oil pastels – Katie Jeanne Wood

Oil pastel portrait of a bald man work in progress

Continuing on with oils pastels from last week, I created another portrait drawing of a man. This one seemed a little easier because I was thinking more in terms of drawing with oil pastels, instead of being in painting mode.

I don’t know about you, but I forget how to do things if I haven’t done it in a while. It’s been..Idk? close to a year I’m thinking, since I’ve done any oil pastel drawings, other than maybe one here or there. I’m definitely out of practice.

I’ve discovered since taking a break from oil pastels that I don’t enjoy the blending process as much as I used to..at least with a tortillon. I’d rather use a wet brush instead. I’ve tried using different oil mediums, but didn’t like the odor or how the mediums reacted with the oil pastels. I prefer using water, but that wasn’t possible with these pastels because they’re not water soluble.

I have plans of opening up a brand new set of Mungyo water soluble oil pastels that I bought a year or so ago, but never used. It’s easier, and far less work to use a brush than a tortillon, especially when filling in large background spaces. A brush gets the job done quickly without so much effort. Why work harder than you need to?

I really like this wispy,
unintentionally made
mark in his eye

What I was watching while drawing:

I Photographed A 99-Year-Old Painter in his NYC Studio

Pilar’s Art Garden — The Colorful World of Artist Pilar Pobil

Idris Murphy talks with Maria Stoljar in his studio

Thanks for stopping by! I hope this post inspires you to do something creative today.

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Cray-Pas Expressionist oil pastels review

Cray-Pas Expressionist oil pastels

The first time I used these oil pastels, I thought the colors were too basic, so I used other pastels to fill in the colors absent from this set. There isn’t a dark blue, purple or green which I often use for shadows. The red is more of a burnt orange, and not as vibrant as others I use.

This time around I decided to only use the colors in this set, so I could test out how well the pastels work with each other. I also wanted to figure out if this set is the right choice for me, given the limited colors to choose from.

Turns out, I really like these Cray-Pas Expressionist oil pastels. They are similar to other brands I use, like Arrtx. I didn’t find the limited palette all that difficult to use once I set my mind to using less colors.

These Cray-Pas Expressionist oil pastels have a nice creamy texture, and layer quite well. I was able to use white for highlights, and blend it in smoothly with my tortillon. Some brands I’ve tried don’t layer or blend well.

These oil pastels left very little crumbs on my paper. It was easy to blend in the tiny pieces with my tortillon as I was working. The paper I was using is 65 lb toned drawing paper. I’m not sure what the brand is or where I bought it.

I’m pretty sure I used every color in this set on this painting, and they all were consistent in texture. This is important to me because other brands I’ve tried haven’t been consistent – some colors were dry & crumbly, and others were too soft & slippery. See links below for my review of Paul Ruben oil pastels.

If you’re someone who likes to work with a limited palette, you’ll most likely love this set. If you need more color options, you should check out the Arrtx brand.

Other brands of oil pastels I have reviewed so far – Arrtx, Paul Rueben: part one and part two, and Cray-Pas Expressionist.

Reading:

Recreating The Colour Palette Of Helen Frankenthaler – So beautiful! I have often thought of buying a wooden palette to use for a month or so, and then hang it on the wall as a display piece. Also, I couldn’t help notice how Helen looked so much like my mother when she was her age.

7 tips for the self-taught artist

Decaffeinated – Blogpost I read last month, and have reread several times since then – “Sometimes you just have to remind yourself that you’re lucky you get to do this in the first place. If it’s something you get to make any kind of living at, you’re lucky. If you’re someone with the ability or luxury to carve out actual time in your day to be creative, you’re lucky. If you live in a place where freedom of speech is a given, you’re lucky. If your brain is still healthy and working, then you’re goddamn lucky.”

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I’m currently on hiatus from creating new work to sell, but there are plenty of paintings in my shop for sale. Shipping is free within the USA, if you purchase art directly from me. I also sell originals & prints on eBay and Etsy. You can get some great deals on my weekly eBay auctions and/or on some of my flash sales I have on Etsy.

As always, if you want to say hello or have any questions you can write me here. I love getting email, and hearing from you.

Other places to find me online.

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New larger cardboard art portrait paintings – women with cats

Kitty Dreamscape
Available here

All of these new portrait paintings of women holding cats in their laps were created on 8×8 inch cardboard, and are available to purchase in my shop.

Painted Pals
Available here
SOLD!

I created these paintings in a naive, outsider art style with oil pastels, colored pencils, and acrylic paint.

Paw-some Companions
Tortious cat
Available here
SOLD!

Shipping is free – never hidden in the price. If purchased elsewhere, you will have to pay for shipping.

Btw, if you ever see a price that doesn’t match a painting listed elsewhere, just let me know. It’s not intentional. I change my prices sometimes, and forget to change them here.

Also, if the price is wrong, and you pay too much, I will refund you. I had this happen a couple weeks ago on Etsy. I had listed a painting for $175, when it was supposed to be $75. A lady bought it, and I refunded her $100 immediately when I saw the error.

I have 4 different shops online, so I’m bound to make mistakes now and then.

Painting of a child holding a black cat in her lap

Purrfectly Adorable
Available here

Serene Kitty
Available here
SOLD!

These drawings might have corrugation lines, creases, and/or advertising showing. Because I used recycled corrugated cardboard, along with the hand cutting process it gives these painting a raw, rustic, primitive vibe. I like to call these pieces imperfectly perfect for this reason.

Whiskered Wonder
Available here

I have a few larger 10x10s finished, also. I’ve been scheduling a new painting to post in my shop every day since January, so be sure to check that out.

Gotta run! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Custom oil pastel portrait paintings made from your photos

Fun Loving Fellow

I didn’t mean to take such a long hiatus away from my blog. I had an unexpected rush of custom painting orders come in, over 100 orders to ship, and other projects that I was working on behind the scene. I’m just starting to get caught up now.

Oil pastel drawing of a man on 60 lb purple construction paper Happy Go Lucky Poet

These paintings I’m sharing today are all 4×6 inches on construction paper, which I created using watercolor pencils, and oil pastels.

Oil pastel drawing of a man on orange 60 lb construction paper Working Undisturbed

If you like my naive, quirky, outsider art style of drawing portraits with oil pastels or watercolors, I am accepting custom orders for them. These portraits will somewhat resemble the person in your photo, but will be more silly, and playful in nature. I’m no longer accepting orders for realistic portraits.

Oil pastel drawing of a man on 60 lb yellow construction paper Cheeky Chap

At this time, I’m only publicly offering one affordable size – 4×6 inches on watercolor, drawing or construction paper – depending on what I have on hand when you place your order. If you’d prefer a larger size, I’m willing to discuss the options, so don’t hesitate to write me.

Oil pastel drawing of a man on orange 60 lb construction paper Purple Eyed Daydreamer

I’m limited the number of orders I take to 5 at a time to keep from getting overwhelmed. I’ll adjust the number on the listing, accordingly. That’s not to say I won’t take larger orders for families or groups of friends, but you’ll have to contact me first, so we can discuss the timeline.

Oil pastel drawing of a man on 60 lb pink construction paper The Naive Dreamer
SOLD!

I prefer to draw/paint faces only, so be sure the photo(s) you send me are taken close up, and are well lit. Dark, out of focus, blurry or far away shots of a figure won’t be accepted.

Oil pastel drawing of a grumpy boy on 60 lb construction paper Grumpy Boy

Custom portrait paintings make wonderful personalized gifts for anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, Valentine’s day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, and/or my favorite..Just Because.

Again, this is where you can order a custom painting. Please read the entire listing, and contact me first with reference photos before purchasing. I look forward to working with you.

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If you haven’t checked out my eBay store or Etsy in a while, I’ve been adding new artwork there every day.

As always, if you want to say hello or have any questions you can write me here. I love getting email, and hearing from you.

Other places to find me online.

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Softened

Oil pastels on paper

She was looking at me like gee, thanks for creating me. Now I’m stuck in this world with you.

I know she didn’t mean to be so rude or mean to me, so I softened her facial expression. Don’t you wish you could do that with humans who are glaring at you?

We are at our most powerful
the moment
we no longer need to be powerful.

Eric Micha’el Leventhal

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Playing in theaters now! See my artwork in a new movie – The Whale starring Brendan Fraser.

I’ve been busy slashing prices in my eBay store and on Etsy. Some artwork I have marked down to only $10 or $15. I’m trying to clear out older paintings, so I have room for the new ones.

As always, if you want to say hello or have any questions you can write me here. I love getting email, and hearing from you.

Other places to find me online.

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You Rang?

Every viewer is going to get a different thing.
That’s the thing about painting, photography, cinema.

David Lynch

I think he kinda looks like Lurch from the Addam’s family. Yet, at the same time the disgruntled look on this guy’s face is similar to how I feel when scammers call or text me.

From now on, I’m going to let this dude take care of all my calls.

You Rang?
Pencil, watercolor pencils, oil pastels drawing
art journal page

I hope you have a lovely creative day. Get your art journal out, and play. If you don’t have a lot of time to spare, set a timer for 10 or 15 mins, and focus on the process, not the finished product. No worries, no cares. Just keep going, and your stress will melt away. You won’t regret it.

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See my artwork in a new movie – The Whale starring Brendan Fraser, which will be released December 9th, 2022.

If you haven’t checked out my eBay store in a while, you should. Some artwork I have marked down to only $10 or $15. I add new stuff every single day. Same goes for Etsy.

I’m also accepting orders for custom paintings, and drawings. Because commissions take a great deal of time, Christmas delivery isn’t possible at this time.

As always, if you want to say hello or have any questions you can write me here. I love getting email, and hearing from you.

Other places to find me online.

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A routine of sorts

I’ve fallen into a routine of sorts when creating art for the past couple weeks. First of all, using my art journal has become my daily practice, which isn’t anything new to me, but it’s a welcome change of pace. I’ve been focused on making art to sell for months on end. Mentally, I need a break every so often to recharge my battery, and the way I do that is by making art just for me.

As for my new creative routine, instead of reaching for oil pastels like I have been for months now, I’ve been starting out by drawing with a black stabilo pencil. Then I add a little color with watercolor pencils.

Once I get the drawing sketched out, I take my water brush and let the stabilo lines bleed together with the watercolor pencils. I don’t have a photo of that, so you’ll just have to imagine what it looked like.

From there I decide if I like the drawing as is or if I want to spice it up using oil pastels. Some drawings I prefer to leave alone. Others look or feel unfinished, so I keep going.

I continued on with oil pastels on this one, and I’m glad I did. It added a bold richness that I couldn’t get with the watercolor pencils.

I used a reference photo from the Museum app, formally known as Sktchy, for this drawing. It’s my favorite go-to app when I want to draw or paint from a photo.

I use these photos loosely as my jumping off point. I will study a photo before I start drawing. I take note of the size & shape of the face, eyes, nose, lips, and hair thickness & color. After that, I put my phone away, forget about the photo, and I draw mostly from my short term memory. Sometimes I glance at my phone to see where the shadows and light are in the photo, but I’m mostly just doing my own thing…making stuff up as I go along.

When I looked at the photo again after I finished this drawing I noticed the girl is actually much younger than my drawing portrays her to be. That’s okay because it gives me reason to use the reference photo again sometime soon.

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See my artwork in a new movie – The Whale starring Brendan Fraser, which will be released December 9th, 2022.

If you haven’t checked out my eBay store in a while, you should. Some artwork I have marked down to only $10 or $15. I add new stuff every single day. Same goes for Etsy.

***

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Colorful man oil pastel drawing wip

Colorful man
oil pastel drawing
wip

I’ve been terrible lately about taking shots of my work in progress. I just get so into drawing that I forget. That, plus, my hands are usually messy, and my phone doesn’t work if I’m wearing gloves.

I was actually surprised to see these pics on my camera roll from a couple weeks ago. I need to do better, I scold myself.

But, thinking about it, I’m happier knowing I’ve been keeping myself present in the moment, and enjoying the process. Rather than having my head churning over some task I must do in the future, like writing blog posts.

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Reading: This restlessly beating heart – beautiful story about a bird. I would have done the same, and have before.

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