A Complete Guide to Using DOMS Oil Pastels for Stunning Drawings

Oil pastels are a versatile and vibrant medium that can bring your drawings to life with rich colors and smooth blending. If you're new to oil pastels or looking to improve your technique, DOMS Oil Pastels offer the perfect balance of quality and affordability. These pastels are highly pigmented, smooth, and easy to use, making them an excellent choice for beginners and experienced artists alike.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of using DOMS Oil Pastels, covering tips, techniques, and best practices to help you create beautiful drawings.

What Are Oil Pastels?

Oil pastels are made from a blend of pigment, wax, and non-drying oil, which gives them their creamy texture and vibrant colors. Unlike traditional pastels, oil pastels don’t create dust, making them easier to work with and ideal for layering and blending. The oil content makes them highly blendable, allowing for smooth transitions between colors, as well as bold, textured effects.

Why Choose DOMS Oil Pastels?

DOMS Oil Pastels are a top choice for artists for several reasons:

- Highly Pigmented: DOMS pastels offer rich, vivid colors that stand out on paper, making your artwork pop.

- Smooth Texture: These pastels glide easily on paper, allowing for seamless blending and layering.

- Affordable Quality: DOMS products strike a great balance between quality and price, making them perfect for artists at all levels.

Now, let’s dive into how to get the most out of your DOMS Oil Pastels.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you start drawing, make sure you have the following materials:

- DOMS Oil Pastels Set: A variety of colors to work with.

- Paper: Choose a heavy paper like pastel paper or thick drawing paper to handle the layers of oil pastel. A textured paper can add depth to your drawing.

- Blending Tools: Cotton swabs, blending stumps, or even your fingers work well for blending oil pastels.

- Fixative Spray (Optional): To protect your finished artwork, use a fixative spray to prevent smudging.

Getting Started: Basic Techniques

If you're new to oil pastels, it's essential to start with the basics. Here are some foundational techniques to try when using DOMS Oil Pastels:

1. Layering Colors

One of the best aspects of oil pastels is their ability to layer colors. Start with lighter colors and gradually build up layers of darker colors. This technique allows you to create depth and dimension in your drawings. 

- Tip: Always layer light to dark. This will keep your colors clean and vibrant. Once a dark color is applied, it’s harder to layer lighter colors over it.

2. Blending

Oil pastels are known for their smooth blending capabilities. You can blend directly with your fingers, but using a cotton swab or blending stump can help create a more polished look. Gently rub the pastel to smooth out the transitions between colors.

- Tip: Experiment with blending by using different tools. For example, using your finger will create a soft blend, while a blending stump will allow for more precision.

3. Scumbling

Scumbling is a technique where you apply small, circular strokes with the oil pastel to create texture and build up color. This technique is ideal for areas where you want a textured, grainy effect, such as foliage or clouds.

- Tip: Use a lighter pressure when scumbling to allow the colors underneath to show through, giving your drawing more depth.

4. Sgraffito (Scraping)

Sgraffito is a fun technique where you scratch off the top layer of pastel to reveal the colors underneath. Start by laying down a base layer of color and then apply a thick layer of a different color on top. Use a toothpick, palette knife, or any pointed tool to scratch off the top layer, revealing the color beneath.

- Tip: This technique works great for creating textures like fur, hair, or tree bark.

5. Color Mixing

While oil pastels don’t mix as fluidly as paints, you can still blend colors directly on the paper. Start by applying two or more colors next to each other, then use a blending tool or your fingers to mix them. This creates new hues and adds richness to your drawing.

- Tip: When mixing colors, start with a small area to see how the colors interact. Some combinations might create unexpected results!

Step-by-Step Drawing with DOMS Oil Pastels

Now that you’re familiar with some basic techniques, let’s apply them to a simple landscape drawing. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a vibrant sunset landscape using DOMS Oil Pastels:

Step 1: Sketch the Basic Outline

Start by lightly sketching the outline of your landscape with a pencil. For this drawing, include elements like a horizon line, mountains, or trees. Keep the sketch simple and use it as a guide for where your colors will go.

Step 2: Apply the Background Colors

For the sky, choose bright, warm colors like yellow, orange, and red. Start by applying yellow at the bottom near the horizon, then layer orange and red as you move upward. Blend the colors using a cotton swab or your finger to create a smooth gradient.

- Tip: Add a touch of blue or purple at the top of the sky for contrast, blending it into the red.

Step 3: Add the Foreground Elements

Once your sky is complete, work on the landscape’s foreground. Use darker colors like brown, green, or black for mountains or trees. Apply light layers of color and gradually build up the darkness. For the trees or grass, try using the scumbling technique to create texture.

- Tip: Use the sgraffito technique to scratch in details like branches or blades of grass.

Step 4: Blend and Refine

Go over any areas that need more blending or detail. If you want to soften the sky or clouds, blend the colors further. Add finishing touches like highlights or shadows by layering light and dark colors.

- Tip: To make the landscape more dynamic, add highlights with a white pastel on the water or light areas of the sky.

Step 5: Seal Your Artwork (Optional)

Once you’ve completed your drawing, you may want to use a fixative spray to protect it from smudging. Hold the spray can at least 12 inches away from the paper and apply an even coat.

Creative Ideas and Projects

Now that you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore endless creative possibilities with DOMS Oil Pastels. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next project:

- Abstract Art: Experiment with bold colors and shapes to create abstract compositions. Use thick layers and strong contrasts to make your work stand out.

- Portraits: Try creating expressive portraits using a combination of layering, blending, and texture. Oil pastels work well for capturing the softness of skin tones.

- Still Life: Set up a simple still life with objects like fruits or flowers and practice creating depth and shading with oil pastels.

DOMS Oil Pastels offer a wide range of possibilities for both beginners and experienced artists. Their vibrant colors and smooth texture make them perfect for experimenting with various techniques, from blending to layering. With a bit of practice and creativity, you can create stunning, eye-catching drawings using these versatile pastels.

So, grab your set of DOMS Oil Pastels, let your imagination flow, and start creating beautiful art today!