The word challenge this week had two that I thought would fit perfectly with an old cement entryway.
Old Gate is an oil pastel painting is 5×7 in size. The piece was painted on tinted Yellow Ochre pastel paper. The surface is not one that accepts a wet underpainting so this was painted with only oil pastels. Because there is no grit on the surface it makes for pushing oil pastels around a bit more difficult, so I used mainly Senneliers which is a very creamy brand of oil pastels that eased the tension for spreading the OP around. The texture on the cement walls came about by adding many layers in a variety of colors, using a stump to spread and drag across the OP, and then dragged harder oil pastels across the last few layers. This left the impression of cement cracks/crevices and old stains.
Outside gates and entryways have always held an appeal to me and for the longest time I’ve wanted to do a painting series on outside gates and entryways. I thought with this weeks challenge it would be a good time to get my feet wet with this subject – this is my first time painting an old cement entryway. I learned a lot with this piece and will definitely do more in the future using a different surface so it can be prepared in a way that’s more conducive for painting this type of subject.
Oil Pastels by Mary 
A lovely gate and a lovely rendition. By the way, I have nominated you for the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award. Check this link for details – http://countryliving4beginners.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/more-to-blogging-than-blogging-3/ .
Hi Dorann, thank you so much for your lovely comment! And, thank you for the new award – I really appreciate it and will do what I can to get right on recognizing other fantastic bloggers! Thanks again, it means a lot.
Something about half opened gateways isn’t there Mary .. inviting a peep round the side just to see what is beyond … Think you have got just the effect you were after … if the gate was closed I might be tempted to shin up your wall hoping not to scraze my knees Lol
Hi Poppy, so nice to have you back! Yes I also love outside doorways – I have quite a few that I can make a series of. Thanks so much ~
Love the tones! Lovely theme! 😀
Hi Patricia, thank you very much!!
VERY Nice!
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment Nawfal!
Gates and entryways are truly extremely interesting and yours is very inviting, Mary!
🙂
Thank you Marina for your lovely comment!
This is really nice. Love your light beyond the gate…beckoning us! Gates and doorways have always held a strong attraction for me. I look forward to seeing the future projects, too.
Hi Cyndi, thank you for your great feedback – I too was attracted in the warm glow of the sunset.
I would like to walk through that gate way and see what is there ! I can feel the sweet smell of grasses in fresh air ! 😃❤
Really beautiful painting, Mary! ❤❤❤
Love it😃
Hi Violet – so glad you enjoyed the scene. I wondered the same thing – what’s behind this interesting little place. Thank you for your lovely comments!!
Love. Love. Love. Beautiful and symbolic.
Thank you so much – don’t you just love these little special places. Oh if only these old walls could talk!
For some reason my immediate thought was – at least it wouldn’t squeak (if it’s done in oil).
Nice.
LOL, what a great response! How funny and thanks for making my morning brighter. Glad you liked the painting.
🙂
Beautiful gate and sky, Mary! You really have the talent of making the viewer feel like she’s right there when looking at your paintings! 🙂
Hi Calee, thank you so much! I’m glad the painting provokes this type of response – I wanted the viewer to feel they could walk right up to the wall and touch it.
I love old doorways and walls and this gate is a lovely example of an old entrance. Beautiful subtle colours.
Thank you Dawn! During my spare time I want to work on a series of these old entryways, there is something nostalgic about them that appeals to me.
I’d love to walk through the gate Mary. Love the wispy foliage.
Thank you Elena! The scene was off a street in the Bahamas, with trees that have long skinny branches and wispy leaves.