How to draw landscape with oil pastels step by step: A comprehensive guide to creating stunning landscapes using oil pastels

Drawing a landscape with oil pastels is a rewarding artistic experience, whether you’re a beginner or an enthusiast hoping to expand your skills. Here’s a step-by-step guide that balances artistic techniques and practical strategies for achieving stunning results.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Before you start, make sure you have high-quality oil pastels, thick paper (like pastel or mixed media paper), a charcoal or graphite pencil for sketching, a ruler (for composition), and some blending tools such as blending stumps or tissues.

Step 2: Choose & Sketch Your Composition

Select a reference photo or visualize a landscape—mountains, fields, a lake, or trees are all excellent options. Lightly sketch the main elements (horizon line, trees, hills, sky) with a pencil. Keep your lines gentle so they won’t show under the oil pastels.

Step 3: Lay Down the Background Colors

Begin with the sky or furthest background elements. Use broad, soft strokes and light pressure, layering different shades of blue, purple, yellow, or orange depending on your sky. Blend with your finger or a blending stump for a natural gradient.

Step 4: Develop the Midground and Foreground

Work forward in layers: hills, water bodies, and then closer trees or bushes. Block in the basic colors using the side of the pastel for larger areas. Gradually add darker shades for depth and contrast. Use lighter colors for highlights and bright areas where the sun hits.

Step 5: Add Details and Texture

Use sharper edges or the tips of the pastels for tree branches, blades of grass, or reflections in water. Layer and blend as necessary, but leave some bold, unblended marks for vibrancy and texture—oil pastels are ideal for expressive, tactile effects.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Step back to assess your piece. Add final highlights or deepen shadows for dimension. Gently clean up any smudges on your workspace—oil pastels can get messy! Consider using a fixative spray (suitable for oil pastels) to protect your finished landscape.

As a designer, I always see the value in planning your composition before you draw—similar to using a room planner in interior design, sketching out your landscape first ensures you balance space, color, and structure for the most dynamic results.

Tips 1:

Blend colors sparingly; sometimes, bold, direct pastel strokes create more lively landscapes. Keep a scrap piece of paper nearby to test color mixes or practice techniques before applying them to your main drawing.

FAQ

Q: Do I need special paper for oil pastels?

A: Yes, thicker papers with a bit of texture (like pastel paper or mixed media paper) work best for holding oil pastel layers and blending.

Q: How do you blend oil pastels smoothly?

A: Use your fingers, blending stumps, or a soft cloth for blending. For more control, some artists use a small amount of baby oil on a cotton swab.

Q: What landscapes are best for beginners?

A: Start with simple compositions—open fields, sunsets, or seascapes with clearly defined areas of color and minimal complex detail.

Q: Can I erase oil pastels if I make a mistake?

A: Completely erasing oil pastels is difficult, but you can lift most of the color with a blunt knife or eraser, then layer over with new pastel.

Q: Is a fixative necessary for oil pastel drawings?

A: While not strictly necessary, a fixative can help protect your completed artwork from smudges and dust, especially if you plan to display or transport it.