Oil Pastel Paintings

For more info select any of the oil pastel paintings below

This section is dedicated to oil pastel paintings by Sheila Alden.

Winter Island Lighthouse oil pastel category image — Winter Island Lighthouse

Surprise! Oil pastel painting of a vase full of colorful tulips. — Surprise!

The Orange Cat, oil pastel painting of an orange Maine Coon cat, by artist Sheila Alden. — The Orange Cat

Heavy Weather, marine oil pastel painting — Heavy Weather

Since Sheila loves to draw and paint, oil pastels proved to be an excellent medium for freedom of expressing both of these loves. At the time Alden was looking for an medium that would lend itself to more spontaneity than oil painting. As well as one that was more transportable. The solution was oil pastels which can be used in a way that is a combination of painting and drawing.

Origins Of Oil Pastels

After World War I, two Japanese teachers Rinzo Satake and Shuku Sasaki, invented oil pastels as a medium for Japanese school children to use. In 1947 at the request of Pablo Picasso, Henri Sennelier, a French art product manufacturer developed a fine arts version of oil pastels. Picasso was looking for a medium that he could use to paint on any type of material. Not just paper and canvas, but wood, glass, metal, and whatever came to mind. Furthermore Picasso wanted the medium to be easy to transport. With this in mind Sennelier produced his version of oil pastels.

Oil Pastels Similar To Oil Paints

Oil pastels are similar to oil paints. They can be built up into heavy layers which result in an impasto effect. Notably the are a number of ways to blend them with many interesting outcomes. Another key attribute is that depending on the surface they are applied to, the results can vary dramatically. Furthermore they can be mixed with mineral spirits, turpentine, or linseed oil to create a more painterly look.

However a compelling attribute of oil pastels is that there is no need for solvents. Consequently they are ideal for traveling artists who want the vibrant colors of oil paints without the risks associated with solvents. Important to realize solvents may be illegal to transport. Professional grade oil pastels are made from inert oils, waxes, the same pure pigments as oil paint. and can be used on paper without damaging it, are archival. High quality oil pastels will not fade over time. Since they never completely dry and arguably there is no proper fixative to use on them. Therefore it is best to protect oil pastel paintings under glazing. To assure oil pastels do not touch the surface of the glazing material, the artwork must be set back with thick matting or frame spacers.