Drawing with oil pastels can be fun and rewarding. But beginners might not know where to start. If you're looking to create an oil pastel painting or learn how to draw a cat with oil pastels, you're in the right place. We'll guide you step-by-step on how to draw a cat using oil pastels.
First, you'll need these tools:
1. Oil pastels: Choose a set with multiple colors. This tutorial uses Paul Rubens HAIYA Oil Pastels Set.
2. Oil pastel paper: Get paper suitable for oil pastels.
3. Pencil: To sketch the basic outline.
4. Scraper: To detail the cat’s fur, add texture and fine details.
5. Cotton swabs: For fine details.
Step 1: Sketch the Basic Outline
Use a pencil to sketch the basic outline of the cat. Focus on the head, body, legs, and tail shapes. This is just a rough sketch, so don't worry about perfection. You can use a reference image or follow our guide image operation.
Step 2: Apply the Background
Fill in the background with oil pastels, avoiding the cat’s outline. Choose 2-3 similar colors. For example, we chose brown and black for a rich background.
Step 3: Blend the Background
Use your fingers to blend the background colors smoothly. Since it’s the background, it should be soft and not too textured.
Step 4: Apply the Base Color
Choose a few colors to fill in the base color of the cat. We used simple black and white. Start with black and light brown for the darker areas. Fill in the body first, then detail the face, including the ears and nose. Lightly sketch the eyes with black. Finish by using white for the fur and adding finer details.
Note: Many might feel discouraged after this step as the painting might look messy or dirty. Trust yourself and keep going. The final piece isn’t complete yet, and many go through this phase. Patience is key.
Step 5: Build Texture and Color Transitions
This is an exploratory step. Layer different shades to create depth. This adds realism to the texture.
1. Layer similar colors on top and use the cotton swab for details. You can also use your fingers to blend areas like inside the ears or dark spots to create depth and contrast.
2. Use the scraper for details, especially where colors meet, like around the nose and mouth.
Step 6: Cat Eye Oil Pastel Drawing
The cat's eye is a key point. Focus on the eyes. Fill the black pupils with black pastel, outline with black, and use green for the iris. Highlight with a touch of white using the scraper for a lifelike effect. This is when your cat comes to life.
Step 7: Enhance the Fur
Use lighter colors to highlight areas where light hits the cat. Follow the natural fur direction.
1. Use the scraper to draw white whiskers. If the scraper is tricky, use a highlight pen for the whiskers.
2. Add white fur details to the body with the scraper for a natural, floating look.
Step 8: Finish
Congratulations! You’ve learned how to draw a cat with oil pastels. You've completed your beautiful painting.
Painting Success Tips:
1. Practice Blending: Blend oil pastels to create new colors and smooth gradients, perfect for realistic fur textures.
2. Work in Layers: Build colors from light to dark for depth and realism. Practice using tools like scrapers and cotton swabs, or even your fingers, for better layering and realism.
Conclusion
Keep experimenting, as drawing is an exploration. Enjoy the process. Follow along with this step by step oil pastel cat painting tutorial and you too can easily paint a cat with oil pastels. If you need more tutorials, feel free to suggest. If our tutorial helped, let us know in the comments or share your artwork. Let’s enjoy drawing together!
