#11 in the rock challenge. This special scene got me back to painting the sea, it may be small in size, but for the time being I was happy to feel the water again using oil pastels.
Wharariki (oil pastel, 5×7) is one of those iconic scenes of New Zealand that I’ve wanted to paint for a while. The boulders are massive showing the wear and tear of having gotten slammed by nasty storms. I love that the boulders are close enough so some of the details show, including moss/seaweed growth from the sea water and atmospheric moisture (check out how high that green seaweed goes!).
Only four paintings to go in the challenge ~ thanks for checking in.
Wharariki South Island, NZ, #11
Reference image was from Lindy Clarkson, a great photographer with pmp.
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PLEASE DON’T COPY OR USE MY IMAGE WITHOUT RECEIVING MY PERMISSION FIRST – SEE DISCLOSURE ON THE RIGHT PANEL.
Oil Pastels by Mary 
Love this painting dear Mary and mostly love the reflection! It is amazing ❤️
Thank you Violet – would love to see this place in person one day.
Yay, a scene from my country. 🙂 But not one I have seen in person. Beautiful.
Excellent, Mary! These rocks have tales to tell, and their reflections guard those tales. A very evocative piece.
Thanks Elena – the strength of those rocks and the reflections spoke to me. Very cool comment – love it!
That reflection on the wet sand is superb!!
Thanks Eva, glad you enjoyed the piece!
What a spectacular presentation of a magnificent shore. I am so impressed with your talent.
Hi Dorann, thanks – you know how to make my evening even better!
This is wonderful. You are so talented.
Thanks Elizabeth! I’ll bet you are starting to get some beautiful Fall photographs in the Northeast right about now ~
I agree with everyone here…the reflection in the water is superb! Beautiful painting. I can almost smell the ocean and feel the breezes. Loving your rock challenges!
Thank you Rhonda! Susan (see sefeiak below) and I are going to the beach for a walk, picking up M.R. (see below) along the way, do you want to join us?
Great work Mary! Its always worth to take some time and have a look on your blog! Kind regards, Alexandra
Thank you so much Alexandra for your beautiful compliment, means a lot.
For a moment, I thought you’d come down to our part of the world !!! :-\
But no: you’re continuing your art journey through photographs. Fairy nuff. Because your work ends up much nicer than a photo ! 🙂
I thought you’d have fun with this one M.R. – I did think about you when I was painting this beautiful scene. Don’t know how close it is to where you live, but what a wonderful place to walk the beach! Thank you, appreciate your beautiful compliment.
Wow Mary this is a powerful piece indeed! The size of the rocks is most impressive and is beautifully executed, color and texture perfection. I must admit that the part where my eyes are the most attracted is the reflection, now that is just superb! Beautiful study once again and is getting better and better!!!
Hi Eva, thank you so much – what a beautiful assessment of this painting it was a great scene to study on rocks and paint water. I’ll bet the boulders are incredible structures to see in person. I like painting the sea in larger sizes, so at 5×7 it was a challenge because of the size and making sure the perspective was right. Really enjoyed this painting, thank you!
Love the reflection of the rocks in the water. Lovely work, Mary.
Thank you Evelyne for your comments! It was a relaxing scene to paint, which I had a good stretch of a beach to walk today.
Another well resolved work, Mary, Great talent!
Thank you John, appreciate the compliment.
I love the reflection on the sand. So beautiful!
Thank you Francesca, really appreciate it!
I’m seeing a progression in your rock studies..it almost seems that you are really learning some secrets and this is becoming not so laborious as it was earlier…hooray, and Rock On!
Hi Cynthia, thanks for your “eye” with this latest rock study. I’m afraid I have two more studies coming up that will most likely be the “oh no, what did I get myself into” type of rocks to paint. But they’ll have everything from extreme textures to environmental influences!
I continue to admire how you go for it!
Well there are times, like today, when I wonder “what am I doing.” So yeah, the next two are going to challenge me in a big way! Then what’s a challenge for the subjects are challenging. Hope you are enjoying your evening.
Gorgeous! I love the reflection!
Hi Mamie, so nice to see you and thank you very much for your lovely comment!
Of course! Your work always inspires me!
Are you back in school? Any good projects coming up?
Wow! I’m speechless! I love the reflection 🙂
Thank you, means a lot!
Stunning! I can feel the water too. I want to walk on that beach!
Thanks Susan, I’ll join you – off we’ll go, pick up M.R. in the process and have a ball. It does look like a nice place to go for a walk – appreciate your comment!
And again, I find myself being educated by you…Your work here made me curious enough to go looking again. I looked up Wharariki to see what you were basing this from. It is an incredible landmark! I love your colours in your nice painting…I think you captured the greens in the water and the green against the rocks marvellously!
Please exclude the word “nice” up there. I never use the word nice to describe art, never. That’s a leftover word from when I was trying to talk about your colours and changed my wording! 🙂
Don’t even think about, worrying about it! Thank you ~
Hi A! Very cool, glad you were able to find Wharariki – is it a great spot or what! Thank you for your feedback and comments. Much appreciated!!