Blend Chalk
Pastels
Chalk pastels are a versatile medium that can look classical or modern, and can create a variety of colors and textures. When you know the art of blending pastels, you can add texture and dimension, and create new areas of color.
Instructions
1. Pick a pastel blending tool. You can use anything from a cotton swab to a stump. It is best to experiment with many different types of tools to see which ones you like best.
2. Apply the dark colors first. This is important when working with pastel because contaminating dark areas with lighter colors can leave your palette murky and dulled.
3. Rub the pastel-coated surface lightly with your blending tool. Many artists prefer to use a circular motion as they find it blends the color more evenly.
4. Try the scrambling technique. To do this, use a pattern of repeating lines to overlay existing tones. When used correctly, this gives the artwork a textured feel.
5. Separate warm and cool colors on the canvas. Layering a warm over a cool or vice-versa can create an unintentional muddy effect in your art that is hard to reverse. If you must layer a cool color on top of a warm color, use a fixative to keep the layers separated.
