Pastel vs Oil based pastels

IMO its better to by the pre-made pigments from Tamiya or Mig or AK. They just work better than any chalk pastel sticks. Welcome to the Forums, and try posting this in the Techniques sub-forums to get better replies.

Generally the regular pastels are more useful (and easier to use) than oil-based ones. Oil-based pastels can be used, but it's almost like using tiny amounts of oil paints. Typical practice is to brush the oil-based pastel with a paintbrush and mix it with a bit of thinner on a palette (or whatever), then apply it like a glaze. I suppose you could also just dab a little color on with the pastel, then work it with thinner on a brush.

Hi, sorry for the mistake...newbie here.

Im going back to this hobby after sometime. I used to build models when I was around 10, Im from Mexico, so at that time it was impossible to have good materials and tools, kits, paints, etc., and being 10 I had a loooot time but no money. I always dreamed to have the perfect workshop with the tools there are.

Now, being 38 I have the money to return to the hobby and now we have a couple of stores in Mexico, although not as big or having all tools, pigments, weathering sets, etc. so still I have to buy from the internet, which makes it more expensive specially having to pay shipping and handling.

I do travel to the US regularly but I found even there, there is no much of choices. I mainly the Georgia and SC., but found only one store in the Georgia are and nothing in SC or NC.

Any way, Im happy to finally start building some kits I stored for 10 years, one Tamiya 1/35 kit cost me $9 USD, it still has the price on it.

Happy building!

Welcome to the Forums. You have questions or problems? The guys, and gals on here have the answers. Don't be afraid to ask. We've all been there.

Jim 

Didn't even know there was such a thing as oil-based pastels.

Welcome to the Forum, Hugo.

The largest Hobby Town store in the country is in Kennesaw,  Georgia.  It fills up an old remodeled movie theater building, and the scope of their inventory is truly amazing.  I used to live near there, and could always find what I needed. Didn't have to shop on-line then.

Hi,

Thanks a lot for your advise. I sure will make a visit to the store. I saw the store video and yes, it does look huge. A childs candy store....

Now, my only concern is, if wil be able to carry paints, washes and weathering sets in the airplan in the checked baggage. Does any one knows if its allowed?

Thanks again.

Welcome !   You cannot carry any paints on a plane.   There considered flammable.   you can put them in checked baggage as long as their not spray cans.   Spray cans tend to burst in the luggage compartment due to the lack of pressurization.   Makes one hell of a mess !

Great, thanks a lot!. Yes, I was considering more the weathering and pigment sets in the checcked baggage.

Oil pastels have been around since around 1925 - Picasso was probably one of the first artists, in the traditional sense, to use them regularly.   In the modelling hobby, I'm not aware of them being used to any degree.   It is actually just pigment mixed with oil and a binder, usually wax.   If you ever tried them on paper, you'll notice they quickly build up a surface texture, which really wouldn't do well on on a scale kit and all it's detail.

As suggested, you can "melt" the colour down with some type of thinner, but essentially you can do the same thing by thinning down regular model paint.

So you really want the dry, chalk pastels type.

regards,

Jack

jgeratic nailed it on the differences

the chalk pastels create a better weathering effect for muds, dirts, and the likes.

You can also use the chalk pastels for making a wash. Leave the oil pastels alone. they are for the artist looking to create "depth" where a chalk pastel is a flat medium that can be used as a shade with moving your finger, where as the oil based ones don't "shade" that well.

Be sure to put it in your checked baggage and in zip lock bags. And be sure to be honest about it to security and let them know it is there. I noticed the security is less strict than it was just after 9/11. Good luck!

Hi, I finally was able to visit it!.

Yes, the store is huge, however its not all dedicated to scale modeling, most of the store is set up for trains, remote controlled stuff, chidlrens activities, puzzles, etc.

I counted only 4 aisles of scale modeling. I was a little dissapointed , expected more variety and selection of weathering sets, pigments, there seems to be only one of each of everything.

also the store felt outdated...

The service is excellent and helped me with some good advice on stuff.

I wish I was able to put more things in the luggage, I was not able to buy any model, boxes are huge and will not fit with 5 days of clothing, shoes, $300 usd I spent on pigments, tools, dremel, and couple of coach purses for my wife.....

All and all, I do will visit it again next time... it does have the basic stuff,, maybe until I found a better store.

I have tried to buy paints but it is a NO NO for any company due to USPS and any other carrier to put them on a plane, even that they are acrylic. So Im stuck with what I can found locally and in Mexico City.

Thanks I did that, put pigments, weathering sets in ziploc bags, did not had any problems.

Thanks!!