Posted July 2025 by Artist Stephanie Hoover

Is Oil Pastel Art "Drawing" or "Painting"?

Here's a question I'm asked all the time - and maybe you've asked it also. Is oil pastel art a "painting" or a "drawing"?

My answer is clear and immediate: when you use oil pastels you create a painting. And here's why:

1) To "draw" implies you're using a dry, non-liquid material such as graphite, charcoal, or soft pastel.

2) To "paint" implies you're using wet, malleable, or blendable materials - which is exactly what oil pastels are.

3) The word "draw" is a term associated with draftsmen and draftsmanship. This is a very specific skill referring to the ability to accurately (and beautifully) draw everything from woodland scenes to architectural plans. This level of detail is, in my opinion, simply not feasible (nor intended to be so) using blunt instruments such as oil pastels - although there are techniques and tools used in conjunction with oil pastels that can help mimic fine detail.

It is important to note that there is no superior choice between drawing and painting as a talent or work product.

Without the ability to draw you'll never successfully create a proportional, well-conceived painting. The two skills can and must work together to create good art.

But, when it comes to the end result of work created with oil pastels, you are definitely "painting." It's no different than if you were using oil paint. The only missing ingredient is a brush.