Oil pastels can be used in a variety of techniques including stenciling, blending, impasto, hatching and cross-hatching, parallel brush strokes, using fragmented colors, and scratching. The stencil technique involves using oil pastel as a backdrop covered by an ink wash, watercolor, or diluted acrylic paint, allowing the pastel to show through. Blending involves mixing colors using fingers, stumps, or solvents. Impasto creates thick, dense lines that bring out texture and intensity. Hatching and cross-hatching underline relief and create varied hues and textures.

1. OIL PASTELS