Last Updated on：March 12th, 2026

Following our previous introductory article on oil sticks, this time we will explore the theme of expanding the expression of using oil sticks. 

In this article, we examine the unique characteristics of Sennelier’s Oil Sticks by comparing them with similar materials such as conventional oil paints and oil pastels. We also share various ways to combine oil sticks with other media.

Oil sticks offer an intuitive drawing experience while providing a great potential in mixed media paintings and creating unique textured surfaces.

Therefore, without further ado, let’s discover more flexible and practical ways to use oil sticks, allowing you to translate your creative inspiration directly into forms and colors!

For more information on the characteristics and basic usage of oil sticks, please see here.

Contents

Differences from Similar Materials

[Art Materials Used]

Substrate: Water- and Oil-Resistant Synthetic Paper ((Paper Palette）

Oil Sticks: 574 Primary Yellow / 686 Primary Red

When talking about materials similar to oil sticks, traditional oil paints and oil pastels are often mentioned. Although all three contain oil as the binder, their characteristics and uses vary according to their formulations.

Comparison with Oil Paints

Difference in Ingredients

Conventional oil paints are made by mixing pigments, plant-based dry oil, natural or synthetic resin, and drying agent. On the other hand, oil sticks contain pigments, plant-based oils (such as safflower oil) and mineral wax. The key difference is the inclusion of wax, which makes oil sticks a different painting material compared to oil paints.

Unique Characteristics Created by Wax

・Maintaining Its Form

Wax is key to keeping oil sticks solid, allowing them to be held directly in hand for drawing.

・Forming a Surface Film

Because wax easily forms a thin film on the surface. It helps prevent the paste inside the stick from drying too quickly while reducing surface adhesiveness relatively quickly.

Characteristics and Application Techniques

Even within the same category of oil-based paints, differences in ingredients and form result in distinct strengths and preferred techniques.

Please refer to the comparison chart below and use it as a guide to selecting approaches that make the most of each material’s unique characteristics.

*Fat over lean:

 A technique in oil painting in which each top layer contains more oil (fat), while the bottom layers contain less oil (lean).

This method helps prevent cracking and ensures long-term stability.

*Wet-on-wet:

 A technique of applying paint on wet paint. This method allows you to mix paint directly on the painting surface.

Click here for oil paint products.

Comparison with Oil Pastels

Although oil sticks and oil pastels share a similar stick form, the key difference lies in whether they harden when dry.

Oil pastels do not truly dry, making preparation and cleanup simple. They can also be applied directly to paper without a primer.In contrast, oil sticks are “oil paint” in solid form. They dry and adhere firmly to the surface, creating a rich texture reminiscent of traditional oil painting.

Choose between them according to the type of artwork you wish to create and the materials you plan to combine.

Comparison of Characteristics Based on Ingredient Differences

Oil sticks and oil pastels use different types of oil as binders, resulting in significantly different drying processes. The following chart illustrates how these differences in ingredients affect handling and the final appearance of the work.

[When Applying Oil Paint (Including Oil Sticks) on Oil Pastels]

Oil paints that dry and harden should not be applied over non-drying oil pastels. If oil sticks or other oil paints are used on top of oil pastels, the paint will not adhere properly.
Because the underlying layer remains soft and does not dry, the upper layer may peel or crack over time.

If long-term durability is a concern, it is recommended to conduct tests beforehand or carefully plan where oil pastels will be applied.

Various Ways to Enjoy Oil Sticks

Now, we would like to introduce a variety of mixed media samples created with oil sticks in combination with other materials on different substrates.

We hope these comparisons of adhesion and color behavior across various materials will provide useful insights for your artistic practice.

For basic techniques and an introduction to working with oil sticks, please refer to the following article.

Textures Created through Mixed Media 

AQYLA and Oil Sticks

[Art Materials Used]

Substrate: Bamboo Washi Paper for Watercolor

Primer: AQYLA Modeling Paste

Oil Stick: 686 Primary Red / 574 Primary Yellow

Medium: None

[Art Materials Used]

Substrate: Bamboo Washi Paper for Watercolor

Primer: AQYLA Modeling Paste

Oil Stick: 116 Titanium White

Medium: None

AQYLA is a water-based alkyd paint. Although it is water-soluble, it has characteristics of oil-based paint, allowing it to be used together with oil paints. It can be applied not only to paper and canvas, but also to metal and glass. The surface of the paint dries quickly like acrylic paint, while the inside cures slowly like oil paint. 

When used as a base layer, AQYLA allows oil sticks to be applied even on paper, which would normally absorb oil and cause staining. 

You can enjoy arranging various underpaintings by building up the surface texture or blending colors.

Furthermore, oil sticks can be applied over AQYLA paint, and this “sandwiching” technique helps increase durability and create greater depth.

Oil Stick on Titanium Plate

Color Titanium is a material that offers a rich range of interference colors created by an oxide film with exceptional strength and corrosion resistance.

We painted Sennelier’s Oil Stick Primary Blue on this highly designed substrate. Since the Primary Blue color has a soft texture and the titanium plate has a smooth surface, a sharply pointed tool is needed to scratch clean lines into the paint before it dries.

 (*The texture and harness of oil sticks vary depending on the color and the room temperature.)

When blending oil stick colors, we repeatedly adjusted the painted surface by applying paint with a palette knife and rubbing it with a paper towel.
As a result, the unique luster of the bottom Color Titanium subtly emerged through the paint layer, creating a rich sense of nuance and depth.

[Adhesion Testing]

 This test sample was made without using a base primer. After one month, the paint remains on the surface. However, it may peel off before fully curing. For long-term preservation, applying a Metal and Glass Primer before painting is recommended.

Color Titanium Panels are available in two surface textures: the ND series, which has a rough surface and was used for this sample; and the SD series, which has a smooth and lustrous finish.They are also available in a wide range of colors and sizes, from 100 mm square samples to larger formats ranging from F6 (410 x 318mm) to F25 (803 x 652mm).

Click the link below for more information.

For further details about the Color Titanium Panels, please refer to the following articles.

Pebeo Fantasy Prisme (Oil-Based Alkyd Resin Paint) and Oil Stick

Prisme, an oil-based alkyd resin paint, is poured onto the surface after applying the oil stick and rubbing it with a paper towel to create a gradation.

This time, only a small amount was applied, so the honeycomb pattern, which is a distinctive characteristic of the Prisme series, does not appear. However, its translucency creates a stained-glass-like effect, allowing the Primary Blue applied with the oil stick to show through.

To make the honeycomb pattern more visible, a larger amount of Prisme can be poured. Layering the paint is another option if you would like to create darker or lighter tones.

The mixed media ideas introduced in this article are only a few among a wide range of possibilities.

We hope oil sticks will become a new exploration for your art practice, allowing you to enjoy creating different surface effects and qualities while discovering unexpected results.

Beyond these experiments, your own unique expressions await discovery.

【Related article】

Reference

Sennelier (Language English / French / German / Spanish)

Oil Stick    Colors in the Hand

Oil Pastel  Oil Pastels

Holbein Art Materials Inc.

Anatomy of color materials ③ Gesso base for oil paintings  (Japanese Website)

Editor & Writer

Natsuko Shiraishi

Graduated from the Textile Design at Tama Art University. She is an artist who mainly works with original Washi paper and calligraphy.

Favorite matière: Paper, dynamic moves of wood fiber

Graduated from the Textile Design at Tama Art University. She is an artist who mainly works with original Washi paper and calligraphy.

Favorite matière: Paper, dynamic moves of wood fiber

Translator

Nelson Hor Ee Herng

Graduated with a BFA in Japanese painting from Tama Art University. Using paintings, embroideries and installations to document issues related to our modern society.
Favorite material: Mineral pigments used by ancient people to paint murals.

Graduated with a BFA in Japanese painting from Tama Art University. Using paintings, embroideries and installations to document issues related to our modern society.
Favorite material: Mineral pigments used by ancient people to paint murals.