Oil pastels are created from ground pigment with oil as the binder. Oil pastels have the same variation in textures that soft pastels do. Some oil pastels are a little smoother than others, some tacky, and some are stiffer. Oil pastels can be blended and thinned with brushes that are wet with mineral spirits or thinners. Oil pastels are a great tool for artists to work out painting ideas in their heads before diving into a canvas.