This Took 3 hours!?! Fun in the Flow Oil Pastel!

I friends! I have really been digging oil pastels lately! Today I did a painting. Today I am working on an 11"x14" cradled birch panel using a variety of oil pastels. Supply list and top pics below.
Supplies (affiliate liniks used)
Davinci Pro Birch panel 11"x14": (single) amzn.to/3vCvkgH
Multi-pack cuts the per panel price in half: amzn.to/3U8o0ne
Or try this cheaper brand in a 5 pack: amzn.to/48Jb3oz *clip the coupon!
*Blick has panels too: shrsl.com/4dzdv
Oil Pastels-You will want some hard, medium and very soft to layer.
Hard: Pentel: Cheapest on Blick: shrsl.com/4dzd9 also on amazon: amzn.to/3O87VKn
Medium Kulox: amzn.to/3SrMuqd or Mungyo Gallery Soft oil pastel: (blick) shrsl.com/4dzdg (amazon) amzn.to/3u1tZ2I
Super soft:
Paul Rubens Haiya: amzn.to/47P8QGG
Sennelier (blick) shrsl.com/4dzdl or amazon: amzn.to/48INewX
Prismacolor pencils:
Blick: shrsl.com/4dzdn
Amazon: amzn.to/48zhGcV
Silicone nail tools: amzn.to/48UcuQG
Liquitex clear gesso for prepping surface: shrsl.com/4dlvd or amzn.to/48Gwir6
Workable fixative for sealing between layers: amzn.to/490TwYt or shrsl.com/4dze5
Final Fixative: shrsl.com/4dm19 or amzn.to/3O9Dsf6
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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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*This post may contain affiliate links
#thefrugalcrafter #watercolor #art

[@cheenythegreat]

I would die for a 30 days to better oil pastel painting class on teachable! My favorite medium. Beautiful painting Lindsay!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you!

[@yashny]

So beautiful! This makes me want to pick up oil pastels again

[@128titanic]

Hi, Lindsay. Thank you for your video.🎉.❤.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@cynthiazick3125]

Wow that's a great spread of pastels!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's excessive, so I better get painting!

[@daphnen.7182]

Whoa, that's quite a collection of pastels! They look so gorgeous all laid out on your table 😍 Thanks for all the wonderful tips. Love the bold colors.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks so much 😊

[@reginaperkins8255]

Just love the color combo and the retro feel of this.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@tara-lee]

I have some oil pastels that I haven't tried yet, but you've inspired me. Seeing all those beautiful colors spread out on your table is pure eye candy.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Go for it!

[@capbin146]

You're the glass Queen I have never got close and I'm always thinking - that really looks like glass.❤ I wrote this inthe pickled chilli but the video changed by the time I clicked.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@geriprior751]

What a painting! Love how you often brighten up paintings and make them more interesting. I’ve never watched an oil pastel video. Learned a lot. Thanks for the video Lindsay.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

thanks!

[@akschauer]

I love this so much! My favorite pastels are the Caran d'Ache Neopastels - their colors just have a level of vibrancy that my other sets don't. Also, I know someone mentioned it to you, probably on the Avocados, but Royal Talens makes an oil pastel varnish. I would be curious to see your opinion on it and a video on how you use it, if you add it to your oil pastel varnish experiments.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'll look for it!

[@Linda-qq5mg]

Thanks for using oil pastels. They are so much fun to use! I definitely respect your views on brands and your processes! This is a great painting! Thanks again Lindsay.🤗

[@tammysunderman4734]

Beautiful

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you

[@bekahhrannaa7520]

I will forever love pentel oil pastels because I've been using them since high school (and they never smelled like gasoline lol) 😊 you executed this drawing beautifully 😍💕

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Hopeful the gas smell was a temporary problem. I think it was in pandemic time, so they might have had to use a different oil but people said there is not a smell with a recent ones so I am so glad!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Lindsay, I am working with soft pastels and I do enjoy them much more than oil pastel sticks! I will mention the Insta-Var varnish just in case somebody else has used it with any oil products? I am just trying to gather as much information on the product as I can! You have created a wonderful painting and video for sharing, thank you.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks, you always have good recommendations for products! I did 3 coats of sennelier oil pastel fixative and then I did a coat of gloss medium and no smearing! I'm plan on adding a harder actual varnish tomorrow. I'll update everyone in Sat chat!

[@aldebaranaldana6105]

Yo! •3• Oil pastels were invented in Japan in the first half of the 20th century as a more versatile crayon for school children during some reforms to the education system, they want to bring color and art to children, as before that they just work with strokes of India ink to learn calligraphy, that's why a lot of pastel manufacturers are japanese Picasso brought them to Europe after the war and with Sennelier they made the first professional range, for the reasons you mentioned in the video

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for the history lesson! I love Japanese art innovation!

[@user-wk1mw9nj3i76]

I have so many good memories of oil pastels, too. I’m glad you’re experimenting with ways to protect them, because I’ve had pieces become damaged or mess up other works. I don’t know the solution! Enjoy your coffee and cherry pie! Oh, and very nice painting. 👏🏻🎉

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes! Thank you!

[@riverAmazonNZ]

The eraser idea is fantastic! I’m going to do that. I have some plasticy erasers sitting around from using them to carve stamps. I can cut them into the shapes I want. Great idea!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great idea for the scraps of rubber!

[@jennw6809]

The Hayia weren't available for some time, but the 48 set is back on Amazon now. Hopefully they are able to bring the larger sets back too. And yeah, Sennelier invented them for Picasso by request!

[@susansacco7583]

Love oil pastels so much! I found an old tv tray and have my oil pastels on them next to my favorite chair. I throw a drop cloth on the floor and go! It’s too cold to work at my desk this time of year. Your retro percolator is great!💕 Twin peaks parties were fun with coffee and donuts 😂 Thanks Lindsay 💕 Looking forward to your fixative experiments. Namaste 🙏

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I want to have a twin peaks party now!

[@susansacco7583]

Me too! They were fun!💕🌸

[@ChantelleArts]

This looks incredible ☺☺☺

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you!

[@jennbutterfly4448]

Thanks for this video. I have the Mungyo oil pastels but haven't used them yet. Now I know how to start. I'll get the rubbing alcohol spray and paper towel for clean up and the silicone nail tools to help with blending. 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Enjoy!

[@AndreaPollackHarutunian]

Great video🎉 I love oil pastels and getting dirty ! I keep baby wipes nearby to clean my hands...

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great tip!

[@wanderingstar5673]

Fun !! I got tickled at your “one dose” tubes of Gorilla Glue on the podcast. One application just wouldn’t come to you when needed 😂 of course when that happens to me it’s a “ Senior Moment”🤣🤣

[@FannaTurano]

Boy, absolutely STUNNING still life! Wow! The yellow & turquoise is so impacting, just like in your still life of the pitcher, bowl, & peaches you did last year with the Intense pencils. I did that one too, & it's such a striking composition. QUESTION: do we need soft, medium & hard oil pastels to do this project? My head's spinning with the mention of all your supplies that I don't know what I can do with what I have. Do they state their hardness/softness on the pkgs? Regardless, this is in your Top 5 finest pieces! You're the bravest artist I know, Lindsay.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks fanna, if you have them it is helpful to have acset of soft medium and hard but if not use what you have. A medium will be the most versatile if you have none.

[@berolinastrassmann]

Yay! Oil pastels! Top tip 👍🏻 about sketching on scrap paper first and use acrylics as background. Yep, Pentel OP smells horrible, gasoline is about right. I need to take them out for a spin. I painted this photo from the challenge with gouache. Thanks for this, I mights just go for it with oil pastels now, adding some fruit on the side. I was not a fan of the coffee cup either.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for the tips!

[@mishayx5258]

What a beautiful painting/drawing. The turquoisey yellow and hints or red really pop. Never used oil pastels but they look super fun. Only used oil paints once i wouldn't mind giving it another try now i could get more tips how to use them wirh youtube lol back when i tested out i wasnt into art as much at that time so was clueless with technique or even vaules to make 3D effect lol

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much 😀 I do have a few oil painting tutorials on here if you like:)

[@maryannprzybycien2013]

I have the Mungyo water soluble oil pastels, and I love them! I also love the Lyra Aquarelle wax crayons. They're like the Neocolor II.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for sharing!! I agree!

[@saracampana79]

I tried a lot of different art stuff but nothing is satisfying for me as oil pastels, I don't know why but when I paint with them at the end I'm always happy for the final result of my piece while with other materials like colored pencils or acrylic or markers I find always that the outcome is not as good as I would like.. I don't know why this happens in my mind! 😂😂 for me the best oil pastels Are C. d'ache for their consistency, not so soft as sennelier or Paul Rubens or quelox! Love your videos as always, thank you ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I haven't tried those, but i would like to! I think I need to do a "paint to spend" challenge and make myself paint 10 oil pastel paintings in order to buy a set 😆

[@art-alchemy]

Hi Lindsay, lovely painting. Just to add to your conversation about Picasso. Sennelier did create the oil pastels because of him..actually it was Picasso that gave Sennelier the idea of a product he could travel with and paint. To those who do not know it was France who flew Picasso paintings to NY to save them from the Nazis and insured Picasso himself so that no German or Japan Army could lay a hand on him at all, he was a Spanish Jew. I have been wanting to test oil pastels for oil paintings so now I know I can use them. Also I got a small set of pastels with the Sennelier sample pastel paper and ohh my..the pastel paper is sooo nice. I love using oil pastels and like you..dont use them often. Maria

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I just experimented with using gloss medium over 3 layers of sennelier fixative and I will add a final brush on varnish on that. No smearing and it makes the colors luscious!

[@annettefournier9655]

Wow, oil pastels galore! I would be ashamed to show up to the party.😅

[@thefrugalcrafter]

This is not normal lol!

[@entropycop]

Will absolutely let you know! Blick was also keen to know if this is a persistent problem and requested that I follow up with them

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thats fabulous! I love Blick!

[@brendamorgado562]

Hi on the transcript the microphone didn’t pick up the real words for what ever your next favorite oil pastel first one I figure out it was Sennelier but what is cck 😂 couldn’t figure that one out . Also on your learning membership do you have any on oil pastel landscapes? Thank you for all your wonderful info on these free videos.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I have at least 1, you can look at the contents list on the Critique club sales page and see what tutorials I've added over the years:)

[@JoAnneSmith-di8ok]

I did not give any thought to using my fingers to blend oil pastels. I always used the oil pastels like crayons. This is something I will try. I have water soluable pastels. Something I bought from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. Some off brand. I enjoy them more as watercolors than anything. I will color them on the paper and then activate them with the water also. I love learning many different ways to use my supplies. Thank you.

[@bekahhrannaa7520]

I'm in love with using my water soluble ones too! I have the Mungyo ones. 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@moodyandtheartist]

I’ve heard “fat over lean” so many times, and I thought I understood it, but that was a really good explanation. I thought people just used Pentels etc for the first layer because they were cheaper and (dare I say it) not professional. Thank you for clarifying!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Hard to soft is the pastel equivalent to fat over lean. I'm so glad it makes sence. It makes layering so easy!

[@terrilyon6825]

Great video, I really enjoyed it and love the piece. Have you any other recommendations for coloured pencils to use alongside oil pastels? Prismacolor pencils are prohibitively expensive for us here in the UK and difficult to get hold of. I wondered about Derwent coloursoft maybe? Polychromos and chromaflow don't do the job.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

My recommendation would be chromaflow. Maybe Arrtx? Ill have to test it out. The silicone tip tool can really smooth edges too. Or a blending stump with a bit of paint thinner. Try arrtx if you have them but I wouldn't buy them for this not knowing. I'll try and try to leave a post on it. Remind me if I forget:) my email is [e-mail]

[@terrilyon6825]

@@thefrugalcrafter I did get the chromaflow to work a little so maybe I just need to persevere a bit more. I'm not too bold in my approach when I'm not sure if something will work, lol. Thanks so much 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

@terrilyon6825 a gritty surface will help too so a sanded paper or surface prepped with liquatex clear gesso, that stuff is awesome!

[@terrilyon6825]

@@thefrugalcrafter okay I shall try that - I tried them on paper rather than pastel mat or anything grittier, so maybe that was my stumbling block. Thanks so much 😊👍

[@Zazou555]

Wow! Oil pastels! My favourite! I don’t think you mentioned Arrtx oil pastels, what do you think of those ? I have the Hyia set of 60 ! 72? I don’t remember those are a little more oily than the Arrtx ? Btw I just adore the way handling and playing with oil pastels fill my senses !❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The arrtx is medium soft like the first Paul rubens or mungyo in my opinion.

[@Zazou555]

@@thefrugalcrafter I have the macaron Paul Reuben’s and I would agree with that.. I also love the colour selection in the macaron one… :)

[@witchdidi]

Talens has an oil pastel varnish that works but I don’t know if it’s available in the US.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks, I am currently experimenting. I did 3 layers of sennelier fixative, then a layer of gloss medium and I will follow up with a varnish of some sort when it's dry. So far so good!

[@mjpete27]

@@thefrugalcrafterhullo Lindsay, I have just purchased some Insta-Var varnish from Jerry’s Artarama and they are claiming that you can apply the varnish with just touch dry oil paints! It allows the oil paints to cure through the varnish! I am just asking around to get more feedback on this new amazing product!

[@williammcneill2753]

Lyndsay, I hope it is appropriate to mention another artist who exclusively works with oil pastels. His name, Wunemo, is also his YT channel. He uses Mungyo almost exclusively and has a loose style. He has multiple free full length tutorial that I have completed and turned out quite well.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll look him up:) Edited to add I searched "wunemo oil pastel" and couldn't find it. Is the channel name different?

[@williammcneill2753]

@@thefrugalcrafter I look in YT search box for 'Wunemo' and it is first in results. However, here is the exact name of his YT channel, '우네모 Wunemo'

[@DeviousOni]

@@thefrugalcrafter it's youtube.com/@Wunemo0510?si=9OnebAco1eX_cl79 😀

[@williammcneill2753]

@@thefrugalcrafter@Wunemo0510 Sorry, I am not YT literate.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

thank you! It wasn't coming up in search:)@@williammcneill2753

[@laurenvanderhorst9896]

would crayon work as a first layer?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Theoretically, but I'd use an art crayon like neocolor1 instead of a kids crayon because kids crayons are not as pigmented and more waxy.

[@laurenvanderhorst9896]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thank you.

[@gewurztramina]

I love your videos and I love this painting. But that thing is not called a “percolator”. It’s a mocha pot, italian coffeemaker or stovetop coffee pot

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Oh sorry!

[@mjpete27]

A coffee pot can be called a percolator when the basket of grounds are flooded with hot water that shoots up a tube from the bottom to the top, it perks up to flood the grounds. My parents had an electric percolator and they ran it all day long!

[@veystone2580]

PENTEL I have bought them several times from different sellers online, different onsite art stores, over a period of time, months and years in between, trying to see if that horrid gas smell was a fluke, but no... they smell like that, all of them, no matter where and when I bought them.... last time I bought them from Blick 2 months ago, and again.... that horrible smell, that doesnt go away. I have left them open for weeks and nothing helps... once again I threw them away.... wont try again.... I love their opacity better than the Cray Pas, and that was why I kept trying and trying.... is a shame... havent found something similar. 😢

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Oh no! Sorry to hear that. I wonder if they have different factories making them because some people report smell and some don't.

[@veystone2580]

@@thefrugalcrafter so I read in this thread!!!!.. Therefore, once again, I ordered them from Blick today. Im gonna have them within the week.... I'll make sure I give you an update.... What made me decide to buy them again, was a comment I read here, of someone saying she bought them from Blick, and she contacted them because of the smell, and they were sending her a replacement... so I figured, if this come with that smell, I too will call them, for a replacement or a refund, depending on what they offer... but now I feel safer I wont be wasting my money again.... and who knows, if they smell and I conplain, maybe the will check the replament they'd send. I wonder what's gonna happen with the replament Blick is sending the woman that commented here. Hope they dont stink!!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I want to know too, I want another set!@@veystone2580

[@veystone2580]

@@thefrugalcrafter as soon as I get them I will let you know, but Im looking for the woman's comment to asked her if she's so kind as to let us know her outcome too. But girl.... u have so many comments, I havent found it yet.... 😅 but I will.... 😅

[@capbin146]

Pentel bought 21mar amazon UK and they stink of oil but at 6.95 and lindsay likes. I bought them as base and got the paul rubens as the top layer. Next week I am off for my birthday and plan to try something new and use my watercolours.

[@brendawalsh8254]

Every time I watch you paint an oil pastel painting I want to start. I did buy one set you recommended from Amazon a while back but still haven’t been brave enough to start painting

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You can do it!

[@entropycop]

Sadly my Pentel oil pastels I purchased about 4 months past reek of petroleum

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Oh no! May I ask where you bought them? A couple of viewers said their recent purchases were stink free.

[@entropycop]

@@thefrugalcrafter From Amazon 😑

[@entropycop]

Correction! Purchased from Blick -- and it was last summer lol. Do you think it's worth reaching out to them? I didn't think to at the time as I was under the impression the ghastly smell was a feature not a bug.

[@entropycop]

Just spoke with Blick; they're sending a replacement 🤓

[@thefrugalcrafter]

@@entropycop nice!

[@thethriftyapprentice]

I purchased the pental about 3 months ago. I didn’t experience a funny smell at all. This was another wonderful painting!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Wonderful! I was hoping that issue was gone!

[@lesleyegbert4807]

Where did you buy your Pentels? I'm worried there's still a lot of the old, stinky stock on the shelves. If I buy them where you did, I'll hopefully be OK.

[@thethriftyapprentice]

@@lesleyegbert4807 I ordered my from Amazon back in October of last year. It was from the actual Pental store on Amazon if that helps any.

[@thethriftyapprentice]

@@lesleyegbert4807 Hello. I purchased mine off of Amazon. They were super affordable, and came same day. I purchased them from the actual Pental store on Amazon.

[@thethriftyapprentice]

@@lesleyegbert4807 This is the 3rd time I have replied. For some reason it keeps getting taken down. I ordered my set of Pental from the Pental store on Amazon. I hope this helps.

[@MrsBeasleys1111]

Thank you. I i love to hear how you so freely give tips and your joy of art. It’s inspiring ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome

[@jennw6809]

I saw this piece behind you in your Sat Chat and loved it immediately! Wow girl you have a lot of oil pastels! Do you have more drawers of them than soft? I'm loving the Liquitex clear gesso for soft pastels; it works great over a watercolor underpainting! A kneaded eraser might work better for erasing (not sure if it'll work over the acrylic, but it's worth a try).

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes I have 9 drawers of soft and 10 of oil (actually tho I have a set of soft pastels in a French Easel drawer too so it probably even (and way too excessive!)

[@sonyaoart]

Love this, it’s so cheerful!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@Harkart59]

i JUST GOT SOME PENTEL PASTELS last week. I love them and no smell whatsoever.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That's awesome!

[@starshinesoldier]

I wish you were my art teacher way back when in college. I took 2 oil painting classes, 1 in city college and 1 at my transfer and no one ever mentioned using oil pastels for the sketch. I had the hardest time with the pencil smudging. I think I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating. I have learned more from you and your videos than I ever did in any of my art classes.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks so much!

[@wendimacpherson1829]

Lindsay, I love this one. I think it's the colours.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Oh thank you!

[@linden211]

I love using oil pastels! It makes me feel like a kid again. Your painting looks beautiful! We are on season 4 of our X Files binge watching and Twin Peaks will be next lol

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great show!

[@sweethomes674]

Excellent techniques 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!