Everyone makes these mistakes without realizing it. Change the way you do things. Colorful dance. Don’t yell with your strokes; whisper. Take care of your art like it’s a secret you really want to keep. That’s how the magic of Harmonious Pastels really works.
Mistake #1: Using Pastels Like Paints or Pencils
You wouldn’t use a spoon to chop a steak, would you? You need to use a different method for harmony pastels. A lot of new people press and drag like they’re using a humbly. What happened? Messy smudges and murmurs of frustration. Pastels need a light touch; let the stick slide. Don’t think of bear hugs; think of butterfly kisses. Instead of pushing aggressively, layer gradually. Soft touches. Add more color. Take a step back often. Squint. Your work suddenly feels alive, not too much or too little. Your friends will be curious about what magic you did. Truth? More is less.
Mistake #2: Sticking with “safe” color combinations
Even experienced people have nightmares about color theory. If you just use baby blues, dusty pinks, and pale lemons because they “go together,” your results will be weak. That safe way? It doesn’t thrill very often. You might be surprised at how Harmony pastels explode. Take a chance on rusty orange next to misty teal. Try a subtle lavender shadow. At first, you might be scared, but this bravado pays off. Do you remember the first time you put salt on a pineapple? Same feeling. Sometimes, trust your gut and shut off your head.
Mistake #3: Not paying attention to fixatives and paper choices
People forget this step all the time. They say, “I’ll just frame it; it’ll be fine,” and then they watch their effort disappear onto the mat. Not the kind of disappearing act that’s fun. The correct surface is more important than you believe. Sanded paper holds pigment quite well. Every time you accidentally smear regular sketching paper, you curse beneath your breath. And concerning fixatives, use them, but be careful. Colors disappear if you add too much. They smear if you don’t use enough. Try it out on scraps first. There is a big difference.