‘Tis the season for all things sweet and festive, and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than by creating your own spearmint-themed artwork? Oil pastels are a fun and versatile medium to use for Christmas art drawings, as they allow for both bold, vibrant colors and delicate shading techniques.

Artistic Background

As an artist, I am constantly in awe of the power of art. From the tiniest doodle to the grandest masterpiece, art has the ability to move us, inspire us, and transport us to another world.

For me, art is more than just a hobby or a form of self-expression – it is a true passion. There is something truly magical about the process of creating something from nothing, of taking an idea and turning it into a tangible, living work of art. Whether I am painting, drawing, or even just doodling, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction and joy as I watch my ideas take shape and come to life.

Inspiration – Why I Chose to Make a Holiday Art Oil Pastel Drawing

Where does one find inspiration for their art? The answer is different for everyone, but for me, inspiration can be found in just about anything. A beautiful sunset, a fascinating conversation, a poignant poem – all of these things have the potential to spark an artistic idea.

For this simple drawing, I was inspired by the nostalgia of eating spearmint candies (which are obviously superior to peppermint candies…) around Christmas time as a kid and I wanted to share some of that joy with you.

How to Create Your Own Spearmint Christmas Oil Pastel Drawing

Draw with me! Check out our time lapse artwork pastel tutorial video on how to make this easy oil pastel drawing for beginners.

Art Supplies Used

To get started on your pastel drawing for beginners or for the seasoned artist, gather your materials. You’ll need a set of oil pastels, a piece of drawing paper, and a reference photo of a spearmint candy (or you can just use your imagination). Oil pastels are known for their creamy, smooth texture, which makes them easy to blend and layer.

I used the following art supplies for my fun art piece:

• Crayola oil pastels 
• Crayola colored pencils
• Pencils
• White gel pen 
• Fan brush
• Multimedia paper
• Masking tape 

Start By Sketching and Adding Your Base Colors

Begin by sketching out the basic shape of the candy using light pressure on the oil pastels. You can use any color for this step, as it will be covered up later. I will usually make my sketch with pencil since it’s easy to keep the pressure light when drawing. It’s easy to accidentally press too hard while using oil pastels and then your sketch may be visible in your end piece. 

I like to tape my multimedia paper to a board or canvas of some kind using masking tape to avoid crumpling my piece while I’m working.

Next, start adding in the base colors for the candy. For a traditional spearmint look, use white for the main part of the candy and a bright green for the stripes.

Techniques for Creating Your Oil Pastel Drawing

To create a more realistic texture in your artwork, try using a color blending technique called “scumbling.” To do this, lightly scribble one color over another and then blend the two together using a paper blending tool or your finger. This will give the spearmint candy a more textured, organic look. 

Scumbling is a little hard to do depending on the oil pastels you have, the creamier the pastel the easier it is, so you can also achieve a blended look by using the oil pastels themselves. You can color with one pastel and blend with another by mixing the two colors together on your paper instead of using your fingers or a blending tool.

Once you have the basic colors in place, start adding in the details. Use a darker green to define the edges of the stripes and add depth to the candy. You can also use a darker shade of white or gray to create shadows and add dimension to the main part of the candy. To avoid making the candy look “dirty” use a blueish gray rather than the classic gray. 

It is helpful to have a fan brush to clean off your piece every now and then from unwanted oil pastel crumbs to avoid accidental smudging. I also like to add fine details by using colored pencils and gel pens for highlights.

You’ve Got This! – Enjoy Making Your Christmas Oil Pastel Drawing

Don’t be afraid to have fun with your artwork! You can use oil pastels to create a festive background or add holiday-themed details like holly or mistletoe. With a little bit of creativity and some practice, you’ll be creating beautiful spearmint candy drawings in no time. Happy holidays!

For an oil pastels demonstration of my creation of this spearmint simple drawing, check out our relaxing video, and remember to have fun with your artwork: