Pastel Techniques for Kids and Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

Quick Answer

To start using pastels, choose a simple subject, practice basic strokes, and layer colors from light to dark. Use your fingers or a tissue to blend, and always keep a paper towel handy to clean your hands. This guide walks you through easy techniques that make pastels fun and accessible for kids and beginners.

Pastels are a vibrant and forgiving medium that appeals to kids and beginners because they require no drying time and can be easily corrected. With just a few sticks and paper, you can create soft, colorful artwork that feels immediate and expressive. Unlike paints, pastels let you draw and color simultaneously, making them a great introduction to art.

In this guide, you'll learn basic pastel techniques, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to choose the right paper and supplies. We'll also highlight a couple of products that pair well with pastel drawing, such as sketchbooks that work beautifully with pastels.

Choosing Your Pastels and Paper

Pastels come in different forms: soft, hard, oil, and pencil. For kids and beginners, soft pastels are often the best choice because they are easy to blend and produce bright colors. However, they can be messy and may crumble easily. Hard pastels are less messy but less blendable. Oil pastels are creamier and don't smudge as much, but they are harder to blend with fingers. Pastel pencils offer precision but are more advanced.

The paper you use matters. Pastels need a surface with 'tooth'—a slight texture that grabs the pigment. Regular printer paper is too smooth and won't hold much pastel. Look for pastel paper, which comes in various colors and textures. A mid-tone paper (like gray, tan, or blue) can make your colors pop and help with shading.

• If you're just starting, a set of soft pastels in basic colors is enough—you can mix and blend to create more shades.
• Always work on a flat surface and keep a sheet of scrap paper under your hand to prevent smudging your artwork.

Basic Pastel Techniques for Kids

Start with simple strokes: hold the pastel like a pencil for fine lines, or lay it on its side to cover large areas quickly. Practice making dots, dashes, and swirls to get a feel for the medium. Encourage kids to experiment without worrying about making mistakes—pastels are forgiving because you can layer and blend over them.

Layering is key: begin with light colors and gradually add darker ones. This creates depth and richness. For example, to draw an apple, lay down a light red base, then add darker red shadows and a touch of yellow for highlights. Blend with your finger, a tissue, or a blending stump to soften edges and create smooth transitions.

• A common mistake is pressing too hard, which makes blending difficult. Use light pressure and build up slowly.
• Keep a baby wipe or damp cloth nearby to clean hands between colors and avoid muddying your palette.

Creative Projects to Try

Once kids master the basics, try fun projects like drawing a sunset, a pet, or a favorite toy. Pastels are great for capturing movement and light, so encourage bold, sweeping strokes. For a more structured activity, create a simple still life with fruit or flowers and practice observing shapes and shadows.

Another idea is to combine pastels with other materials, like watercolor or collage. Since pastels are water-resistant (if using oil pastels), you can paint over them for interesting effects. Or, use pastels to add details to a watercolor painting. This cross-medium play keeps the creative process exciting.

• Try a 'color wheel' project: use pastels to mix primary colors to see what secondaries you can create.
• For a mess-free option, use pastel pencils for fine details after laying down soft pastels.

Step-by-Step Pastel Drawing Process

1. Choose a simple subject: Pick something with basic shapes, like a piece of fruit or a toy. Avoid complex scenes with lots of details for your first attempts. Checkpoint: Can you identify the main shapes? If yes, you're ready to sketch.
2. Sketch lightly with a pencil: Use a regular graphite pencil to outline your subject on pastel paper. Keep lines light so they don't show through the pastel. Mistake to avoid: Pressing too hard with the pencil, which can create grooves that are hard to cover.
3. Layer colors from light to dark: Start with your lightest colors, then add mid-tones and shadows. Use the side of the pastel for broad areas and the tip for details. Checkpoint: Does your artwork have depth? If not, add more layers and blend.
4. Blend to create smooth transitions: Use your fingertip, a tissue, or a blending stump to soften edges and merge colors. Work gently to avoid removing too much pigment. Mistake to avoid: Over-blending, which can make colors look muddy. Blend in one direction.
5. Add final details: Use a sharp pastel or pastel pencil to add highlights, outlines, or fine details like eyes or petals. Checkpoint: Step back and look at your artwork. Is there enough contrast? Add darker shadows or brighter highlights if needed.

Products That Enhance Your Pastel Experience

• Victoria's Hardcover Artist Sketchbook: A high-quality, hardcover sketchbook featuring Victoria Ball’s floral artwork to inspire your own. Pairs well with the matching Victoria’s Double-Sided Pencils. 80 pages of sturdy, 160 GSM sketch paper. A beautiful, artist-quality gift. Includes removable belly band. Sustainably Sourced: Made with recycled board and printed on FSC®-certified paper using vegetable-based inks. Sheet Size: 9.5" x 7.5". While designed for sketching, the 160 GSM paper has enough tooth to handle light pastel work. Its sturdy cover and size make it a convenient, portable option for practicing techniques on the go.
• Mushroom Hardcover Artist Sketchbook: A high-quality, hardcover sketchbook featuring watercolorist Hazel Jarvis’s lush and vibrant artwork to inspire your own. Pairs well with the matching Mushroom 25 Double-Sided Pencils. 80 pages of sturdy, 160 GSM sketch paper. A beautiful, artist-quality gift. Includes removable belly band with artist's bio. Sustainably Sourced: Made with recycled board and printed on FSC®-certified paper using vegetable-based inks. This sketchbook offers a similar sturdy surface for pastel practice, and its inspiring cover art can motivate young artists. The paper's weight supports layering without buckling, which is important for pastel work.

Pastels are a wonderful medium for kids and beginners to explore color and creativity. With these simple techniques and a bit of practice, anyone can create beautiful, expressive art. Remember to have fun and not worry about perfection—every artist starts somewhere. Grab your pastels and start creating today!