Soft Pastels vs. Oil Pastels: A Complete Guide for Artists

by Rima Z

Pastels are a beloved medium among artists due to their vibrant colours and expressive potential. However, when choosing between soft pastels and oil pastels, artists often wonder which one is better suited for their needs. In this article, we will explore the key differences, history, pros and cons, and techniques for both types of pastels. We will also discuss varnishing, suitable mediums, and popular brands for beginners and professionals.

Key Differences Between Soft Pastels and Oil Pastels

Although both are called "pastels," soft pastels and oil pastels differ significantly in composition and application:

• Soft Pastels: Made from powdered pigment and a small amount of binder (gum arabic or methylcellulose), they have a chalky texture and blend easily.

• Oil Pastels: Contain pigment mixed with wax and oil, giving them a creamy texture that does not smudge as easily as soft pastels.

  
  

Comparison Table: Soft Pastels vs. Oil Pastels

Feature	Soft Pastels	Oil Pastels
Texture	Chalky, powdery	Creamy, waxy
Blending	Easy to blend	Harder to blend
Layering	Builds up in layers with light pressure application	Works best with the colour-blocking technique
Smudging	Smudges easily	Less smudging
Surfaces	Works best on sand-textured paper	Works on paper, canvas, wood, and more
Fixative Needed?	Not necessarily	Not necessarily

History of Soft Pastels and Oil Pastels

Soft Pastels

Soft pastels have been around since the Renaissance. Artists like Edgar Degas and Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin helped popularise pastels in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Oil Pastels

Oil pastels were invented in 1925 by Sakura (a Japanese company) as a more versatile pastel medium. The most famous oil pastels, Sennelier oil pastels, were developed in collaboration with Pablo Picasso in the 1940s.

Pros and Cons of Soft Pastels and Oil Pastels

Soft Pastels

Pros:

• Highly blendable

• Vibrant colours

• Can create subtle shading and smooth transitions

Cons:

• Fragile and prone to breaking

• Messy due to dust

• Requires investment in special types of paper

• It may require some fixative to prevent smudging

Oil Pastels

Pros:

• Does not create dust

• Works on multiple surfaces

• Rich, creamy texture allows bold strokes

Cons:

• Less blendable than soft pastels

• Can become greasy

• Harder to achieve fine details

Can You Achieve a Painterly Effect with Soft and Oil Pastels?

Yes! Artists can create a painterly look using specific techniques:

• Soft pastels: 

  Layering: Can be layered on top of each other (or glazed) with light pressure to allow different colours to show through on the finish layer.

  Blending: Blending can be done with fingers or blending tools. Many artists use soft sponges to blend soft pastels; however, silicone-sharpers may also help to achieve fine details. Some artists also blend the base layer of their soft pastel work with 70% isopropyl alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol) to create a painterly effect, then layer it with dry pastels.

  Paper: Sand-textured papers work best with soft pastels. Velour or velvet finished papers (such as Hahnemuhle Velour or Canson Mi Teintes Velvet) can lift up your work to a different level due to the effect provided by the surface.

• Oil pastels: 

  Layering: Colour blocking and applying pastel thickly can help with oil pastel layering. Some artists also apply scraping techniques with a craft knife or achieve impasto looks by applying chunks of oil pastel with a palette knife.

  Blending: Oil pastels can be blended by applying them thickly or smudging them using fingers, or silicone-sharper tool. They can also be blended using solvents like turpentine or mineral spirits, or by using oil paint mediums such as linseed oil, etc.

What Surfaces Work Best for Soft Pastels and Oil Pastels?

Soft Pastels:

• Textured pastel paper

• Sanded paper (like UArt or Pastelmat)

• Velour or velvet finished paper (such as Hahnemuhle Velour or Canson Mi Teintes Velvet)

• Cold-pressed watercolour paper (for mixed media techniques)

Oil Pastels:

• Regular paper or sketchbooks (I found my oil pastels work best on Clairefontaine Kraft paper/pad)

• Canvas

• Wood panels

• Mixed media paper

Techniques for Soft Pastels and Oil Pastels

Soft Pastel Techniques:

• Layering for depth

• Smudging and blending with fingers or other blending tools (soft sponges, silicone-sharper)

• Hatching and cross-hatching for texture, applied with light pressure

Oil Pastel Techniques:

• Scumbling: Light strokes to create texture

• Sgraffito: Scratching through layers to reveal underlying colours

• Solvent blending: Using mineral spirits to soften strokes

How to Seal and Varnish Pastel Artwork

Soft Pastels:

• Only use a fixative spray if your paper cannot hold your pastel work together.

• Avoid over-spraying, as fixative can darken colours.

• The best fixative to use is Sennelier Latour. This fixative will not darken the colours of your soft pastel painting.

• Some professional artists choose not to seal their paintings with fixative; instead, they frame the paintings with UV glass, allowing a significant gap between the painting and the glass (eg use thick mountboard) to avoid the pastels rubbing onto the glass.

• Avoid framing using perspex or acrylic glass (thermo-plastic glass), as they tend to attract the dust from soft pastels like a magnet, resulting in a dirty appearance after a while.

Oil Pastels:

• Traditional varnishes do not work well with oil pastels due to the oil content in the medium.

• Use a specialised oil pastel fixative like Sennelier D'Artigny Fixative for Oil Pastels.

• Some artists use cold wax medium for sealing.

Tips: Give a good amount of time for your work to completely dry before sealing your oil pastel painting. My personal recommendation would be 6 months more or less.

Best Soft Pastels and Oil Pastels for Artists

Professional-Grade Soft Pastels:

• Sennelier Soft Pastels – High pigment concentration, creamy texture, value for money

• Unison Colour Soft Pastels – Handmade, rich colour range, loved by the majority of pastelists

• Schmincke Soft Pastels – Premium softness and blendability

Best Soft Pastels for Beginners and Hobbyists:

• Faber-Castell Soft Pastels – Affordable and great for practice

• Rembrandt Soft Pastels – Mid-range quality, smooth texture

• Mungyo Soft Pastels – Budget-friendly and good for beginners

Professional-Grade Oil Pastels:

• Sennelier Oil Pastels – Soft, highly pigmented, blendable

• Caran d’Ache Neopastel – High-end, great color range

Best Oil Pastels for Beginners and Hobbyists:

• Pentel Oil Pastels – Affordable and beginner-friendly

• Mungyo Gallery Oil Pastels – Soft texture, easy to blend

• Paul Ruben Haiya – High-quality pastels, very similar feel to the Sennelier oil pastels, but for a fraction of the price.

Conclusion

Both soft pastels and oil pastels offer unique benefits depending on the artist's style and technique. If you enjoy blending and layering, soft pastels may be the best choice. If you prefer a bold, painterly look with less dust, oil pastels are a great option.

Choosing the right pastels, surfaces, and fixatives will enhance your experience and allow you to create stunning artwork. Whether you're a beginner or a professional, exploring both types of pastels can open new creative possibilities!

Here are some visual examples and notable pieces of pastel artwork by renowned artists,

A woman combing her hair - Edward Degas (ca. 1888-1890)

Edgar Degas – A woman combing her hair (ca. 1888-1890), soft pastels, source https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436170

Mother and Child - Mary Cassatt (1914)

Mary Cassatt – Mother and Child (1914), soft pastels, source https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/10396

To help illustrate the differences between oil pastels and soft pastels, here are some informative YouTube videos:

1. Oil Pastels vs Soft Pastels - Showdown - This video provides a comprehensive comparison between oil pastels and soft pastels, highlighting their unique characteristics and applications.

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2. Oil Pastels vs Soft Pastels. What's the difference? A recent video delves into the distinctions between oil and soft pastels, offering insights into their usage and effects.

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These videos should provide a clear visual understanding of how oil pastels and soft pastels differ in terms of texture, application, and artistic outcomes.