The word challenge this week included: red, autumn and crisp – I think my painting met two out of three words.
This oil pastel (11 x 14) was done with a local color underpainting. I actually did the underpainting over an older underpainting that had been waiting to be worked on. I fell out of love with the scene and decided to change it up and selected one that I’ve been wanting to paint for a while.
Fall Reflections is my salute to all the gorgeous leaves that Mother Nature supplied this year – hope you enjoy,
A reference image was used for inspiration from Janet Bowden of pmp.
Oil Pastels by Mary 
Wonderful painting Mary !
Love the reflection and beautiful colors 😃❤️
Hi Violet, thank you for your special comments on this painting!
I thought your summer images were beautiful, but then here you go with even more amazing colors and scenery. Absolutely stunning.
Emily you are so generous with your comments, thank you! I’ve made a few minor adjustments since posting, it was my first autumn scene this year. I have one or two more I’m going to try to squeeze in before the snow flies!
Ever time I come here I see something beautiful. This one makes me want to get out my pastels, but I just don’t have time right now.
Thank you very much for your kind comments – much appreciated! You live in the most beautiful State, hope you can capture the nature’s kiss of color with your pastels.
Fall so precious.
Hi Laurie, thank you so much for your nice comment – there is nothing like a perfect blue sky shining down on the colors of Fall.
This is gorgeous, Mary! Love the colours and reflections! I love all your paintings, but autumn’s my favourite season so I like it even more 🙂
Thanks Calee, I have a couple more Fall scenes that I think may get done this month – my favorite time of the year. Appreciate your wonderful comment.
Here also your reflection in the water is great !
Love the colors you used, very good painting !!!
Thank you Petronette – the water reflections were a lot of fun to do. Appreciate your comment!
I love the way all the colors of a perfect autumn day are in this painting, such a cheerful view.
Thanks Annie. There is nothing like seeing gorgeous Falls colors in person, they’re spectacular.
Mary, this is fantastic. It has so much depth! Like everyone else, I love the reflections on the water. They are amazing. My first thought when I saw the paintings – I thought it was a picture. The colors also are well distributed and natural looking. It has a peaceful feel to it! 😀
Thanks Patricia, I really appreciate it your feedback – means a lot. My photograph is showing a little too high in contrast and color saturation – not much but a bit of a difference. I have a couple of final changes to make and will re-post in the landscape gallery.
great reflactions and super showing of the season I love its colours… great
Thanks Doron for your nice comment. There is something so special about Fall colors, I don’t paint Fall scenes enough.
Mary, that’s just too beautiful!
I especially like the water reflection. What colours do you use (mix) to make it look so translucent? Really amazing.
Thank you MarySue, much appreciated! They are basically the same colors that you see in the trees – just fewer layers, and with a bit of warm grays and magenta added. To get the translucency once the layers area applied – I try not to blend too much here rather I’ll smear the OPs downward and use my finger to slightly blur sections. Then add a few horizontal lines to resemble water ripples. These two steps will help with reflections and translucency. Let me know if this answers your questions – it’s a lot of fun.
Ahhh thank you for the kind and detailed steps Mary! I still need lots and lots of practice to master the skill but now I have something to look forward to and work on. Really appreciate your prompt reply. Xx
What a wonderful painting, Mary! Makes me want to be there! 🙂 xx
Thank you so much Marina – I’m so glad the painting brings you to this place! Have a wonderful weekend!
You’ve created a blissful scene Mary with your canvas of Autumn’s colours !
Thank you Poppy, so glad you enjoyed natures’ canvas of beautiful colors! Falls is the most fantastic send-off as we look to cooler weather ahead.
It’s magic! I love this season, specially red colors!! 🙂
Hi Maria, thanks very much for your lovely comment – don’t you love Fall colors?
I love them! In my university campus there was a tree who turned so red every Fall that I have thousands of pictures of it!
What great memories to have!
Mission accomplished, Mary! The reflection is amazing! 🙂
Hi Francesca, thanks for your great feedback! Appreciate it – I think the water reflection was what drew my attention to the scene.
Mary, this is just gorgeous!
Thanks Dorann, glad you like it. You guys must have had your share of gorgeous colors this Falls season – in TX our colors are very dull. I really miss New England this time of year.
You’ve managed all of fall’s magical colors Mary. And the reflection is wonderful. So is the rest:)
Thanks Elena, I really enjoyed painting this scene especially the reflections. My camera work isn’t the best with this piece, but hopefully everyone has gotten a good feel for the scene.
Green uniformly
in spring we may learn at fall
how to be different
Isn’t that fantastic! Falls gives us the most grand colors before the land goes to sleep – I just love it. Although the many Spring greens so bright and new – hummmmm, nothing like it as we are given natures’ rebirth. Thanks very much Andrzej for your wonderful comment!
Just beautiful, Mary: exquisitely done.
Thank you Stefano for your thoughtful comments! So glad you enjoyed the painting ~
Dear Mary, I have to say I love all of your paintings! 🙂 You are incredibly talented and your art is elegant and engaging.
Thank you Stefano for your gracious and generous comments! You’ve made my day – I’m incredibly humbled. Thanks ~ hope you and Francesca have a wonderful weekend!
Absolutely exquisite work!
You’re very kind – thank you for your wonderful feedback!
First rate work!! It is a grand composition.
Thanks Craig for your nice comments! The colors of the scene and peacefulness just drew me in, couldn’t resist watching oil pastels bring this place to life on a 2-d surface.
Beautiful! At first I thought it was a photo 🙂
Thank you Esmee! I appreciate hearing from you ~
Beautiful Mary. Love the colour in the second one and the sheer energy in the first.
Hi Don, thanks for your nice feedback! It was a fun scene to celebrate the Fall season.