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I have recently expanded my repertoire of artistic mediums to include oil pastels. After decades of creating highly detailed artwork with coloured pencils and acrylics, I wanted to provide an additional medium that allows for greater flexibility and expressiveness, offering a complement to my traditional emphasis on realism. While my passion remains rooted in capturing realism, my oil pastel paintings reflect this focus, albeit with a different level of intricacy compared to my pencil drawings and acrylic paintings.  What are oil pastels?Oil pastels are a fascinating art medium that consist of vibrant pigments, non-drying oils, and a wax binding agent. Their smooth and creamy texture makes them effortless to apply and blend, allowing for seamless transitions between colours. What sets them apart from traditional pastels is their ability to remain malleable and never fully dry, allowing the flexibility to apply various techniques for blending, shaping, and creating intricate details. Haze the black Labrador Retriever with his squeaky raspberry dog toyOil pastels are suitable for a wide range of subjects, offering an expressive interpretation that provides vibrancy and a gentle delineation of form and texture, reminiscent of the allure of an oil painting. The following comparison of a black Labrador Retriever emphasises the unique features of my oil pastel paintings in relation to the physical subject depicted in the photograph, enabling you to explore these characteristics firsthand.  The History of the Oil PastelOil pastels were first developed in the early 1920s by the Japanese company Sakura. Initially designed for educational purposes, these pastels quickly gained popularity for their vibrant colours and ease of use. In 1947, the renowned artist Pablo Picasso collaborated with Henri Sennelier, a French art supply manufacturer, to create a professional-grade oil pastel. Sennelier’s oil pastels, introduced in 1949, featured superior wax viscosity, texture, and pigment quality, making them ideal for professional artists. Other notable artists, such as Henri Goetz, also embraced oil pastels, delving into their distinctive characteristics and expressive capabilities. In contemporary practice, oil pastels are highly regarded for their flexibility and capacity to yield vibrant, durable artworks. Storm the yellow Labrador Retriever in a field of wheat In the world of photography, there are certain images that appear incredibly well-suited for artistic representation. This specific photograph beautifully captured our late Labrador, Storm, in a field of wheat. The reference image was taken during a leisurely walk with our two other departed dogs, Haze and Casper. The backdrop of wheat was of perfect height and its colour spectrum harmonised flawlessly with Storm's distinctive features, resulting in an exceptionally balanced composition. Storm was always a natural in front of the camera, and for me, this photo is a poignant portrayal of his happy spirit.  Our late dogs Storm, Haze and Casper. (L-R) The products I useI employ a combination of Sennelier and Neopastel oil pastels, complemented by blending tools and accessories, which enable me to incorporate fine details that are unachievable with oil pastels alone. The Sennelier oil pastels' soft and creamy texture is ideal for applying base layers and impasto techniques. In contrast, the slightly harder Caran d'Ache Neopastels are perfect for creating fine lines and delicate details. Occasionally, I also use coloured pencils to add the tiniest details, like whiskers and fine hairs.  Each artwork I produce presents a unique conclusion, with varying degrees of expressiveness inherent to them. This exemplifies the advantages of using oil pastels. The objective is not merely to achieve a replica; rather, it is to provide a customised outcome that reflects the character and vibrancy of both the subject and its environment, complemented by a touch of creative interpretation.  To discover more about my oil pastel artwork, you can explore my oil pastel gallery, learn about commissioning a unique oil pastel painting, or reach out to me directly to discuss your ideas.
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I recently finished an oil pastel painting of the famous 'Sycamore Gap' tree in Northumberland. This tree has been an iconic landmark in the landscape since the 19th century, as stated by the National Trust, the organisation that owns the land where it stands.  What subject could be more fitting for an oil pastel painting than the iconic Sycamore Tree beside Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland National Park? The highly abrasive Fisher400 paper enhances the application's effectiveness, creating subtle peaks of texture. The creamy texture of the oil pastels ensures the pigment spreads smoothly and quickly, culminating in a stunning impasto effect. In this painting, my intention is to apply pastels in a deliberately loose and patchy manner, offering a unique interpretation of the subject. This method gives the artwork a distinct quality that sets it apart from my other pieces created with acrylics and coloured pencils. With oil pastels, I find I can express myself more freely, while still pursuing a degree of realism that presents a challenge, which is my primary goal in any artwork I complete.  As is the case with any form of art, the ultimate judgment of the finish of a piece lies with the viewer. Personally, oil pastels, a relatively recent addition to my artistic repertoire, rank among my preferred mediums due to their versatile manipulability and capacity for expressiveness, especially when working on larger canvases. The drawback of oil pastel artwork is its tendency to attract debris, necessitating a protective cover during non-working periods. While they mimic the polished look of oil paintings, oil pastel works should invariably be displayed behind glass when framed.  Hadrian's Wall A little background on the tree and surrounding areaThe Sycamore Gap Tree, also known as the Robin Hood Tree, is a popular attraction near Crag Lough in Northumberland, England. It stands in a dramatic dip, created by glacial meltwater, next to Hadrian's Wall and is situated within the landscape, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and rising walls. The tree gained its alternative name from its appearance in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and the music video for Bryan Adams 'Everything I do, I do it for you' a song from the film's soundtrack. In 2016, it won the England Tree of the Year award. The National Trust owns the wall and the land around the tree, a favourite spot for tourists and photographers. It is visible from the nearby Military Road and is considered one of the most photographed trees in the country, possibly the most photographed point, even in all of Northumberland National Park. On the 28th of September 2023, the Sycamore Tree, was intentionally felled in an act of vandalism. For those keen on exploring oil pastels, I've authored a blog titled 'An Introduction to Oil Pastels' on Ken Bromley's art store website. It offers a detailed overview, along with useful hints and tips for mastering this lesser-known medium. Additionally, my extensive article about Sennelier oil pastels on the Step by Step Art website serves as a resource for artists wishing to delve deeper into these professional quality pastels.
To learn more about commissioning an oil pastel portrait with me, please explore my oil pastel gallery or visit my commissions page to book or request a quote. Alternatively, feel free to contact me directly.
I enjoy using oil pastels to create portraits in addition to coloured pencils and acrylics, and I find it to be one of the most versatile mediums available. When it comes to creating beautiful and unique works of art, oil pastels offer an unmatched finish that can be applied to any subject with ease. One of my latest portraits is of our late black Labrador Haze. In loving memory of Haze - 03.05.23 When creating my oil pastel paintings, I use professional pastel brands such as Sennelier and Caran d'Ache. One of the most significant advantages of using Sennelier and other soft pastel brands is their superior coverage and pigmentation. These pastels offer a rich and vibrant color that makes each stroke stand out and come to life. On the other hand, harder pastels such as Neopastel enable me to produce fine lines, which is essential when creating intricate details and textures in my portraits.
When it comes time to store or frame my oil pastel portraits, I always take great care to ensure that they are protected. Since oil pastels never dry, it is highly recommended to store them in a secure location until they are framed. When framing, I highly recommend using glass to prevent debris such as hair and dust particles from damaging the painting's surface. Improper removal of debris can damage the painting's surface, but using glass can prevent this from happening.
It is important that a spacer is present between the painting and glass. This is done to prevent them from touching and adhering to each other, which can cause irreversible damage to the artwork. The spacer is a thin strip that adheres to the glass surface, creating a gap between it and the glass. When viewed from a close distance and at an angle, the spacer can be seen, but it is designed to be discreet and does not detract from the artwork itself. The material used for this oil pastel painting is known as acrylic glass. This particular product boasts exceptional durability and a reduced risk of breakage.
Overall, oil pastels are an incredibly versatile and beautiful medium that can create stunning works of art. Should you wish to inquire about ordering an oil pastel portrait, please get in touch. Feel free to share this post via your social media or email someone who may find this article of interest. 22nd November 2015 " Hi Karen, I have just been looking at some of your work on your website and I am looking for someone to do a portrait of my dog for a Christmas present. What kind of prices do you charge please? I will attach some pictures as an idea of which one I would choose. Thank you :) " A lady contacted me about a pet portrait of her Jack Russell, Tia, intended as a Christmas present for her mum. The lady, named Justine, sent three large digital photos of Tia. While any of the three could have served as the primary reference, Justine chose the third image.
Among the photographs provided by the commissioner, there is often one that stands out. As an artist, I possess an eye for the ideal pose that I believe would result in the finest portrait. However, the customer's choice is paramount. While I can provide guidance, I always encourage the customer to select their favorite photo of their pet, the one that they feel best captures their pet's personality. This portrait will adorn their wall long after their cherished pet has passed, making the choice of reference photo crucial. My selections are based solely on composition, lighting and photo quality, which, while important, do not necessarily contribute to capturing the pet's character.
The bright blue mosaic background was too distracting and lacked any connection or significance to the family, leading to the decision to opt for a portrait without a background. If a background was required, the options are endless. Here, a cherished photo of BuBu the Boxer dog, which was captured indoors, was seamlessly merged with a photo of a nearby park, where he and his family spent countless moments together. This unique addition enriches the final artwork with personal significance and meaning. Archival qualities of my artworkJustine had a question that she thought may be trivial, yet it is a very important point to mention here. " Do the pencil pictures keep? They don't fade or anything do they? " I've spent numerous years sourcing the finest quality, archival, and lightfast art materials to ensure the durability of my portraits. The Caran d'Ache Luminance pencils I use in my colored pencil drawings are lightfast, ensuring they don't fade like regular pencils. The colours stay vivid for over a century, and the use of archival paper additionally prolongs the life of the portraits. I always provide an after care sheet with my portraits, which offers advice regarding framing. When you take it to a framer, the glass you choose with the frame can help to add extra protection to the portrait too. This can extend the lifespan of your portrait even more. Feel free to browse my other Pet Portraits, or if you're considering commissioning a custom portrait of your dog or another pet, please review the information on my Commissions page.
Explore the various mediums available for your custom portrait by clicking on the images. If you have any questions, feel free to Get In Touch.
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