In the title I wrote draw/paint. I did this because oil pastels can be used to create a colored line drawing or a full painting. They are wonderfully versatile.
I basically use a few types of surfaces (also referred to as grounds) to paint oil pastels. If I want a smooth surface I will use Bristol Vellum drawing paper which is a heavy, slightly textured paper. If I want a textured surface I will either use canvas panels or Frederix canvas sheets (Do not use watercolor canvas. The oil pastel will wipe right off this special canvas.) I also occasionally use cold-pressed 140-lb. watercolor paper (hot-pressed is smoother). Which one I use depends on the look I want to achieve and my mood.
If I am using a sheet of paper or sheet of canvas, I will put it in a sketching clipboard to hold it in place.
This photo shows a sheet of paper on the clipboard and some of my Senneliers.
