Difference Between Pastels and Oil Pastels

Pastels vs Oil Pastels
 

The difference between pastels and oils pastels is observable in a number of areas such as texture, number of colors, compatibility, etc. Remember pastel colors to which you were introduced in Kindergarten? That was the first time you were given liberty to use your imagination and creativity and put that on paper. These are specially formulated color pencils that allow a person a dust free way of putting ideas on papers and the colors are also more vibrant. These pastels are ideal for anyone who wants intense colors in his drawings. One cannot just mix them; they have the ability to be wiped off and dissolve in water. As they dry out instantly, an artist does not need to wait for them to dry. There are both soft, as well as, hard pastels, and finally there are oil pastels. Normally it is the word pastel that is used instead of soft and hard pastels and in between the two it is soft pastels that are used most of the time. There are differences between these pastels and oil pastels that will be highlighted in this article.

What are Pastels?

Pastels are a very high concentration of pigment that is held together using the least amount of gum binder. Pastel sticks have a far greater proportion of pigment than binders that produce more and vibrant colors. But the fact that binder is less also means one encounters some dust while drawing. It is possible to smudge and blend colors with these soft pastels. After a drawing is complete, it is necessary to use a fixative to bind it together so that there is no smudging.

Pastels, or soft pastels leave a lot of dust on paper and it is like drawing with a chalk. These colors smudge easily. This is convenient for you if you wish to blend two colors, but if smudging takes place accidentally, your whole effort can go to waste.

What are Oil Pastels?

Oil pastels, on the other hand, consist of pigment and non-drying oil with some binder in the form of wax. The result, therefore, is much less chalk or powder on the surface of the drawing. Since oil pastels never fully dry, transporting your work of art safely can be a problem. It is also more difficult to smudge and blend two oil pastels, and they have a buttery consistency with bright colors.

In sharp contrast to the smudging nature of pastels are oil pastels that stick to the paper and do not rub off or smudge easily. Oil pastels, being thicker in composition (there are more binders), go inside the page and give a solid look. Oil pastels are suitable for a good artist as they are less forgiving; they do not allow the liberty of being rubbed off the paper, if the artist commits a mistake. This is precisely why novices and beginners make more use of pastels rather than oil pastels.

What is the difference between Pastels and Oil Pastels?

• Composition of Pastels and Oil Pastels:

• Pastels are a very high concentration of pigment that is held together using the least amount of gum binder.

• Oil pastels consist of pigment and non-drying oil with some binder in the form of wax.

• Texture:

Main difference between pastels and oil pastels lies in their texture.

• Pastels give a chalky feel.

• Oil pastels have a waxy consistency.

• Cleanliness:

• Pastels are not that clean as they rub off and crumble.

• Oil pastels are cleaner as they do not rub off and resist crumbling.

• Intensity of Colors:

• Oil pastels give more intense colors than pastels.

• Blending of Colors:

• Pastels can be blended easily.

• Blending is not possible with oil pastels.

• Compatibility with Other Pastels:

• Pastels are compatible with other pastel types such as pastel stick and hard pastels.

• Oil pastels are not compatible with other pastel types.

• Beginners and Professionals:

• Pastels are easier for beginners as oil pastels are unforgiving and cannot be rubbed off after a mistake.

• Oil pastels are better for those with practice.

• Number of Colors:

• Pastels come with a large number of colors. Some manufacturers even offer 500 colors.

• Oil pastels come with a less number of colors. They have above 80 colors.

Images Courtesy:

1. Pastels by Tony Hisgett (CC BY 2.0)
2. Oil pastels via Pixabay (Public Domain)