EASY! Oil-Pastel Mountain Step-by-step Tutorial

New to oil pastels? Try this easy tutorial!
I am also putting my Soft Pastel for beginners class on sale for 50% off this month to celebrate Pastel Month! lindsayweirich.teachable.com/... *Offer good on one-time purchases or payment plans. The offer ends 10/1/22. Use coupon code PASTEL50 if the discount doesn't appear automatically
Supplies:
Canson XL Sand Grain Dry Mixed media pad 9"x12" "natural" shrsl.com/3o549
Oil pastels, the set I used can be found here: www.aliexpress.com/item/10050... and I have a review of them here: • Marco Raffine Morandi ... *I have only seen those on Aliexpress and they were sent to me for review.
Easier to find oil pastels of comparable quality are:
Paul Rubens pastel "macaron tones" amzn.to/3pGRKYa
Mungyo Gallery soft oil pastel "assorted" amzn.to/3KcsPoJ
*top of the line is Sennelier. You can find sets on amazon: amzn.to/3Cnh64D and sets or single pastels can be purchased from blick: shrsl.com/3o54v
Reference: unsplash.com/photos/S2uQdHTXbbc
Try a class! lindsayweirich.teachable.com
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Credits:
Video production and Craft ideas: Lindsay Weirich
Music: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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#thefrugalcrafter #watercolor #art

[@MARIAdianeMARIE]

i always enjoy the real time tutorials more than the sped up ones... it sets the right expectations for those that really want to learn. :)

[@lisastevens2607]

Yes, on the real time videos. I appreciate tutorials using oil pastels. I have a set and haven’t used them yet. Thanks!

[@Linda-qq5mg]

I am so glad that you have included oil pastels in your pastel tutorials this month! I haven’t used them in a while and these will inspire me to try again!

[@denisegurdineer1618]

The real time tutorial is fantastic! So excited to get my oil pastels out and give this a try it's been awhile Love it! Thanks Lindsay

[@tarachan6284]

Thank you so much for doing an oil pastel. I can’t wait to try this. I’m going to use it with my son who I homeschool. I really like the real time version better than the time lapse.

[@tracyvis2101]

I prefer the real time tutorials. Glad you started with oil pastels. My soft pastels haven’t arrived yet. Maybe you’ll start a trend with Pastember!

[@nancyloomis3046]

As someone else has said the Sennelier D’Artigny Fixative is great, really THE BEST, I think and made especially for oil pastels. I would add that at $15 - 19 per can, it is probably a good idea to only use it on work that you intend on selling or showing or giving as a gift. For practice or “for fun” pieces, I would try some of the cheaper sprays or like Lindsay says, put some glassine in between when storing or filing in a sketchbook or something. If using ANY aerosol spray with propellants, be sure to take it outside to spray and if possible, leave the newly sprayed work outside until the fumes have dissipated. You don’t want to be breathing that stuff. It IS toxic. Spectra-Fix is an all natural pump spray product that I think gets pretty good reviews, but I don’t think it’s quite as good for oil pastels as the Sennelier, but it costs about $3 per bottle less.

[@beckyquick4025]

Thanks so much Lindsay, as others have replied. I too like the real time for learning. What pretty colors in this. I wanted to watch before trying. can't thank you enough, look forward to the next one.

[@bethcrane5780]

Very pretty and accessible. I've not used oil pastels before but have a package of them I bought for the grand kids. Going to give this a try. Totally prefer live and not timelapse. Thanks so much!

[@rubberartist]

I'm so excited by Pastel Month! This live class is exactly what I needed to try the sand paper and my Mungyo soft pastels. I have a few PanPastels, and a set of Blick hard pastels coming, but I bought a bunch of different oil pastels already! Thanks a bunch, Lindsay!!

[@chasingpaint0702]

And Pastel-ember(September) has begun. Start the trend.

[@turtleeye4]

I am using pastelseptember. 🙂

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Lindsay. The Sennelier oil pastel fixative is worth the money. I've used it. It is especially appreciated by me on cards I've done in oil pastel. They travel realy well and don't rub off on the inside of the envelope. 😁

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@glowycloey]

About a Fixative; SpectraFix, which I use (really like)with colored pencil, is highly recommended for pastels, too. Trick to it is to keep the nozzle cleaned right after. It's sticky stuff until dry. Real-time tutorials are my favorite. Thank you for this!

[@katpaints]

I love this! It reminds me of Mt St Helens from the west!

[@WendyColeArt]

I love your painting and love real time versions. I can't do them all but real time helps my brain to absorb knowledge. Speedy videos make me feel stressed. I've used the playback gear to slow those down but then the sound goes wonky. Anyhow, thanks so much for whatever you can manage.

[@berolinastrassmann]

PS2: 👍 for the real time version. I enjoyed watching you place the marks and blending, so I could follow along without stressing. Thanks a lot. It is a beautiful painting 🎨!

[@Blick_Art]

Sneaky color theory lesson there! "Color friends" is a much more accessible term than "adjacent colors", and it communicates exactly what is meant- nice! Regarding oil pastel fixatives, we see a few great recommendations in comments. A lot of artists will only use fixative with powdery media to keep dust off the underside of frame glass, but if you'll be handling artwork, it's a smart move. Another great video, and thanks again for mentioning us- does that mean we're "color friends"? ;-)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

We sure are!

[@nanschifris8734]

Great tutorial, Lindsay! Thanks for making Pastel Month a thing - I’m looking forward to getting more comfortable with my pastels.

[@PatriciaPageMosaicArtsCrafts]

Thanks Lindsay great tutorial sweet painting and the old socks tip just solved a "what shall I do with them" problem. 😀

[@geriprior751]

I prefer the full real time videos but enjoy all you post. Thanks for a great video Lindsay and will remember to use “colour friends.”

[@reneescott6249]

Love it! Real time for sure!! And the Sennelier fixative is great!!

[@yelsyels]

Oh Lindsay! I love this! I had a good clear out of what I have bought over the years! Some things hamper your creativity so remove them! When this tutorial came up! I was gutted! I thought when I cleared things that they went to the charity shop this product was one of them! BUT I came across a bag of mediums! that I am glad I didn't get rid of! Out of that (on top of the wardrobe bag) I still have a set of 24 oil pastels! They are by Inscribe! So I now have a medium which I thought I had de-stashed!. This now gives me licence to play as I thought they were long gone! I will use them to do this tutorial! and not be afraid to waste the medium as I didn't realise I still had it hidden in my stash! I am happy with my find! and will give this a go!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's meant to be!

[@kayclark4406]

Just what I needed. We are about to try oil pastels in my senior art class for the 1st time! Thank you so much and I love the real time videos best.

[@danielleb.7055]

Thanks for this pastel tutorial. My daughter and I will probably try this this upcoming weekend. Byw I am a person who loves the longer in depth tutorials there is always something to be learned. Have a wonderful day

[@chrishayes4195]

For blending, I cut white erasers into different shapes. They are a great alternative to using fingers, and you can use thin points for details.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great idea!

[@jennyb-aeternabitart7436]

Thanks for the tip!

[@lynnstapleton5459]

I loved this. I enjoy the real time videos more than the time lapsed. Someone gave me an art box that has some pastels in it, generics, not name brand. I’m going to give them a try, this looks like something I can do. Thanks, Lindsey.

[@nanettemccall8618]

I finally put aside time and did this one! I loved using the oil pastels but I used a different Paul Rubens set. Thank you for this video 😊

[@cassandragoth8486]

Thanks! This was my first time using oil Pastels, great fun :)

[@GrandmaMuggy]

Well I didn’t buy oil pastels, I just bought soft pastels, and my paper didn’t have much tooth, but your tutorial was awesome. My first try is a little basic but I had fun! Looking forward to the next one! Thanks Lindsay!

[@rhondita95]

Great start to pastel month!

[@destresswithyoga]

Love the real-time tutorial!!!!

[@anitadavidson1266]

Wonderful Lindsay! This was great to watch in real time. I always become a little bewildered trying to watch Timelapse. Thanks for posting! I’m doing a marathon catch up session on KZbin - I had no idea how long it’s been! 🫣

[@meesespieces1510]

I love the real time tutorials!! Thank you!

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Thank you so much. I needed to know more about oil pastels.

[@sondrabrown442]

Can’t wait to try it! Thanks Lindsay!

[@DeniseBrooks1955]

I can’t wait to try this! I learn more from your longer tutorials Lindsay.

[@Horsewoman-pt2ku]

Yes I like the real time videos best. Tfs

[@melissaaldosari8024]

This is so beautiful! I love the colors you chose! Thank you!

[@tracyroberson5188]

I love the real time. Thank so much for this. So much fun!

[@berolinastrassmann]

Oil pastels, yay!!! Live that this can be done with a small set. Thanks Lindsay!

[@axon130]

Can't wait to try this

[@MeanColleen]

Fingertips down, pun intended, I always prefer live tutorials. It is so much easier for me to navigate watching versus the sped up versions of a video. I think sped up versions actually add more time to me trying to watch in comparison to live. Thid does include stopping and starting multiple times. Hopefully this makes sense to someone.

[@LakerSlots]

Lovely work! I am so glad you did a tutorial of this one. I hope to try it this evening.

[@shereen9809]

Love the real time!

[@marytesta3003]

The colors are so pretty. The mountain is majestic. Thank you Lindsay. This looks very beginner friendly!

[@wandagutierrez5338]

Love this, whether time lapse or real doesn’t matter to me. Great work, thanks.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@phillipstroll7385]

Very tranquil peice. Nice indeed. Yes, love the real time tutorials!

[@MCoelloF]

Thanks for sharing your art. Love it !!

[@petrajimenez7323]

Beautiful painting ! Thank you .

[@FaerieDust]

Can't believe I missed this, I love oil pastels! It makes me so happy to see them get more of the spotlight on artsy social media, they're such a fun medium.

[@mwsdesigns]

Thank you, Lindsay. It's a really helpful tutorial and an easy way to begin!

[@cazhowe737]

Love the real time … thanks 😊

[@kathylarson7601]

Especially when working with a new medium, I appreciate the real time tutorials. Thx, Lindsay!

[@annelizevangraan7776]

This is beautiful and I will sure give it a try! Thanks for sharing

[@sonyaoart]

I like the real time tutorials. I bet it’ll take me more than 15 minutes though, we’ll see

[@tbm7187]

Ooo. And a new paper for Pastels?

[@turtleeye4]

I love the Canson xl sand grain!

[@gaila.c.602]

Hi Lindsay! I was so happy to see that you did an Oil Pastel. I was thinking, when you said "pastels" this month, that it was just be the dry chalky kind (which I won't touch). I do have some oil pastels but have only used them one time on a painting. So thanks for doing this! Hope to see more from you! 💕

[@jennyb-aeternabitart7436]

Hi Gail! 👋 I was also really pleased to hear Lindsey was planning to use oil pastels as well as the chalky ones. I'm planning on trying all the 'soft pastel' tutorials with my oil pastels. I tried one from a different channel the other day, and it worked quite well. The end result looked very similar, but I had to remember to use all the oil pastel knowledge I have already...

[@pokey3010]

BEautiful love this I will for sure try this. Thank you so much

[@FrankDudgeon]

Excellent! Learned a lot. Thank you

[@jennyb-aeternabitart7436]

Thanks for making Pasteltember a thing! 🙌 And I'm so glad to see so many others who like real-time videos. I like to play them in the background while I work. 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you!

[@Lklkpoi]

Real-time 💗

[@sweethomes674]

Gorgeous 😊Excellent explanations 🕊🎨🖼

[@CreativePhenomenonArt]

Thank you so much for this. The piece came out great 🤗👏

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

I really like these real-time tutorial. 😊 I don't have any of those colours in my Sennelier set so I'm going to have to get creative in more ways than one! 😁

[@turtleeye4]

I have just been using the Krylon workable fixative (2 coats) and it has been working really well for me.

[@linden211]

Thank you for the tutorial! I prefer the real time ones 😊

[@lynncooper1781]

So beautiful ❤️

[@SMCCRADY2]

Very pretty! I like all of your videos! Always learn something!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@mariatriesart8389]

I like real time tutorials.

[@hughrenetaylor5412]

I really enjoyed watching this. Tried using some Gelato's. Was ok but want to get a set of the oil pastels. Definitely am a fan of the real time tutorial's! Thanks for doing this! 😊👍

[@debidrybala4102]

I vote for Real Time!

[@cindyfromsydney7693]

Thank you for the name of those finger thingies! Not so much the oil, but chalk pastels freak me out with the feel of them…even watching you blend them makes me feel icky 😂❤

[@capbin146]

I am going to try a mountain twice once with oil and once chalky mungiyo as a which do I get on with best. Thanks for giving me an idea and encouragement. Love all you do but this live time is better as it gives me a good idea how long you took.

[@mlyon1476]

I've been using the Grumbacher spray fixative for oil and acrylic for years with no issues. A can usually lasts me a pretty long time. (I use Krylon for pencil, soft pastel, and charcoal.) But when I do pastels I typically just cover it with glassine and slip it into a portfolio.

[@Alice_in_artsupply_hoarderland]

I am a beginner and have mainly worked in my sketchbook. But the sticky mess bugged me, so I started using my heatgun or hairdryer for about 10 (+-) seconds on my paintings. It kind of melt the oil pastel and seals the painting when it cools down. For me that works great. Quick and easy. Thank you for a great video. I'm already waiting for the next one 😃

[@axon130]

Thanks for the tip!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Lindsay! Lovely painting! You are truly inspirational and so accomplished. I have enjoyed watching your videos and these real time are the most educational, I believe that editing is more necessary for videos that span longer paintings. I work quite slowly and so I am going to need to pause even this video! I know KZbin does not like videos longer than 40 minutes, I think an exception for streaming might be there but I seldom get recommended videos or streams longer than 30 minutes. I have even had to look up artists I am subscribed to for some of their longer videos! I believe that KZbin is just WRONG to do this if I am subscribed I want every video they create! I gave my oil sticks away when I decided to focus on soft pastels, I believe that this picture is one that can be created by using either soft or oil pastels. Perhaps during this month of the Pastel you can do a painting twice switching between soft and oils? You could in fact just redo this picture with soft sticks, companion pieces. Why not? Lovely painting and I am looking forward to more September Pastel Extravaganza!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Tomorrow's video is a soft pastel sunrise over a swamp. The colors are similar so you have options without being redundant:)

[@wendyslowski9058]

Hi Lindsay. You are inspiring me try oil pastels again. I have a 36 set of student grade Faber Castell. My question is do you not find a sanded paper hard on your fingertips when you blend? I'm looking forward to more of your lessons.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

This is not a true sanded paper so it is not hard at all.

[@eBookHoarder]

I want to be the first person to comment on the use of the term "mud". First of all, as a person of color it does not offend me. I have a hard time creating my skin tone on purpose and have never ended up with it by accident. Second, I have given this ambiguous color a name that I think is fitting. ZOMBIE SKIN TONE

[@TheTinkerersWife]

Perfect name!

[@PatriciaPageMosaicArtsCrafts]

Love it! ❤

[@1radruth]

That just seems like such a random unrelated to the tutorial comment.

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Oh Lindsay, gorgeous! You inspired me to try my Aurora borealis photo on my sand paper!! Can I put down my chalk pastels first, then these soft oil pastels??

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think they will gum up

[@jennyb-aeternabitart7436]

Jumping on this question because I've tried (both ways...) If you want to use both together, use the one you want for the base layer then use a workable fixative. The only way that I've found using both types of pastel, one on top of the other, in the same picture without workable fixative was with a light layer of pan pastel under the oil pastel. And (like Lindsey said) the oil pastels still picked up some of the chalkiness - but it was a small enough amount that I could just clean it off the pastel. Rather than the smudge-fest-central that I got with the other combinations. 😉

[@EsteeDarla]

Request Lol remember when we were kids those reusable cling vinyl paper dolls? Can you make a video on how to make those so I can make some for my grandkids? I would love to see that ware we can make our to our families and friends pets etc... Thank you so much Love your video and channel..

[@craftergin]

That painting turned out so pretty! I wish I liked working with pastels, but I just don't LOL! Whatcha gonna do?

[@turtleeye4]

pastelseptember 😁

[@juliebromfield1865]

😍

[@sierracarscadden6049]

I’m excited to try this. I’ve got the Paul Rubens set. I’ve only used them a few times but they seem nice. I’m on a super budget right now and want to use supplies I already have. Instead of the Canson Sand Grain paper, would you recommend cold pressed watercolor paper for the tooth?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That will work fine:)

[@wanderingstar5673]

This may be a dumb question, but does blending with your fingertips on the sanded paper irritate your fingertips? Love the video. Hoping I can make time to try this in the next few days.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Not in this paper. It's not real sand. Some can be rough tho.

[@veystone2580]

I started following you on these pastel tutorials. So much fun! Quick question... I have heard u said many times that the oil pastels from Korea are good, may I ask, which other brands, besides Mungyo are Korean? I googled it and also looked at the description on several online stores but can't find that info. And in Puerto Rico, the so called art stores, only sell Expressionist, Cray Pas Junior, and Pentel, and some brand I can't remember at Wallmart. But I can't find which other brands are Korean. Please let me know if you can. 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's the mungyo ones I like. Look for "soft oil pastel" in the name. Most made in korea pastels are mungyo. Cray pas are but they have different grades

[@user-ck6pj2yv9o]

which oil pastel have you used?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's linked in the description:)

[@maryannadriano3108]

Do I use the smooth side or the rough side of the paper?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Rough

[@JC-il4or]

Interesting, and I like the longer vids but when I see over 30 min, not so much. Excited that I got the Caran d'ache for "soft", and ordered the Craypas Expressionist (coming tomorrow) which are very inexpensive. Would love to see different solvents and their effect-so ordered Lavender spike oil (in a really small set)$$$$. Found some turps around the garage and stuff that probably has long beards...getting ready is almost as much fun as doing the work 😁😁😁 . Experimenting!! How would these oil pastels work on canvas? Too much flex? Thank you for showing this medium Lindsay 💜

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Oil pastels never really set so they are better on paper and framed under glass

[@priscillaknott8199]

Just wondering if the sand grain paper similar to sanded paper? Its so much more affordable. Have you tried it with colored pencils?

[@marytesta3003]

Even super fine sand paper would probably use up pencil quickly. Could try it!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I have used them with colored pencils. Here are some tutorials: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIa5e4GwaNubia8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXeThKikpK1rbsk It's not a true sanded paper. More of a gritty, pebbly texture. Not as rough as sandpaper.

[@berolinastrassmann]

PS: can you recommend any medium to blend oil pastels? I don't love using my finger but would gladly use a sponge or similar with a medium. Linseed oil, poppy oil? Mineral spirits perhaps? As you see, pretty clueless here?

[@turtleeye4]

If you don't want to use any medium, tortillions and blending stumps work very well with soft oil pastels. :)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You can use a solvent or oil but it will make it more transparent. Silicone tipped nail tools work great for blending. amzn.to/3TPfZBh

[@berolinastrassmann]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thanks. Will try that. Sounds good

[@berolinastrassmann]

@@turtleeye4 That is a great tip. I have some lying around. Will try!

[@jennyb-aeternabitart7436]

Linseed oil will brighten the colours - and using it with the oil pastel will mean they dry over time. I don't tend to use any solvent, but if I did it would likely be linseed oil. A lot of other artists seem to use odourless mineral spirits as their go-to, so it is definitely down to personal preference. Any solvent you can use for oil painting or for blending coloured pencil will also work for oil pastel. The oil pastel takes on the drying properties of the solvent, which can be quite handy. Also, if you choose to use a food/seed/nut oil, you need to be aware and think ahead about what you want to use the painting for and how you will preserve it. If you want to go down this route, it might be worth having a chat with a local art shop. Useful note: Like oil pastel, white mineral oil (baby oil) won't dry, and is quite useful for removing residue oil pastel after you scrape it off if you need to remove it for some reason. As Lindsey said, any solvent will thin the oil pastel a bit (or a lot, obviously, depending on how much you use. 😉). So the opacity of the oil pastel will go down (which can be a problem with some of the cheaper options).

[@nico-leighsmith3385]

What paper are you using?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Canson xl sand grain dry mixed media paper

[@nico-leighsmith3385]

Thank u!

[@crystalgillis9296]

When you say sand canson, do you mean the colour or is it a sanded paper?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's how the paper comes

[@crystalgillis9296]

I'm still confused. I can't figure out if you are talking about a paper that's the colour of sand, or if it's an actual sanded paper like a sanded pastel paper, or something else.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

its the texture@@crystalgillis9296

[@CL-we8tn]

Here's a stupid question, I'm not an artist at all, can't draw a stick man, just like watching artists paint etc, my question, what's the difference between oil pastels and wax crayons?

[@paintblush6884]

Wax crayons are harder and more brittle than oil pastels. They are cheaper but tend to be less vibrant. Like oil pastels they are quick and easy to use

[@CL-we8tn]

@@paintblush6884 thank you for your response.

[@marshawoods7493]

Real time, Yes/Timelapse, No. I like to relax when watching tutorials, not get hyper lol. To each his own, tho.

[@catslade333]

Mungyo is pronounced Moon-yo

[@sunshinejenny5536]

Can you please talk slower? PLEASE?!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You van click the gear and adjust the playback speed.

[@destresswithyoga]

LOVE this!!!! Time to take out my oil pastels. I’m so excited!