Tips for Drawing Symmetrical Things & More! (Favorite Supplies!)

This year I am making a point to use my favorite supplies more. Today I am featuring Pan Pastels & Derwent lightfast pencils.
You can find a 2+ hour long real-time tutorial up in Critique Club: lindsayweirich...
Supplies (Affiliate links used)
*The prices on Amazon and Blick are very similar however when buying PanPastels and expensive pencils I would recommend purchasing from Blick because they do a better job packaging delicate products so they don't break and they are authorized art supply dealers.
Pan Pastels on Blick: shrsl.com/4eaej *There are many curated sets that might suit you better but I prefer/recommend the painting set of 20 because it gives you the greatest versatility for mixing: shrsl.com/4eaf3 Also available on Amazon: amzn.to/3SlgF11
Derwent Lightfast Pencils on Blick: shrsl.com/4eael or Amazon: amzn.to/4bhlLUH
Derwent Lightfast Pencils used: Deep Rose, Cherry Red, Derwent Red, Autumn Red, Scarlet, Dark Orange, Chestnut,Amber Gold, Yellow Ochre, Yellow, Sun Yellow, Foliage, Mid Ultramarine, Granite, and Black
Pastelmat paper 9"x12" light gray at Blick: shrsl.com/4eaer or Amazon: amzn.to/3UovNNV
Kneaded eraser: amzn.to/3HBZSSL
Prismacolor pencil in white and black for final details, on Blick: shrsl.com/4dzdn or Amazon amzn.to/3w2wBhe
This is the electric pencil sharpener I have, it is great for my colored pencils, no breakage: amzn.to/3vVrShv
Reference photo: unsplash.com/p...
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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

[@sambabird7]

I love watching you “play” with the high quality media that you love! It was amazing watching that chalice suddenly become a shiny silver. You’re so good at reflective surfaces! Your grape colors are gorgeous ,too. 👍🏼😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much!

[@lesleyegbert4807]

I used to roll my eyes at the idea of pan pastels, but this video has helped me see why more experienced artists might really like them. They seem great for backgrounds and base layers that are vibrant and quick to apply. Plus the pan format and blending tools make it a lot less messy than soft pastels, which get all over one's hands. The relative lack of mess would allow a busy artist to walk way from the work when necessary without spreading colorful dust throughout their living space. Dang it, time to add another medium to the list!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I like them.i want to use them more!

[@marytesta3003]

Thank you for a great tip. Thank you for doing pan pastels. I bought the 20 set a few years ago.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@geriprior751]

All I can say is “Wow”! Saw this first on instagram and knew this was going to be a great video. So beautiful and also loved the tip on creating a symmetrical object. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much!!

[@flychk1229]

❤ You just made my day with they symmetrical tip! I knew that once upon a time and had totally forgotten! Thanks Lindsay!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@berolinastrassmann]

Thanks! The tips.on symmetrical drawing, using tracing paper, use of tools were so useful -und frugal! I am "shopping from my stash" this year, so I will definitely get out my soft pastels more. I often have no idea what to paint, so this was a good inspiration. Thanks again!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Wonderful!

[@nancyloomis3046]

Glad you're using your Pan Pastels and creating some beautiful art! I don't think PP have ever had the love they deserve. But I do see a little uptick by artists on YT using them more lately than before. I have a decent stash of maybe 12-15 and never made good use of them. I'm making a conscious effort to more fully use the supplies I have this year or else send them on their way by gifting or selling. As you know, the longer liquid color supplies sit, like paints and inks or other things that dry out, the less salable they become...I do want to get rid of some supplies that I'm never really gonna use. At least it's good that pans of (artist quality) watercolor seem to last forever and I figure the Pan Pastels will last a very long time too! 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

They should.

[@juliawhite7938]

Lindsey I always learn something new everytime I watch one of your videos. I am looking forward to your year of using your favorites.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yay! Thank you!

[@annenglish2935]

Thanks for the great drawing tip for symmetrical items!!! Awesome!!!🎉 I've never seen pan pastels!!! This is so beautiful, Lindsay!!! It looks so real with the reflections! Thank you for sharing!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much 😀

[@daphnen.7182]

I love your favorite supplies theme this year. This looks dreamy! I look forward to giving it a try, thank you!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Have fun!

[@lisathaviu1154]

I think most people have problems with drawing objects to be symmetrical. The tracing paper trick is really great advice.

[@art-alchemy]

Absolutely 💯 My first time was with oil paint and thank goodness because it was easy to tweak it into shape!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@ryanhis6]

commenting for engagement to help you out, although I don't have much of a comment besides I love how this came together :)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@flychk1229]

Now that I’ve been able to watch this whole video I have say…this is a stunning painting!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks so much!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Lindsay, I enjoyed this video and watching you use these pans is lovely! I will say you make it look easier than it is! I say Thanks to YOU for letting us know the best way to try these out and getting the 20 painting set to save our money since you have already done the "leg work" in figuring out the best way to start! I enjoyed you giving so many tips to work in pastels from the surface to protecting your picture as you work! Thank You!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much!

[@ChantelleArts]

fantastic information, thank you for sharing ☺☺☺

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@eschmitt5672]

Thanks for sharing the tracing paper tip. I appreciate the variety in your videos. Pan Pastel is very enjoyable to work. So glad you provided this video. The finished painting is really beautiful.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@berolinastrassmann]

Thank you! So many frugal tips and a wonderful painting! Live those shiny reflections and the volume of the grapes. I also need to get my soft pastels out more, as I intend to go "shopping from my stash" this year.

[@craftykat]

That looks so amazing Lindsay. Now even more supplies have been added to my wishlist, lol. Thanks also for the great tips on drawing symmetrically!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@ElizabethMayoleth]

Great tips as usual, Lindsay, and I like your piece much more than the photo, too!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks so much!

[@sharonling-LetsArtToday]

Great tip for symmetrical!!! Love how your picture came out ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@pokey3010]

Wow!!! This looks so real and just amazing.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks so much 😊

[@jennw6809]

Ooh what a great tip about the symmetry! Love seeing you "use the good stuff." I bought my first 3 panpastels today. I think I may buy the 20 painting set, but wanted to try them first -- so I bought a tint, a shade, and Payne's Grey since those aren't in that set. I had been thinking Pastelmat was made with some kind of pulverized cork, because they used to say something about the "cork grain surface." But there is no cork -- like you said, it's cellulose fibers and it's merely reminiscent of the texture of cork. Today I learned!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Me too!

[@louisegrinham2315]

Absolutely beautiful Lindsay. Love this piece ❤😊xxxxx

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@greggtransky9080]

Wonderful, Lindsay! I always wanted to see those pan pastels used. Beautiful work! Thank you for sharing all of your expertise. Sondra Borrie

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@128titanic]

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

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@tammysunderman4734]

Stunning. I love watching you, doing your art. You're an excellent teacher. Thank you so much

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much!

[@kathyakadragonflysmiles301]

Stunning !

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you!

[@patti3d]

Thank you Lindsey. I have been wanting to use my set. This gives me some incentive to paint this!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Go for it!

[@brendawalsh8254]

So beautiful 😍

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! 😊

[@GrandmaMuggy]

What a great video. Lots of tips thanks!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@leannebraden8711]

This is very pretty!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@lynnephelps2370]

I have the four sets of twenty but rarely use them so I'm so happy this is your year of favorites. It good perfectly with my no-buy/low-buy 2024. Helping me to use the items I've already invested in is far more helpful than the next bright, shiny thing!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Happy to help!

[@claychick100]

This is stunningly beautiful! I want to try this one! Thanks for all you do for us.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@lynnee2786]

Learn something new every day. I love pastel painting, i have chalk and pencil pastels, but never tried the pan pastels, and seeing this video makes me think more about getting myself a set. As well i learned about the symetrical way you draw the glass. Questions, for the sponge pastels, i noticed you changed the tips often, and was wondering can you wash them when your done your day? How long do the sponges on the "palette knife" last? I do face painting, and have powdered face paints and reminds me of them, apply with sponges "lollipop sponges" as well as eyeshadow cosmetic sponges. Thank you for the tutorial and showing how the pan pastels work and your suggestions and recommendations. Merci

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I had a bunch on the knives that were dried out. A fresh sponge can last a few weeks but they start to go hard once you use them. You will get the best value if you use them often. You can wash them but they are not super long lasting like the sponges are. Oddly makeup applicators last very well. Luckily the sponge covers are not to expensive when you get the bulk pack at blick.

[@machelleshappyhobbies4977]

I've often thought about trying pastels, all the different types, but I'm afraid I would do a whole piece and it would easily rub off after all that work. Your piece here is beautiful. They look like they blend really well. Love your channel. Have a great day.😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@daysgobysofast]

This is amazing ❤❤❤

[@susettebradley5028]

This is a game changer I need tracing paper

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yay!

[@ginabadeaux9319]

so awsmoe i dont have the large pan pastels but i have two small sets i stenciled with them and had a total blast with them ,thanks

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Nice!

[@marilynshannon3648]

This came out so pretty! I love you work.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much!

[@LakerSlots]

Hi Lindsay. Could you use the Canson XL Sand grain paper to do this with Pan Pastels?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think in this case a regular pastel or drawing paper would be better.

[@sonyaoart]

I really can't wait to see this come together. It looks so good! Will have to prep dinner first though...

[@thefrugalcrafter]

What are you making? My boy is coming tonight over to laundry, so I'm making fresh dough pizza and salad (and chips too!)

[@sonyaoart]

@@thefrugalcrafter yum, pizza! I made my not very traditional verison of ramen, which were also yum if I say so myself. Love this one, it's so luminous.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

@@sonyaoart sounds great!

[@StellaSkia]

Beautiful

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jefferythum9445]

Wow that is really beutiful. It would probably make Good clouds.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It would!

[@JoAnneSmith-di8ok]

I enjoyed this tutorial. Can you use the square, rod shaped dry pastels in place of pan pastels? I am talking about the old traditional pastels we remember from shildhood. Thank you.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes, apply them on their sides, you may been to break them small and then blend with your finger or sponge if needed.

[@Paintsplash4]

Lovely drawing. I love my Pan Pastel pure color full set and my few tints, and was considering getting some more pan pastels -- but I am not a huge fan of darks made with black. Do you think the shades and extra dark pan pastels are a little too drab (or discordant, to use a term you used) because of the addition of black? Do you use the shades and extra darks much? My only source for buying is online vendors, which limits my ability to see the colors. Of course, if I just buy a few, I'll wish I'd bought a whole set. If I buy a whole set, I'll have regrets. I can't please me, ha. A few people here have swatched them, but the lighting isn't very good which adds to the drabness. So I don't know. Do you have pans from the shades and extra darks that you find particularly useful?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I don't think they are discordant, but I don't use them much either. The ex dark shades I use the least.

[@solovjud]

May I ask a question? I don't have the Derwent lightfast pencils, but I notice they are oil based. Is this correct, & would other such pencils, ie Posca or Brutfunner be as useful? Oh, maybe not any good for lightfast; oh well, not likely to be selling, lol! Love this, thank you, & please do more with the pan pastels - the want monster got me & now I'm floundering!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You can use any colored pencils you like for this.

[@KevieG]

So beautiful, I could never use Pan Pastels! Mine would look like a 2 year old did it!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You can do it! I just used it for bold color Herr, details are from pencils.

[@KevieG]

@@thefrugalcrafter You are such a positive role model! Thanks 😊

[@lynnee2786]

Love how your pastel paining turned out. I have another question, when you are done with your pastel art work, do you use fixatif after or no, if yes which fixatif do you recommend? Merci

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I don't use fixative on sanded, velour or pastelmat paper because the paper grabs the media well. I use krylon workable fixative if needed because I always need to add my highlights back in after spraying. It's affordable too and you can get it at most art and craft stores.

[@obrown2450]

This is so lovely! Out of curiosity, is there a reason you use regular colored pencils instead of pastel pencils?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes, I wanted the waxy luminosity of grapes so I went with colored pencils. I sometimes fine my values compressed when using pastel pencils. Especially in the red/purple family. Colored pencil gives me more rich and complex darks.

[@ellenm7806]

Is it possible the pan pastel sponge applicators could last longer if they're kept in a plastic bag, maybe in between sessions?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

They might

[@mariaflor9279]

Lindoooo.

[@tribalstyle138]

WOW. print material.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you:)