last thing they could do to help the.nerves repair as much as can be done We shall see.@@KarenCampbellArtist

[@Jennifer-gd1xj]

Maybe use white gesso for highlights??

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Unfortunately nothing can go over oils except other oils - bummer! I know! But I just used oil paint so we’re good! 🙌

[@Jennifer-gd1xj]

@@KarenCampbellArtist oh good...I was just watching this now...

[@veystone2580]

If you like oil pastels and are planning of keep using them, do yourself a HUGE favor and buy one stick of WHITE Sennelier oil pastel. Is really expensive.... like 5 bucks for one stick, BUT that is the best white out there, PERIOD. Use it only for really bright hightlights at the very end, and you wont regret it. Used that way it will last you a while! For details, of course you can use colored pencils, but you can also use colour shapers to move the pastel that is already on the paper to a specifit tiny area. 😊 And seeing the white of the paper means you need to apply more product to the paper. 😉 And for a painterly look, blend with linseed oil or walnut oil using a brush.... the kind of firm brush you would use for acrylics, not a soft watercolor brush. 😊

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Yes! I have a whole set of Senneliers I tested last time - will do! Thank you!

[@veystone2580]

​@@KarenCampbellArtistyes!!! Of course! I forgot u did buy Sennelier! Is just I was focusing on your reaction with the nasty Faber-Castell ones, 😅 I forgot you also got the Sennelier! I commented on that video something along the lines of: "Oh no... she got the Faber-Castell. Can't wait to see your reaction..." Something like that 😅😅😅

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@veystone2580 😂😂 no worries! And I appreciate you taking the time, always ❤️

[@rainrobin4505]

Someone should create a colorless oil pastel for blending .

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

There’s an idea!!!

[@auntiechris]

Sennelier has a colorless blender!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@mariacheung647]

Oh i have a question. Do you fix this with anything? I feel like oil Pastel is too fat and oily for fixative. Ah and brw, the fox is so so adorable, love the hat so much ❤❤❤ ❤❤

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

I did not! I have had Sennelier D'Artigny Oil Pastel Fixative recommended to me since posting! Haven't tried it out yet!

[@SMBDesigns]

You can always sharpen them. Just use a makeup sharpener

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Oh yes!!!

[@user-um2zx4lp2t]

I am like you, I do not like the white spots.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

they are the worst!

[@valj233]

Hi! Karen. Just watched oil blending pastel technique on KZbin . Rangoboom drawing art. He used blending stump first as normal, then he roughed up a blending stump with sandpaper and got a very smooth finish ?? Must try it......I'm watching your complete video before I even attempt this 😅 never used oil pastels before 🫣

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Oh wow! How interesting!