There’s no question that oil pastels can give even the most seasoned artist a challenge, I say, bring it on. Because the medium never dries value ranges become ever more important in dramatizing a scene. Painting waves gives the kind of challenge I spoke of and if I’m going to tackle a wave, then I look for the most intriguing and different looking ones that I can find.
On December 11, 2013 a blogger Earthstills (located somewhere in South Africa near Capetown) posted a photograph of the most fantastic close-up of a wave that I have seen in a long time. So I asked Earthstills for permission to use his photograph as reference to paint this wave in oil pastels, I was thrilled when he said yes with criteria to give him credit and let him see the painting. The swirl of sea-foam looked like silk or smooth taffy as it was backlit by the sun – simply stated, gorgeous. Thank you Earthstills, your image is priceless . . . you can see his photograph for yourself at http://earthstills.wordpress.com/2013/12/11/sea-fever/#comment-2076
Sea-Foam Swirl, (oil pastel, 8×10) was the challenge of all time, I loved it! The wave was backlit and had thrashed about leaving swirls and holes that Earthstills caught with perfect timing. I turned up the intensity of the overall light allowing me to capture a bit more of the colors in the forefront of the wave. This was a great piece to work on, really loved capturing the kind of exotic movement that Earthstills caught with his lens.
Hope you enjoy . . .
Oil Pastels by Mary 
This is incredible!! I love the movement!
Thanks Mamie – the unusual movement of the waves is what caught my attention.
Wow, amazing!! You have worked some magic with the colour, light and motion, I love it! Thank you again for sharing your talent in this way 🙂
Thanks very much for your nice comments – glad you enjoyed the painting. Can’t thank you enough for your generous permission to use your photograph – it’s one of the best wave close-ups I’ve seen! Have a great weekend!
The energy is palpable-gorgeous!
Thanks Elena. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
That is amazing! You have captured the photograph so perfectly it’s hard to tell one from the other. It’s nature at it’s best and art that follows.
Oh Dorann, you certainly know how to make me feel great! In this case, I think nothing could surprise what nature gave us, Earthstills was quick enough to capture such fantastic action.
Gorgeous!!
Thanks Patricia!
Beautifully interpreted! 😀
Thank you Jackie!
Very good. Love the blues you got.
Thank you Kerry!
Wonderful work Mary. You’ve captured it so well.
Thank you Don very much for your kind comments on this piece.
Ah, lovely work, Mary. I love your “sea-foam swirl” [great title btw!] 🙂
You know how to make my day, thank you so much Maria!! Now I’m off to begin my new drawing – hope you are well and enjoying your Thursday.
Catching up [still tired from the move…]
Hope you’re having a beautiful relaxed Thursday! 🙂
I’ll bet you are, takes a while to get the energy level back up – not too worry, you’ll be stronger than before. Had a great day, lots of progress and will start my next painting – then relax the rest of the night.
You paint the sea so well!!! Love this!
Thank you for your generous comment, means a lot. I keep seeing areas that I could work out more – might have another go after it sets for a while.
It is beautiful. Again for me who can’t draw and paint, I am in awe with visual artists’ work. Your tools seem so much more complex than words.
Thank you Evelyne for your nice comment – really appreciate your kind words, because it takes me a long time to write the words don’t come easily. Isn’t it interesting? It’s why I have great admiration for writers – back at you!!