A box of pastels is in front of you, and the canvas before you is blank. How do you begin? Like standing at the base of a mountain wondering how to reach the top. You’re not alone. Let’s take The Tingology Harmony Pastels this journey together.

Start by getting familiar with your materials. Pastels come in different forms–soft, hard, oil-based. Each one has its own unique quirks. Soft pastels blend well but can get messy. Hard pastels have a greater precision but are also less vibrant. Oil pastels? Imagine buttery goodness which never dries.

Imagine your pastel stick as a magic wand. They can be used to create delicate whispers or bold statements. Play around with them! Scribble, layer, smudge–play around and don’t feel pressured to produce a masterpiece immediately.

When we speak of pressure, this is not a metaphor. It makes a huge difference how hard or gentle you press the pastels. Light strokes will give you soft colors; heavy pressure will result in vibrant colors.

Blending is where the magic occurs. You can mix colors with your fingertips, tissues or blending sticks. As you mix colors, new shades appear.

A technique that is often used in other painting styles, but works well here as a underpainting. Apply a watercolor or acrylic base before you apply your pastels. It adds dimension and depth that pastel alone may not have.

We’ll tackle a topic that affects every artist: mistakes. Smudges and lines can go wrong. This is all part of the creative process. The forgiving nature of pastels makes them a great choice. You can easily remove unwanted marks with a kneaded pencil eraser without damaging your surface.

Fixatives are a relatively new concept. These sprays set your pastel work, so that it won’t smear after you finish. They can dull vibrant colors if you use them too much.

As you develop, consider composition and balance. Imagine you’re creating music. Every element should harmonize and allow key parts to be solos.

The color wheel isn’t only for painters. It’s also important in this case! Complementary colours (those opposites each other on a color wheel) create striking differences that attract the eye of viewers instantly.

Texture can also make your artwork sing, or even shout. A variety of textures can keep a piece interesting and captivating for people who view it close-up or from afar.

It’s natural to wonder if you can improve your art quickly. Spoiler alert, practice is key. But joining a community of artists can also provide valuable feedback and inspire you on this journey!

Remember the days when learning seemed difficult — like riding a motorcycle or solving algebraic equations — and how persistence eventually paidoff? It’s the same here. Keep pushing through your frustrations. Breakthroughs are often just beyond them.

Last but not least, enjoy yourself! Art doesn’t have to be stressful. It is an expression of our inner selves, poured out onto paper or canvas. Laugh at your mistakes, celebrate small wins and treasure those moments when it all comes together.

Now, are you ready? Grab the pastel sticks and let’s go on another adventure!