Choose a surface on which to work. Apply pastels to paper, canvas, sandboard, cardboard or glass. If choosing glass, use oil pastels because the other types of pastels will not stick to the surface.
Prepare the surface with gesso so that the colors adhere better. Skip this step if you are working on glass.
Sketch your project using the tip of the pastel stick. Use a light color, which can be covered up easily, so that your sketch won't be visible when you finish your project.
Add colors to cover large areas of your composition using side strokes. Break the pastel in smaller pieces for side stroking.
Remove colors by gently scratching the surface with a cutter. Alternatively, mix the colors you want to change with more intense colors.
Add accents using hard pastels.
Spray fixative over your artwork to protect the colors and prevent smudging. Spray the fixative in a well-ventilated area. Alternatively, place the artwork under a piece of glass and frame it.