Oil Pastel for Absolute Beginners – Learn the Basics & Start Drawing!

Class Overview:

Curious about oil pastels but don’t know where to start? This beginner-friendly class is the perfect introduction for anyone who wants to explore the vibrant and expressive world of oil pastels. You’ll learn foundational techniques, practice simple exercises, and complete fun mini projects — all guided step-by-step.

Even if you've never touched an oil pastel before, you'll walk away feeling confident and ready to draw more on your own.

What You Will Learn:

In this class, you’ll learn essential skills and techniques to get started with oil pastels, including:

What oil pastels are and how they differ from crayons or other art mediums
Basic tools and optional materials for blending and cleanup
How to draw thin lines and control your pressure for different effects
Blending techniques using your fingers and cotton buds
How to create gradients and smooth transitions between colors
Simple color mixing with a limited palette
How to observe and apply shadows and highlights
Practice drawings: a colorful bag, a lollipop, and a kettle

Why You Should Take This Class:

Oil pastels are a powerful and beginner-friendly medium — they’re affordable, portable, and require no fancy setup. Whether you’re a creative hobbyist or someone looking for a new relaxing outlet, this class will give you a solid foundation and help you build confidence with simple techniques that anyone can do.

I created this class with absolute beginners in mind — I’ve only been learning oil pastels for a few months myself, so I understand how overwhelming it can feel at first. That’s why I break everything down into small, easy-to-follow steps that make the process feel approachable and fun.

After finishing this class, you’ll be ready to take on more creative projects — and I even have a follow-up class to help you continue your journey!

Who This Class Is For:

This class is perfect for:

Beginners with no prior art experience
Artists or hobbyists curious to try oil pastels
Anyone looking for a low-pressure creative activity to relax and de-stress
Self-taught learners who want a clear and simple introduction to the medium

No previous drawing experience is required. We’ll build from the very basics and grow your confidence along the way.

Materials / Resources:

You’ll need:

A set of oil pastels (any brand is fine, just basic colors will do)
Drawing paper or sketchbook (Paper between 120gsm to 200gsm is better)
Cotton buds and tissues (for blending and cleanup)
A pencil or color pencil and eraser (for sketching outlines)

Project reference images are included in the class resources.

Kira Bunina

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