Oil pastel

Oil pastel is a painting and drawing medium with characteristics similar to pastel and crayon. Unlike "soft" or "French" pastel sticks, which are made with a gum or methyl cellulose binder, oil pastels consist of pigment mixed with a non-drying oil and wax binder. The surface of an oil pastel painting is therefore less powdery, but more difficult to protect with a fixative. After application to a support, the oil pastel pigment can be manipulated with a brush moistened in turpentine or linseed oil.