Oh wow, Day 15 finally arrived! Only my 15 days are unlike any calendar I know – oh well, thank you for sticking with the project I learned a lot and hopefully will be able to carry some of the lessons forward in future paintings. I plan to do a post showing all 15 paintings.
This oil pastel (11×9) was painted on gray-tinted Mi-Teintes pastel paper. The painting took several days to complete, because I had to let the oil pastels setup over night to build the tree textures. I was surprised that the texture of the paper surface held up under the many layers of OPs this and by letting the painting rest overnight (the surface will harden just a bit) allowing more layers of the paint.
When I lived in San Francisco many years ago, I’d go down to Carmel a lot so when I saw a reference photograph of this special place from Kathy Paulus of pmp – I knew that this scene would be my Day 15 for the tree study.
Thank you for sticking with this project ~
Oil Pastels by Mary 
Stunning painting dear Mary! I feel the movement of clouds and water! Amazing❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you very much Violet for your generous comments. Glad you enjoyed the water scene – Carmel is a beautiful part of California.
Love the movement and energy of this tree. The backlight and color only enhance the silhouette.
Thank you Elena!
Just wonderful, Mary. Something about it seems impermanent and fleeting.
Thank you so much Sharon! Glad you enjoyed the scene – sunsets and sunrises are incredible visions, don’t you just love them.
I totally recognized this type of tree as I used to live in So. Cal. Love this piece Mary. So dramatic with the setting sun.
Thanks Rhonda! Have a wonderful 4th ~
I saw this wonderful tree yesterday, and since all of your other trees had species names, I said to myself I’ll come back later and see it again, maybe find out what kind of tree it is…so here I am for another look at the gorgeous thing, and still no name….it’s the tree from the garden of Eden, I think. Just lovely, Mary, and congratulations on the project!
Thank you Cynthia! I only know this tree as the Cypress, not exactly sure of the species name – a mate with “The Lone Cypress” in Monterey, which I hope to paint one day. Glad you enjoyed the tree project, I have a couple subjects that I plan to do other challenges around – will probably start in a week or two. Thanks ~
The sun is magically framed by this lovely waving tree Mary … lovely colours anyone would be envious of seeing at sunset …
Well done on your personal Tree challenge 🙂
Thank you Poppy! Sunsets on the West Coast are nothing short of spectacular. I remember a couple of times driving into San Francisco over the Bay Bridge as the sun was setting with the black skyline of the city against the most brilliant orange sky – wow doesn’t quite do it justice. I’m glad you enjoyed the painting Poppy!
Stunning!
Thank you Susan! Best wishes in your show.
grrrrr! i’m home, and the text loaded but the image did not! the comment bar loaded, so maybe the image will pop up later!
congratulations~ i’ll be back!
z
yes yes! it loaded, and now the comment didn’t load right and i’m typing w/o being able to see the comment box! it’s a lovely finale of a design! i love it!
Thanks Z! So glad that it finally loaded and you were able to view the painting. You know how to make my day ~
Magical moments of the sky/earth… beautiful. Thanks and Love, nia
Thanks Nia, so glad you enjoyed the piece.
What a beautiful study to finish the journey! The scene is majestic is the perfect back drop for the last tree in your series of tree challenges. I love every part of this painting, the sky, the sea and of course the tree! The light effect of the sky is just perfect for highlighting the star of your canvass. I really enjoyed and loved the fact that I could be a part of this special journey taken up by you Mary! Thank you for sharing your beautiful trees with all of us!
Thank you so much Eva I’m glad you enjoyed the series – it was a great exercise for me. I’ve had my eye on this scene for a while now and thought it would make a nice ending. The colors created by the setting sun is what caught my attention, but also the tree from the lines of the trunk to the flair of the branches. Thanks, this was fun for me to get my hands messy for.
Wow! This is the best of the series- truly magical!
Thanks Mamie, appreciate it!
So glad you are planning to do a post with all 15 tree challenges.
Thanks!
Wow! This one is truly special. I remember Carmel and those windswept trees and you have captured the beauty here and emphasized it with that beautiful sunset. I love this one Mary!
Thanks Dorann, so glad that the painting took you back to Carmel. There is nothing like a West Coast sunset, the colors are incredible.
Thank you for this gorgeous work and for Carmel.
Thanks Evelyne. Don’t you just love Carmel – one of my all time favorite spots.
Absolutely beautiful, my dear Mary! Even if the challenge is over, I wish I would see more trees from you. Happy Monday! 🙂 xx
Thank you Marina for your lovely comment. It was a good challenge, have a feeling that there will be more trees! Happy Tuesday to you!
Brilliant light effect!
Thanks so much – the light is what attracted me to paint this scene.