You can use oil pastels with acrylic paint by applying the acrylic paint first and then using the oil pastels over it or alongside it.
Understanding the Compatibility of Oil Pastels and Acrylic Paint
The key to successfully using oil pastels with acrylic paint lies in understanding their inherent properties. Acrylic paint is water-based, while oil pastels are, as the name implies, oil-based. This difference impacts how they interact with each other.
Basic Rule: Layering
The golden rule when combining oil pastels with acrylic paint is:
- Acrylic paint goes under oil pastels: This is crucial to prevent cracking. Think of it like using oil paints: you apply the "lean" (acrylic) first, then the "fat" (oil pastels) over it.
Why Not Acrylic Over Oil Pastels?
According to the provided information, you should avoid painting acrylic paint over oil pastels:
- Cracking: Acrylic paint applied over oil pastels is prone to cracking as it dries due to the different drying and flexibility characteristics of the two mediums.
Techniques for Using Oil Pastels with Acrylic Paint
Here are some ways you can combine oil pastels and acrylic paint:
- Backgrounds: Use acrylic paint to create a background, either a solid color or a textured effect, and then draw on top with oil pastels.
- Details and Highlights: After painting with acrylics, add details, highlights, and textures with oil pastels.
- Mixed Media: Use oil pastels to fill specific areas of a painting next to acrylic elements, not directly over it, creating mixed media pieces.
- Underpainting: Create an underpainting with acrylics, then use oil pastels to add colors and depth on top.
Practical Insights
- Acrylic Texture: If you plan to use oil pastels heavily, consider applying acrylic paint with a bit of texture to provide a better surface for the oil pastels to grip.
- Drying Times: Always make sure your acrylic paint is completely dry before applying oil pastels.
- Sealing: If you are concerned about the longevity or smudging, a fixative for oil pastels may be used once the painting is completely finished. However, you should NOT seal the painting with any acrylic-based fixative.
Summary Table
| Medium | Application | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic Paint | Applied first as a base or a background. | Water-based, dries more quickly, better adhesion to surface. |
| Oil Pastels | Used on top of dried acrylic, to add details, color or textural elements. | Oil-based, won't adhere properly to acrylic if acrylic is on top, and will crack |
