Embarking on a captivating journey into the enchanting realm of artistic expression is an exhilarating endeavor. Among the cherished tools cherished by countless creative souls, oil pastels hold a special place, infusing their masterpieces with an unmatched vitality and tactility. Within the following discourse, we shall navigate through a selection of the finest oil pastels presently obtainable in the market, all while delving into crucial inquiries pertaining to this remarkable medium.
Oil Pastels: An Art Medium to Explore
The first invention of oil pastels dates back to the early 20th century, when Kanae Yamamoto, a Japanese artist, desired a crayon that could draw with more precision than traditional materials. In collaboration with Sakura Color Products Corporation, he invented Cray-Pas, setting the stage for modern oil pastels.
The beauty of oil pastels lies in their intense colors, blendability, and the creamy texture they leave on the canvas.
Features of Good Oil Pastels
An excellent oil pastel possesses the following features:
- Intensity of Color: High-quality oil pastels are dense with pigments, providing strong, vibrant colors;
- Blendability: Good oil pastels should blend smoothly, producing a wide range of hues and tonal effects;
- Consistency and Texture: The texture of the oil pastel should be buttery and creamy, allowing for easy layering and application.
Top Brands in Oil Pastels
Here are some of the best oil pastel brands available on the market:
- Sennelier: Renowned as a premier fine art brand, Sennelier offers artist-grade oil pastels that are smooth and highly pigmented. They are also extremely lightfast, ensuring the longevity of your artwork;
- Holbein: Holbein’s Artist series of oil pastels are superb in their intensity of color and durability. They have a fantastic range of colors, offering over 225 individual shades;
- Mungyo Gallery: Mungyo Gallery Soft Oil Pastels are popular for their high pigment content and excellent blendability. These pastels are also very reasonably priced, making them accessible to both professionals and beginners alike;
- Van Gogh: Van Gogh Oil Pastels are notable for their vivid colors and easy application. They offer a decent range of colors at a moderate price.
Oil Pastels for Beginners
If you are a novice to the world of oil pastels, you might be seeking a set that is affordable but still delivers on quality. The Pentel Arts Oil Pastels could be an excellent choice. They are budget-friendly, yet provide bright, vivid colors with a smooth texture. Another good choice for beginners is the Cray-Pas Junior Artist Oil Pastels. This set is not only affordable, but it is also easy to use and offers an impressive range of colors.
Soft Pastels vs Oil Pastels: The Difference
While both soft and oil pastels offer vibrant colors and unique textures, they differ in a few key ways:
- Composition: Soft pastels are made from pure pigment mixed with a small amount of binder, while oil pastels combine pigments with non-drying oil and wax;
- Blendability: Oil pastels blend smoothly due to the oil content, creating a painting-like texture. Soft pastels, on the other hand, have a more chalky texture, but can also be blended;
- Fixatives: Soft pastels require a fixative to prevent smudging, whereas oil pastels are smudge-resistant due to their oil and wax content.
The Price-Quality Spectrum
When comparing cheap and expensive oil pastels, the difference usually lies in the quality of pigments, consistency, and lightfastness. Expensive oil pastels tend to have higher pigment concentrations, yielding brighter colors and better blendability. They are also more resistant to the fading effects of light, ensuring the longevity of your artwork. Cheaper alternatives may provide less vibrancy and may fade or change color over time. However, they can still be a good choice for beginners or for those seeking to practice techniques.
Conclusion
Whether you are a seasoned artist or a beginner stepping into the world of color, oil pastels are an exciting medium to explore. The brand you choose ultimately depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. Regardless, every brand offers a unique set of characteristics that can elevate your artistry to new heights. So, pick up those vibrant sticks of color and start creating!
FAQS
While the “best” brand can be subjective and depends on an artist’s personal preferences, Sennelier is often revered as one of the top brands for oil pastels due to their high pigment concentration, blendability, and durability.
Pentel Arts Oil Pastels and Cray-Pas Junior Artist Oil Pastels are excellent choices for beginners due to their affordability, ease of use, and quality.
Yes, there is a difference. Soft pastels are made from pure pigment mixed with a small amount of binder, producing a chalky texture. Oil pastels, on the other hand, combine pigments with non-drying oil and wax, resulting in a creamy texture and painting-like effect.
Expensive oil pastels typically have higher pigment concentrations, better blendability, and are more resistant to the fading effects of light. Cheap oil pastels may not offer the same vibrancy and longevity, but can still be suitable for beginners or practice work.
