Edges in paintings is such an interesting subject and technique. I’ve been working on improving my painting edges whether they are soft, hard or lost and found. Have had an interesting discussion going on PMP site about the subject and will write a post on my blog with the highlights perhaps next week.
Today I finished Golden Pears (5×7) using Mi-Teintes Bisque tinted pastel paper, with a limited palette. This was fun, quick and proved to me that light and shadows are big players in helping to determine the type of edges to use in bringing the viewer to the focal point.
Let me apologize upfront because the photograph is a little fuzzy – had a difficult time in getting the camera to provide a clear focus on the painting. But you get the idea ~
Oil Pastels by Mary 
I love everything about this painting: the composition, the leaves and the warm golden color of the pears. Precious!!!
Thank you Francesca for your feedback and comments. I have several more pear comps to try out, I really enjoyed painting this piece. Wondering how your new dog is doing?
Sofia is doing great! Thanks for asking. Have a lovely weekend! 🙂
Mary, I love your work and this is no exception!
You always know how to make my day just right – thank you so much Dorann. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Beautiful Mary! I am also very concerned with edges lately. You’ve managed with perfect chiaroscuro to achieve what you set out to do. I’m also enjoying the limited palette here. So very well done!
I really do consider you a master and am always inspired by your paintings – thank you so much for your comment. There isn’t a whole lot of material discussion around the subject, even in my art books the subject is usually skimmed over, so I’m hoping that my studies will start to have an effect in how I address a subject whether still life or floral. Thanks again and hope you have a wonderful weekend!
beautiful play between the soft edges across the form and hard edges for the cast shadows – lovely colors!
Thank you so much for noticing – edges have been on my mind lately as an area that I need to develop. Thanks!!
Lovely study of pears. Was it a real-life study? I think pears are beautiful fruit to have about the house.
Thank you very much! This particular study was done from a reference image from Wetcanvas image reference library – as a member I have access to thousands of photographs taken by their members that I can use to paint from. I was looking for pears to paint the other day, but my photographs were not coming out as I envisioned, they were not nearly as gorgeous as the still life I found in Wetcanvas.
What a wonderful resource.
And we call this nature morte, while your pears are so alive. Beautiful work, Mary.
Thanks Evelyne!
Oh my gosh, so very beautiful!! I painted a pear today and was surprised to see yours when I logged on. Your pears are much, much better than mine. I hope to be able to paint like you one day! Love this piece Mary.
You are way too kind, thank you very much for your beautiful comment.
This is wonderful, Mary. I love the old world look….the blemishes on the fruit….the warm colors….simple and striking composition. Really lovely. 🙂
Thank you so much Sharon for your generous comments.
Reblogged this on Patricia Awapara Blog.
Wow Mary, this is such a beautiful composed piece. The contrast is impeccable. Beautiful! 😀
Thank you so much Patricia – really appreciate receiving your encouraging comments!!
This is beautiful, Mary!
Thank you Linda!! Hope you are getting some of that badly needed rain.
Interesting to explore. I’m always wondering about edges, to blur, to not blur, how much edge, etc. Very good idea to sit down and just explore edges.
Hi Kerry, thanks and this is basically what I’m doing exploring and seeing what comes of it. This one worked more easily because of the shadows – it’s a scene with extreme light that will be the interesting challenge. Hey, just want you to know I went out to Amazon and found the book I recommended in my last post – used for $5.99, if you go onto that post I included the link on my reply to you.
Tell you what. Any of your work you decide you don’t like, just send it over, OK?
😀
So funny M.R. Thanks very much for that beautiful compliment. Have a good evening!
Mary that is great only the great masters were able to partly paint into the shades and us the viewers can imagine what we saw. Your light and shadow are great.
Hey Doron I hope you are well – thank you for your kind comment. So appreciate your encouraging support always. Thanks ~
Have a good weekend my dear friend x