To me, there is nothing like letting a brilliant sunset warm the senses as it bursts with its gorgeous colors only nature can create. I love the explosion of colors that the sun illuminates the sky with as it sets – for an artist its excitement on steroids. I love them and decided a couple of months ago to do a series of sunsets. The four underpaintings are done let me introduce you to the first completed painting, Sunset Bursting Rays.
This is an oil pastel, 11 x 14, completed with a soft pastel underpainting and an alcohol wash. I’ve included a picture of the underpainting so you could see the beginning stages of this piece. An issue that Oil Pastelists contend with, is we can’t do glazes or tints to get the illusion of see-through because oil pastels never fully dry. To create see-through sun rays I used pieces of pipe insulation to spread very thin layers of oil pastels without disturbing the under layers of cloud paint.
May your day be just a little brighter!
Sunset Bursting Rays
Sunset Bursting Rays Underpainting
Oil Pastels by Mary 
This is so beautiful, Mary! Wow!
Hi Lorrie, thanks very much – I haven’t looked at this painting in a long time. Nice to revisit, glad you enjoyed the burst of color!
I’m happy you got to revisit… 🙂 Have a super rest of the weekend Mary!
Thank you Lorrie and the same to you!!
SO beautiful!! Mary, you are a-m-a-z-i-n-g! 😀
Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment. Enjoy your day ~ Mary
Just dropped by to say hello and see how things are going, and I am blown away by your latest piece. Gorgeous!
Oh Patricia, it’s so nice to hear from you. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment and encouragement.
I’ve been wondering how you are doing, just went to your blog the other day, but no updates. Hope all is going well with your writing.
Thanks and take care, Mary
Mary, your latest piece is just wonderful. I love the feeling…Bob
Well hey Bob, nice to see you. Thank you so much for your comment, I really appreciate it!!
Beautiful painting !
Hi Petronette! Thank you so much, appreciate your comment. Mary
Sooooo beautiful, Mary ! Beautiful art on sky canvas !
Thank you so much Violet, I needed a warm scene after the snow paintings. Glad you liked it!
Simply beautiful
Thank you, much appreciated!
You’re welcome
Love the boldness of color!
Thank you, I appreciate your comments very much! Nice to meet you.
it’s unanimous; you’ve captured an amazing beauty of a sunset! well done and soothing! z
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. Everyday it’s a learning process for me, glad that you liked this one.
Mary, you’ve managed to achieve a wonderful glaze effect-terrific!
Well thank you!!! I have a ways to go w/figuring out getting a glaze-like appearance w/oil pastels, so your comment was like music to my ears. Thanks!
What a stunning picture Mary. Thank your for sharing it.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your feedback!
Oh, sensational. I’m thinking of William Blake’s artwork now.
Morning Apotheosis (suggested title).
Oh Ariel’s Prospero how divine – ha I understand! Thank you for the compliment regarding William Blake, I’m flattered as he was quite the artist of his time. Thank you so much. Excellent suggestion for a title – I’ll remember this!
One of my dreams… was to realize a sunset, I’m not the only one it seems 🙂 Stunning
Well, there you go. Thank you for your wonderful comment. I’m hoping you find yourself a beautiful sunset and have some fun!
Thanks, that’s very kind but as I’m busy with poetry and essays too, my paintings take much longer to finish than planned
Ah, but I know there is one on the horizon for you. Take care ~ Mary
🙂
bursting with beauty 🙂
Hey Cat! Thank you so commenting, so nice to hear from you. Glad you liked the painting.
I ZOOOOOOOOMED INTO every tiny pixel and i adore it 🙂 xoxoxoxo
Oh my that totally intimidates me! But I’m glad you zoomed in. When I look into the pixels I see changes, ah well they will come at a later date. I’m still smiling – thanks!
NO 🙂 it’s the tiniest things that are beautifulllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll xxxx 🙂 meant that in a lovely way 🙂 xoxoxoxoxoxoxoo jhugs xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxox
I understand, thank you!!!!
much love xoxoxoxoxo
WOW!! Bursting indeed! Love this!
Hi Cyndi, thank you so much for your comment. Colors on this one was a lot of fun to layer in and mix, wish you could have see all the colors. At one point I was really starting to wonder if I’d be able to pull this one off. Thanks!!