🎨 Watercolor, Oils, or Pastels? How to Choose the right medium

🎨 Watercolor, Oils, or Pastels?

How to Choose the Right Medium

Choosing the right art medium can feel a bit like choosing the right pair of shoes—it has to fit not just your style, but your pace, your comfort, and the way you walk through the world. When parents or adult students ask, “What should we start with?”, we always say: it depends on your personality and what kind of experience you’re hoping to have with art.

Watercolors, for instance, are all about flow. They move with the water, with your breath, with the tilt of the paper. They don’t always behave the way you expect—and that’s part of the magic. If you or your child loves soft edges, dreamy colors, and a little bit of unpredictability, watercolor might just feel like home. It’s also a wonderfully forgiving medium for beginners and very easy to clean up—an extra bonus for parents!

Oil painting, on the other hand, invites you to slow down. It’s a thoughtful, layered process, one that gives you time to rework and refine. Oils are lush, rich, and timeless. If your child enjoys detail, or if you’re someone who likes to work with depth and precision, oils offer a classic and deeply satisfying path. They require a bit more setup and patience, but the rewards are well worth it.

Then there’s pastel—a bit like drawing and painting had a beautiful, vibrant child. It’s bold and direct, with no brushes or water to mediate your marks. You hold the color right in your hand. It’s perfect for kids who want results they can feel instantly, or adults looking to reconnect with something raw and expressive.

The truth is, there’s no perfect medium. There’s just what feels right right now. That’s the beauty of art—it grows with you. Sometimes students begin with watercolors and fall in love with the glow. Others discover oils later and never look back. And some bounce between all three with joy and curiosity.

At Blair Center, we offer opportunities to explore all of these materials in a nurturing, creative space. We’re here to guide, encourage, and help you or your child find the path that lights up your imagination.

Want to try it out? Check out our upcoming art classes—perfect for artists of all ages and experience levels.

👉 Explore our classes now