CHALK PASTEL TECHNIQUES
Palette: Consider color selection to create a mood. Use a limited palette or wide
range of colors to create tints and shades.
Sketching: Use line and color to make expressive marks, capture the mood and
form. Begin with a light sketch, be careful not to layer colors too quickly (you will
loose the tooth of the paper)
Tone: Lightness/Darkness to describe form. Squint at the subject matter to
determine light source. (use mirror if necessary) work light to dark
Adding Chalk: If you want to add more color to a slick surface (you’ve lost the
tooth) spray with fixative and apply more color on top.
Smudging: Cover large areas with less chalk. Use side of chalk to lay down a
layer of color, use hand to blend into paper.
Blending: Mix 2 or more pastels on paper to create a unified tone.
 Sketch outlines, blend in with finger
 Build up areas of color with loose strokes, blend with finger/hand
 Lighten areas using cloth, eraser, q-tip or cotton ball
 Focus on details using pastel and shading stump
 Apply highlights with white and blend with q-tip for control
Scumbling: Build up pastel by “painting” in layers of broken color; apply different
amounts of pressure to pastel. Add new color over top to create an interaction
with underlying color.
 Random marks create interest, texture and color effects.
Feathering: Delicate parallel lines over the top of existing flat color (similar to
hatching). Used to clarify planes and form, use line to mimic shape (curved,
jagged, short strokes).
 Block in color using different shades, feather over top. Consider
complimentary colors to create a powerful effect.
Dry Wash: Use exacto knife to create loose powder from pastel. Blend powder
into the paper.
Mix with Water: Wet the paper and add color over top or cover area with pastel
and use a wet brush to blend.
Storage: Don’t roll up the work, it will cause tension and result in a loss of pastel
to the surface, lie in a flat safe area.
Fixative: Always spray the work with a fixative when finished.