Oh my I’m really behind with everything today. Here’s my excuse – went to the studio to spend maybe 20 minutes to work with the red candle painting, and before you know it three hours flew by (I mean, really?)! Not that excited with the final outcome, but that’s what experiments are all about ~
Loved receiving your feedback on the first versions, they were helpful and had me think about viewer’s perspective. A real good exercise. Susan was right the piece needing a little green (added to the background wall); the painting looked a little lost with just a candle and table, so a candle snuffer was added and the table length was extended. So the painting is completed, I think a landscape will win out for the Christmas card this year.
I’m getting very excited about a snow scene that’s on my easel . . . more on that tomorrow (no way will it be finished today).
This was fun though – thanks again!
Red Candle, #1
Red Candle, #2
Red Candle, #3
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Oil Pastels by Mary 
The artwork is perfect.
Thank you John!
You are welcome.
To be absorbed is GOOD 🙂 I really do like the addition on that candle snuffer Mary .. but I think I can hear you veering onto those snow scenes .. did you have any by the way last weekend I wonder ..
Hi Poppy, love your comment! And, BTW I just putting some finishing touches, based on everyone’s comments and now I’m very happy and will post in just a moment – man did this one take the cake, or what! LOL ~
We actually had a light dusting of snow, with temps two days in a row at high 20’s (incredible). But, my family lives in Upstate NY and they are snowed in – still trying to get through, plus they are predicting another two feet on Friday. They are in a for very long winter – it’s pretty and one can get really tired of it quickly.
They even had some footage of it on the news here .. as you say Mary pretty but …
Mary,
Elegant in its simplicity, this still life speaks to me of focus and in a certain way, hope.
My best to You
john
John you are so generous in your comments, I look at the painting as a failed experiment and you see hope. Bless you heart, that kind of encouragement is appreciated more than you know – my problem, I have a lot of tenacity and rarely give up. So I might just reinvent this with colors that speak to me, it’s hard to warm up to this one. Thank you John!
Love the addition of the candle snuffer… looking forward to your beautiful snowy landscapes!
Thanks Eva – you are so kind – as I sit here and laugh. Your great suggestion isn’t even showing up in this final version, lol. I’m going to let it sit to harden a bit and see what if anything I can do to bring another dimension or perhaps start all over (and I do have another color theme in mind that may work). In the meantime I’m off to the studio – have a great day!
Hi Mary, I like the progressions you’ve gone through, but must say you shouldn’t give up yet. Love the idea of this candle for a card. May I suggest maybe adding more creamy red candle wax, thicker…dripping off the sides of the candle…and perhaps some light reflecting on the table and the wall from the flame? Version 3 is my fav. I think this is already beautiful and just needs a few more highlights. (Forgive me if you have already done so, it’s difficult to tell from the photo). xoxo
Thanks Rhonda – I really like your suggestions and will let the painting sit another day or so so it hards a little more that will make it easier to add any changes. Then I should be able to build up some layered texture for red drips of wax, and add the highlights for reflection. Thanks for your thoughts – I’m not sold on the painting, there no talking back and forth like paintings usually do.
It’s a wonderful way to lose a few hours, Mary. I completely understand because I can easily lose an evening putting together a ‘walk’. It’s just so absorbing to tell the story. 🙂 No snow, thanks- I’ll close my eyes 🙂 🙂
Thank you Jo and so appreciate it. I learned and onto painting the snow scene that I’m hoping turns out as well as the underpainting. Have a nice walk where it leads you . . .
I like the additions. Looking forward to seeing the landscape that is still on the easel! Cheers
Thank you Susan, I’m so not sold on these, concept was okay but the colors in execution is a bit problematic – which is okay I have plenty of scenes to choose from. Have a great evening.