Traditional Painting Tutorials and Creative Techniques

The secret to getting those rich textures in oil pastels, especially on black paper, is all in the layering. Don't worry about getting it perfect on the first go; I usually start with rough layers to build depth before refining the details. It is about enjoying the process, not just the final result, so pick up your pastels and let’s get messy.

Painting shouldn't feel like a chore. Whether you are working with oil pastels or gouache, the best way to learn is by doing. I often use Anupam 300gsm watercolor sheets or black paper because they hold up well to layering, which is crucial when you are blending colors for landscapes or water droplets.

If you are trying oil pastels, start with simple shapes. For the ocean or monsoon scenes you see here, I focused on layering blue and white tones to catch the light—reflection is everything. With gouache, the technique is totally different; it is about opacity and building color. My first forest pond attempt was definitely not perfect, but it taught me exactly how the paint behaves on the page.

In my sessions, I do not use fancy art school jargon. We talk about blending, brush pressure, and light, but in a way that actually makes sense. You will see me use Copic and Ohuhu markers alongside my paints to add those final pop-details. If you are a beginner wanting to explore traditional mediums, do not overthink your tools. Grab a basic set, a decent paper pad, and just start. You will mess up, the colors might bleed, and that is exactly how you get better. Let's make some art together.