Oil Pastels vs Soft Pastels - Showdown

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Oil pastels and soft pastels are often confused with one another. This is understandable since both mediums are called "pastels". However, each medium is very different. In this video, we look at the differences and similarities of oil pastels and soft pastels. We also briefly look at a few application techniques for both mediums.
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[@aydinbekoglu]

Dear Sir, I find your videos very educating and good. I am amazed at the fact that you can easily paint pictures in oil, oil pastel, soft pastel, acrylic, graphite, everything! I am a musician and I have been playing the piano since I was a chiild. You are like an orchestra by yourself :) Fascinating!

[@marion7661]

What a nice compliment :)

[@UzumakiNaruto_tobi]

as a young teen who likes doing art, I find it hard to ask someone about materials and tips, thanks to you, I don't have to worry about that now, you're like an art teacher to me

[@birdy369]

Geez that blue light in the background is making the blue in your eyes like... electric neon blue! Edit: i had to check your profile picture and some previous videos to see if there was some kind of special effect on your eyes in this video... doesnt seem like it; your eyes seems to be all natural with no kind of edit on them! WOW! 🤩

[@bre0413]

Colored contacts more than likely.

[@cojaxart8986]

Matt, you are so good at teaching art!

[@cherylroberts1839]

The best explanation for pastels ive seen, thank you!

[@Sweetdreamsatthebeach]

Thank you for being a KZbinr on art. I just came across your works and I Love seeing such talented works as yours. You also have another gift of being able to teach art. I am so excited to watch all your videos, of course on breaks from my art as I am also an artist who paints in many mediums of Landscapes, and seascapes plus pen-n-ink drawings. I am also a calligrapher. As an artist, there is always something to learn from a fine seasoned artist as youself. Thank you for your time and encouragement.

[@janicetasker1854]

Thank you once again for a very informative video. I have always loved dry pastels and even with other experiments I fly back to my dry pastels. ❤

[@Draw_together]

Wonderful drawing!

[@DiSanzio]

Amazing! Wow you answered all the questions I had. Thank you.

[@sunshinejenny777]

LOVE your videos! Thank you! I really needed to know this as I am a very beginner.

[@valeriegehling4358]

Wow! Interesting facts. I read some of the comments & found them also very interesting. Later will try your video for oil pastel beginners as I now own pastelmat. Thanks.

[@miriamrivera3742]

Awesome video thanks for sharing 🎨

[@mobilhome1824]

Can you confirm that thin line work is almost impossible with oil pastels? Because you don't get the sharpened pastel pencil option, as you get with soft pastels.

[@dessyedeeclark1144]

2 ways I know to make thin fine lines with oil pastels: 1) scrub OP pigment onto scratch paper, then invert paper and place on your work at desired location. Now, with a stylus or rounded pencil, draw your image. Pigment will release from the scrap. Wax paper tracing paper or vellum can also work. 2) thin OP with solvent and apply with paint brush. I've also seen a ruler or curved stencil used with OP. So this "tames" the lines.

[@paulah317]

I'm finishing up an oil pastel painting of a portion of a Vermeer painting.....the girl with the trombone. It is a fun experiment.

[@patriciabrowning5741]

Thanks for the great information

[@Joy_56]

I love them both.., but would mention that there can be a vast difference in the texture of oil pastels.. I recently got some Sennelier oil pastels, and they're so soft..wonderful, but more like a stick of oil paint...

[@aydinbekoglu]

yes they are the best oil pastel brand! other brands tend to be not so good. I am a pastel guy myself.

[@brendarudman8806]

I love that cat you did

[@Rbkamel]

One of your best video ever and very informative and give me easy ways to use my small set off oil pastels Can you make one for color fine line pens will appreciate it for life Sir

[@michaelgillespie1206]

I have some of both, the soft pastels are much easier for me to use, but I'm still experimenting with both, the oil pastels are new to me, I haven't tried using oil pastels before.

[@mayainfi]

So, can I “draw with oil pastel sticks on top of an oil painting Thank you for the tutorial!

[@AlbanaOsmaniTV]

Thank you for sharing your information. My question is: what kind of oil pastel and pen are using artists lately mixing with oil colors on canvas lately . Is this something that will stay as long as oil paintings ? I just find out Patel in some artists online mixing this and I cannot find out what brand is this oil pen painting or oil pastel painting mix with oil on canvas ? Thank you again for your time to answer me .

[@AlbanaOsmaniTV]

lately *

[@catherinegarza4283]

What kind of paper can i used for oil pastel?

[@kevintalmich5485]

Ok, so can you use oil and soft oil pastels since they're both oil types?

[@bettyrodriguez3244]

Thank you for this video. If oil pastels never really dry, is it wise to use them for mark making in an acrylic painting?

[@artslimergames]

good sir how do i draw with soft pastels im using a lot of different medias for my a levels right now and soft pastels are by far my hardest one to leasrn and use

[@doodledixie52]

If oil pastels never fully dry, how could one store the art? I loved your video - I have both oil and soft pastels and appreciated learning the difference today!

[@Cariena66]

Good question. I know, Matt has the answer. If you like, ask this question when Getting Sketchy is on air again.

[@AFAskygoddess]

Wow. Before this video, I never realized how gorgeous your blue eyes are. 👀 ❤ Not flirting. Just admiring them with moderate jealousy.

[@KMGunnArt]

Dry pastels were my first art love, but now that I've gotten used to oil pastels I tend to use them more than my "dusties."

[@TwinkleBelle27]

❤

[@gsdmom1194]

I have a question. A little background, I have used both but stopped for a reason. I am from a family of artists. My mother was a successful landscape and wildlife artist (health stopped her from painting before 70 😮), mostly oil paint, water color, and both types of pastels. I started in the 60s at age 4 with oil paints and both pastels. In college, i switched from oil to acrylics, added pencil and charcoals and now have added color pencil. Im HORRIBLE at watercolors. My son is a digital artist, and i have 2 nephews who are still young but are showing a lot of potential. But learning is power!!!! Never stop learning. So....My question. ....in the late 90s I came across the pastels I boxed up before I started college and thought, "oh...this would be fun." I logged on to the 😅 dial-up internet to see what kinds of new pastels, new brands there where. I saw countless articles about certain colors being toxic. FYI, My mom didn't take art in high school. The counselor choose the extra classes for you. Then she got married so she didn't go to college. This might have been something they taught in art classes??? In the the 60s? Anyway, I believe blue might have been one color they said was toxic. I can't remember if it was neurological problems or what. They said to wear gloves and a mask, be cautious of the color dust. This kind of freaked me out because when i was little, Moms studio was in the kitchen. Unfortunately, back in those days, kitchens had carpet sometimes. Yes, i wiped the table off before dinner. She used a heavy outdoor table cloth.....but what about the dust in the air and the carpet fibers. To top it off, there were always easels with oil paintings in progress in the mud room. There were cans of turpintine or lindseed oil and fumes on a shelf in the kitchen my entire childhood. Come to think about it, the furnace was in a closet in the kitchen...isn't that stuff flammable???? OMG..... I feel dumb writing this now like we had our heads in the sand. My parents are actually intelligent but this sounds horrible 😅😅😅 Sooooo..... L-o-o-ng story short ........ Just how much poison and toxic yuck were we exposed to???? Or is that just hype and is it actually safe to get my pastels out.....pending they are any good anymore....lol Many many ❤❤Thanks to anyone who knows these answers I still have my old pastels, they are in a sealed bag and container.

[@aydinbekoglu]

AS far as I know todays many art materials are not toxic whatsoever. We use oil pastels at school for example, kids you know.

[@Cariena66]

Yep, and you could wear a mask when drawings with pastels and/or reduce the dust by using "sanded" pastel paper (f.e. Pastelmat, Canson mi teintes).

[@paulah317]

I'm using old vintage soft pastels, Grumbacher and Rembrandt. I love them!. I'm not worried about the dust and use good sanded paper. I just don't worry about stuff like that. Use your pastels and don't live in fear.

[@cg8397]

Use a HEPA filter and nitrile gloves if you've health concerns about using soft pastels.

[@marion7661]

I like drawing with pastels all my life, but would never been able to tell the difference. But then... I am not the Master!

[@rajkumarpandey3376]

Soft pastels blend very quickly but oil pastels do not, but all pistols feel like powder in the hand and oil pastels do not

[@amitanand1787]

sir pls draw thomas shelby with graphite pencils pls this is my humble request pls

[@kungshih3881]

公石

[@robertclarkson6064]

Thank you 👍👍👍