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Oil Sticks - Can You Use Them in Oil Paintings?

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Self Portrait - Pastel Pencils on Grey Mi Tientes Paper - 10th July 2021

Bobbie Matulja

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I like your still life, Alan - but it is very different from your usual (wonderful) style of working.  I have an abstract in my head, so I'll see if I can get the same effect using soft pastels with oil pastel highlights applied over a layer of fixative.  If that doesn't work, I'll get a couple of oil sticks and try them with oil paint - although I'm not the most patient artist in the world, so I'll struggle with waiting a couple of weeks for the painted layer to become at least touch dry first. 

Martin Shaw

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You can make art out of anything!  For detail you can mold the paint on the picture itself.  I use oil pastels, not quite as soft perhaps, I don’t know, but they soften in your hand too. You don’t need detail all the time. Tightening your work up leads to even more ‘tightening up’ if you are not careful. You can spray oil pastels with a fixative as they never dry. You can use both on top of oil paint. Don’t see a point mind.  My first oil pastel work below

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by Martin Shaw

Self Portrait - Pastel Pencils on Grey Mi Tientes Paper - 10th July 2021

Bobbie Matulja

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Hi Martin.  I like your portrait! Although I haven't used my oil pastels for a while, I have a decent set and I really enjoy them for subjects that don't require too much detail.  I don't think I can see a point in using oil pastels or sticks over oil paint, because you would have to let it dry.  I have used oil pastels over acrylic with good results, although the work would have to be framed under glass.

Martin Shaw

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Hi Martin.  I like your portrait! Although I haven't used my oil pastels for a while, I have a decent set and I really enjoy them for subjects that don't require too much detail.  I don't think I can see a point in using oil pastels or sticks over oil paint, because you would have to let it dry.  I have used oil pastels over acrylic with good results, although the work would have to be framed under glass.
Bobbie Matulja on 14/07/2024 11:15:11
Absolutely, if you start your picture knowing this, then they are a good system to use. If you want to try something new, I wholeheartedly would recommend them. 

Martin Shaw

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Second picture, all soft Oil pastel, actually the softest you can purchase, Sennelier, turn gooey

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by Martin Shaw

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