The theme for the 2013 Oil Pastel Society’s annual competition is ‘Journey;’ my 1st competition left me wondering how does one consider a theme. Realizing I gave too much time to interpreting what they would be looking for, I finally decided to paint three pieces that expressed my vision for Journey through a seascape, landscape and a building. I wanted each painting to be a personal challenge either by a new technique or subject that I hadn’t pursued before. Here is my first entry . . .
Twilight View was created using a reference image taken from a high point looking out to sea from the Hartland Peninsula in North Devon, England. Elaine Cross was the photographer, she’s incredibly talented from pmp. This scene touched my soul; the gorgeous subdued colors of twilight graced the sky and cascaded over the water. I knew that the vantage point of viewing this wonderful image from the peaks on the peninsula would be a perfect subject for Journey, as it speaks of contemplating new beginnings.
The oil pastel painting measures at 14×11 and was painted on a gessoed prepared hardboard. Twilight colors are softer and more quiet than a full sunset, because of that I wanted a darker under-tone to this piece, I experimented with a Black and White acrylic underpainting – it turned out to be a perfect choice and gave the painting the atmosphere that I was looking for. Burnt Sienna or Vandyke Red were considered, but I was concerned that the under-tone from these colors would have been too bright and would have produced a whole different feel to the piece. That was a new technique I tried, and the second area that I’ve not had a lot of experience painting was a view from a high vantage point.
Here is Twilight View,
Oil Pastels by Mary 
Great work !
Love the light and shadow, it is wonderful in your painting !!!
Hi Petronette, thank you so much! I really appreciate that you mentioned the light and shadow, these two elements are what made the scene so special. Thanks ~
So serene.. somewhat mystical. Beautiful!!!
Hi Kara – thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it!
Amazing work!! It looks so real!! It gives me so much peace… 🙂 thanks for sharing it!!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment!
Simply lovely.
Thank you Mona!
Gorgeous!
Thank you!!
Great work as always Mary.
Thank you Mark I really appreciate your kind words.
The detail of the waves as they hit the shore are beautiful! What a treturous place!
Hi Jasmine, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. You’re right, from what I understand if you loose your footing you’re in for a very bad ride down the cliff! Thanks for mentioning the waves, my favorite part to paint.
Well they looked AMAZING! Did I send you a link to download some of my music? IT’s free and you can listen while you pain!!!
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My goodness this is gorgeous!!! Your oil pastels are beautiful and I think they are a very difficult medium to work with. I’ve tried them. I really like the soft colors of the sky against that strong foreground.
Hi Leslie, thank you so much for your generous comments. If you have good quality OPs, they can be a really wonderful medium to paint with – like Senneliers are creamy as butter. The sky was a lot of fun developing, the underpainting really helped in this piece.
Hi Mary,
I think your underpainting was inspired and the color would have overpowered the softness of the pastel work. You do the most amazing things with what i think are very difficult little things to master-those pastels. I always end up with more on me than my board. Not that stops me trying but what you produce is so amazing, I just stare at them and know i should stick to paint. 🙂
XO
Hi Linda, you are so kind. I really appreciate your comments especially about the color, you are a master when I see your work – wonderful compliments, thank you! I love oil pastels, but I admit my hands get filthy with the paint, lol – especially with this painting.
Just amazing Mary, I love your work not just because you present super colours and light presentation but the story that come with it. You are great thinker and a very well person that do the preparation. I most enjoy to see your commitment and obsarvation of every project you do. That is very gifted approach in my view that I always enjoy to watch and learn from I wish you a very good luck.
Hi Doron, you’re very kind. Thank you for your comments, I appreciate the spirit in which they were given. You know I don’t know any other way to work my project paintings, I have to plan – mainly because I rarely can do a painting spontaneously – in that I like knowing the road I’m going to take. And while that road may change, it’s having a planned route that guides me – this is my comfort zone. Thank you for your good wishes.
You are welcome and there is nothing wrong with planning and going safe.. routine is the best way, although you always bring each time more knowlegde in.
I agree Doron – looking forward to seeing your recent paintings!
What glorious painting Mary . How you’ve captured that dusky pink of twilight is just perfect , and with the subtle light filtering through the clouds there onto the ocean water and rocky outcrop it makes for something truly special . Love it .
Thank you very much Poppy, a beautiful assessment! You are always so supportive and encouraging in your comments, I can’t tell you how appreciative I am to have you as a follower.
What an amazing painting! I could get lost in it forever. Thanks so much for sharing it. 😀
Hi Jackie, thank you for your gracious comments. For me as an artist, it doesn’t get any better when a painting I’ve done takes the viewer right into the scene – you made my morning. Thanks!
Gorgeous light in this painting….you have come a long way.
Actually the name of the show isn’t really a theme, but just a name for the show.
Oh Pat, means a lot to read your comment. You are a mentor to me, someone who I learned a lot about oil pastels and painting from – I owe you a huge thank you. LOL if you only knew how long I spent on the theme, in the end it all worked out okay – so funny.
How I want to be there! The masterful way that you rendered the light is inspired. Beautiful, Mary.
Thank you so much Elena, your comments made my day! The light is what drew me to paint the scene, thank you for mentioning it.
The water and the light…through the clouds and as reflected on the water…really brings this to life. You have a winner!!
Hi Cyndi, hope you are well. Thank you so much for commenting. The water and light are what drew me in, it was a great experience painting this piece. Thanks ~
Hi Mary, I am constantly astounded by the images you consistently produce!
You are very kind outside authority! Thank you so much for wonderful comment, they are appreciated ~
Absolutely stunning work! Love it!
Thank you very much for your gracious comments!
It’s gorgeous, Mary!!! Good luck, I hope you win! 😀
Hi Calee, thank you very much for the good wishes and your beautiful comments. Thanks!
Mary, this is a gorgeous painting. Such a beautiful view!
🙂 Happy Monday!
Hi Marina and Happy Monday to you as well. Thank you for your wonderful feedback, this was such an interesting scene to tackle and oil pastels worked perfectly. Thanks!
A commanding perspective from atop the cliff, looking down, a wonderful twilight view with the rays and sparkling water… absolutely beautiful, Mary
Hi Scott, you got what I was aiming for from a viewers perspective! Thank you very much for your gracious feedback and lovely comments.
Your painting is beautiful. I like that you are expressing your own vision for the theme. Annie
Thank you Annie – the image was such a perfect scene to use as a reference. It was a lot of fun to work on.
Beautiful light Mary.
Hi Don, thanks!
Wow, fantastic coloring and light.
Thank you Brian, really appreciate your visit and comments!
Mary, this is fantastic! Not only that you have challenged yourself, but that it came out beautifully. The way you painted the water, ripples of the waves, feel so real. I could almost hear the soft rhythm the waves braking. The reflection on the water is also very impressive. You did a great job softening the edges and brightening the center. The soft twilight message is perfect!!! This piece deserves a win!! 😀
Wow Patricia, beautiful comments and you know very much appreciate your feedback. The water was the most challenging in getting the light and colors accurate, so happy you noticed. Guess what? My painters knife came in real handy for working the sea foam coming over the waves.
Glad to hear! 😀