Summarize this article:

Start with an easy subject like a dog, a house, a lake, or a simple object like an apple. If you're up for a challenge, you can choose something harder, like a person or landscape. Consider all the oil pastel colors you have when deciding on your image and make sure you have the colors that you need. If you're missing a couple, see if you can improvise. Begin with images that contain just 1 to 3 colors. Within these colors, you can create different shades, so you'll still have plenty to work with. On the test sheet, which should be identical to your chosen pastel paper, draw something small and simple using a pastel. Be sure to apply just a light amount of pressure. Don't draw too many details focus on getting your outline and getting a feel for the paper. Continue practicing until you're happy with your rough sketch. Label regions of your image with your planned colors. For example, label the ground dark green, and mark specific patches dark blue for puddles of water. Select a lighter color and gently draw your outline by applying a small amount of pressure. If you make a mistake, erase it and try again. Don't worry about the finer details yetsave those for later. Don't use black for your outline to avoid contaminating the other colors. Create vertical and horizontal lines of symmetry to split up larger objects and shapes. This will help you place your colors and blend them properly. Use harder pastels for your outline to allow for greater accuracy. When working with pastels, it's better to work from the background to the nearest object. Using this principle, you're always drawing object edges over the background, which makes for better accuracy. After filling in your background and foreground, blend the colors together using your fingers or a tissue. Use thick layers of pastel for your background layers by applying a modest amount of pressure as you color them in. If you plan to draw over these layers, use a lighter amount of pressure. Stick to harder pastel brands for backgrounds and bottom layers. For the foreground and additional layers, use lighter pastel brands. An important part of drawing with pastels is the base layer. For example, if you're drawing a pear, draw over your outline in a medium green color. Afterward, begin coloring it in with this same shade of green. Always apply a generous amount of pressure when creating your base layer. Save the extreme colorsin this case, light green or dark greenfor later. Smudge the primary color into the outline using a blending tool for a more seamless transition. Start adding more details and colors to your object. If you're drawing a pear and just added a darker green, you can start applying another darker green to one side of the pear and a light green to the other. Use less pressure for these layers. Blend your colors with your finger or a tissue. Utilize your symmetry lines to separate colors and blend them at the point they meet. Always start with the darker color first when blending. Apply firm pressure to the tip of the pastel and slowly decrease pressure as you work your way into a specific direction. After adding the first color, begin drawing another color next to it in the light spot of the first color. Now, using a paper stub or your fingers, gently rub the colors together. This will smooth the edges that divide the colors and create a blending effect. Soak a cotton swab in baby oil and drag it along your drawings to blend your colors without using your fingers. Use blending tools like tortillons and blending stumps for the most control and accuracy. These are ideal for blending smaller areas. Swirl your strokes when blending to vary the effect. Use all of the basic pastel techniques that you can find a place for. For example, layer a dark blue on top of a light blue for a puddle. Afterward, scratch off regions of the top layer to reveal the bottom and create a unique water effect. Don't add too many colors too fastthis can muddy them. Practice restraint and if something looks good, don't add anything else! Use softer pastels when adding layers to make blending easier. Stick to harder pastels when you're working with finer details, such as a pear stem or the leaves of a tree. You're not going to make a perfect picture right away. Take it slow and keep experimenting with different shapes, images, colors, and textures. Remember that this was your first attempt and that everyone needs practice to do something well. Try out different kinds of scenes and objects to build your skills. Purchase different kinds of pastel colors and experiment with unique combinations. Always apply the fixative with light sprays in a well-ventilated area. After letting the fixative dry for about 10 minutes, you can leave the artwork be or frame it. Be sure to use a thick mat to ensure the artwork is about a 316 inch (0.48cm) distance away from the glass so it doesn't smudge. Mount the picture onto a wooden panel prior to framing for the most protection.

Summary:
Choose a subject to draw and decide how large you want it to be. Draw a rough sketch on a test paper to plan your image. Sketch a light outline on the main paper with a hard, colored pastel. Work from the background to the foreground. Draw a rough underpainting of the main objects with the primary color. Add additional colors to your drawing as the second layers. Blend different colors to create a sense of flow in your images. Continue filling in your objects and layering colors. Keep practicing and don't overextend yourself! Seal your image with an oil pastel fixative when you're done.