Would you like to learn how to paint an owl with pastels? In this blog post, we will walk you through the process step-by-step. You will be surprised at how easy it is. We will provide all of the necessary supplies and tools, and we will also give you some helpful tips along the way. So grab your pastels, and let’s get started.
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Would you like to learn how to paint an owl with pastels? In this blog post, we will walk you through the process step-by-step. You will be surprised at how easy it is. We will provide all of the necessary supplies and tools, and we will also give you some helpful tips along the way. So grab your pastels, and let’s get started.
Get Your Supplies.
You will need a set of pastels, a sheet of paper, and a reference photo of an owl.
Supplies Used For This Painting:
- Clairefontaine Pastelmat Card
- Rembrandt Soft Pastels
- Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils
- Stabilo CarbOthello Pastel Pencils
- Derwent Pastel Pencils
- PanPastel
You can use various types of pastels and paper for this painting. We recommend using a traditional soft pastels or pastel pencil on paper with a toothy texture, like Pastelmat or Mi-Teintes paper. This surface will grip the pastels, allowing you to layer and blend them more easily.
Use a reference image for your drawing. If you plan to sell your pastel painting, you must be permitted to use the photo. You can often find royalty-free photos online, or you can take your reference photos. Just ensure you have the right to use the photo for commercial purposes.
Sketch Out The Owl And Background
The first step is to outline your owl with a soft pastel or graphite pencil. Start by sketching out the basic shape of the owl’s body and wingspan, then add its facial features. It is vital to get this step right as it will determine the success of your painting.
Next, draw a simple background for your owl. This can be something as simple as a few trees or some foliage. Check the reference photo and sketch any details you want to include in the painting.
You can also use the grid method to make sure all of the elements of your painting are proportional. This will also help you keep the owl’s eyes and other features in the same proportion as its body.
Begin Blocking In Your Painting
Now it’s time to start laying down some pastel color. We recommend using small amounts of color for this step and focusing on the big shapes rather than details. Please start with the owl’s body, pulling out its shape with light and dark tones.
Once you are happy with the color of the owl’s body, use a few darker tones to add depth to its wings and feathers. This will make your painting look more realistic. Remember to take breaks between blending and adding details as you work.
Add Color To The Background
Add some color to the background around the owl so you can see the shades used by pastel pencils to create the feathers. You can also use a blurring tool like a paper stump or a blending stick to blend some colors. This will help you achieve an atmospheric background that will add depth to your painting.
Pastel pencils provide a wide range of colors, making it easy to pick the perfect colors for your painting.
Continue Adding Details To The Owl
Now that you have some color around the owl, you will be able to see the color values of the owl. Keep adding layers of the mid-tones and dark areas to create the desired look. At this point, you do not be concerned about the fine details. You are only trying to get the colors correct.
Adding More Texture And Details To The Background
You can add more texture to the background using pastel pencils, soft pastels, or PanPastels. This will give your painting a soft, realistic look, as if it was painted on canvas rather than paper.
This painting uses a blurred background to make the owl stand out, but you can use the same effect for any subject.
Continue Adding Color To The Owl
Continue adding color. Add more color to the owl’s body, using darker colors in some areas and lighter colors in others. Please pay attention to the direction of the feathers and how they overlap. Try not to look at the fine details of the feathers at this point. Instead, you want to look at the values of the colors and use light, mid-tones, and dark tones to create contrast.
Add The Final Details
Finally, add texture details to the wings and other parts of the owl. This will help bring the painting to life. Once you are happy with your work, it is time to put on a few finishing touches.
Protect Your Pastel Painting
Once you have finished painting your owl, you will want to protect the pastel pigments. Spray a fixative over the painting to keep your work from smearing. You can also use matte or UV varnish to protect your painting from sunlight and other elements.
Related Post – How to Protect Soft Pastel Drawings without Fixative
Your owl pastel painting is now complete! You may want to take some time to admire it and share it with your friends. Congratulations on a job well done
Purchase This Owl Print
If you love my owl painting, you can purchase a print here. By purchasing this piece, you are supporting the work of an independent artist and helping to make more art, tutorials available for everyone to enjoy.
Thank you for considering my artwork! I hope my painting has inspired you to create your own pastel paintings.
Conclusion:
Pastel painting is a great way to create beautiful artwork with vibrant colors. Using the grid method, you can make sure that all of the elements of your painting are proportional. Begin by blocking in the shapes of your subject and then add layers of color to create texture and contrast. Finally, spray on a fixative or use varnish to protect your painting from smearing and other elements. With patience and practice, you can create stunning pastel paintings that will last a lifetime. Thank you for considering my artwork! I hope my painting has inspired you to create your own pastel paintings. Enjoy the process, and have fun creating something beautiful!
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