All good things must come to an end, at least for this year ~ the last of the sand dune series. I’ll bet you are ready to move on, me too and have several new subjects/paintings started ~
Past the Dunes, an oil pastel (5×7) painted on a prepared Ampersand Board. Oh this was one interesting painting to do – it was started some 10 days ago, but I couldn’t quite get happy with the colors and feel to the piece. There was no underpainting with this piece, whites of the board kept showing through the grass – no matter what colors I added there stood the whites. With a good couple of swipes with a razor blade, I’ve got to say some gorgeous blends started to come together, and the rest they say is history. I purposely keep the scene with a hazy-like feel to the atmosphere – letting the warmth of the day meet the viewer as they make their way down to the water.
Here’s to a lazy day at the beach ~ click onto the image for a larger view.
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Oil Pastels by Mary 
Marvelous, Mary!
Thank you Elena!
I can just feel those soft breezes whispering past! Beautiful, Mary 🙂
Exactly Jo, thanks very much. It’s imaging those soft sea breezes that make me want to pack my bags and find “the” spot. Have a wonderful weekend exploring new grounds.
I love how you captured a mood in this painting. Your use of color and texture is beautifully done. I can feel myself right there.
Thank you so much Catherine, loved your feedback. It took a while to get the shadow colors within the grass right – I had to do quite a few scrape down to get a good blend.
I love this one, Mary. Such a dreamy feel. Reminds me of the time I had a caravan at Talacre on the Point of Ayr, North Wales. An old lighthouse on the beach (haunted, some say), Little Terns diving for fish beyond. Dunes home to the rare Natterjack toad. Leisurely days with binoculars and laptop…
Thank you for the trip down Memory Lane.
Paul
Awesome comment Paul and so glad that this painting brought you pleasant memories – to me, that’s the greatest compliment. Thank you – your description sounds like a perfect day at the beach!
Lazy days at the beach…I could repeat this forever! lol
Beautiful painting, Mary!
Hi Cha – nice to see you. Thanks very much, now why doesn’t it surprise me that you connected with “lazy days at the beach!” The way life should b, right? Have a beautiful weekend.
Another peaceful scene Mary. Hope you continue to do these again at some point. They have been a delight! ~Rita
Thank very much Rita – it was a surprise project, but I really enjoyed painting these beach scenes. Painting sand was a good learning experience, that I think I’ll be able to apply to other subjects.
I can feel the grass. I love how you blended the colours, the softness. Beautiful.
Thank you, I enjoyed your description – appreciate it very much!
This is gorgeous!
Thank you so much Fiona!
This is beautiful, Mary. I wish I were sitting on that beach now!
Thanks Jill – I’m with you being close to 100 today, a sea breeze sounds good right about now. Thanks very much, nice to see you!
So beautiful, Mary! I love that yellow!
Great to see you Francesca – thanks very much!
This is wonderful Mary! Love the texture of the grass.
Thanks Jess!!
It was a great series Mary. Enjoyed every one of them and how you made me feel as though I was at the beach every time!
Thanks Rhonda – glad you enjoyed the series, painting sand dunes was a fun project to do!
Beautiful, Mary!
Thanks Patrick!
Just beautiful! I admire your talent! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Cecilia for your lovely comment and compliment – really appreciated!
I really like the hazy-like feel to the atmosphere. Great technique, Mary! 🙂
Thanks Amy – the hazy atmosphere really takes you to the shores edge. Have a great weekend.
Fabulous feel ~ so serene
Thank you for your generous comment – glad you enjoyed it!
Another delightful beach invitation.Summer’s not over. I may get there yet and your art always reminds me of the sweet winds touching the dunes at the shore.
Oh I think it’s time for you and Bill to have a nice retreat down at the shore – kick up a bit of sand and soak in the warm sea breeze. Thanks Dorann!
Looks like wheat!
Thanks Pauline!
Not ready to move on! Just beautiful, Mary.
You are so nice, thanks so much Audrey!!
Wonderful painting Mary!
Thanks Nicodemas!!
Excellent, Mary!
Thank you Fabio!!
Your techniques for making it hazy and lazy-looking are terrific Mary — it really does have that lazy summer day feeling. 🙂
That’s what it’s all about Jet – glad you caught the feeling! Nothing like a lazy summer day ~ wish I was at the oceans edge to experience the warm salty breeze.
Wonderful! Mary..loved it… 🙂
Thanks very much Maniparna – really appreciate your thoughts on this piece.
Ah, yes, it’s the time of day for my daydreaming! Beautiful, Mary! 🙂
Happy Tuesday Marina – probably Wednesday for you!! Thanks very much – I could go for some daydreaming too, glad the scene gave you a chance to dream the day away my friend!
Wonderful, Mary! I so love those mild colours!
Thanks so much Ann-Christine, I really wanted those OPs to give me some nice quiet colors and after much scraping and mixing, they showed subtly in the piece. Thanks for mentioning the colors ~
I really like the misty quality very much. I will miss your beach scenes, but looking forward to what’s coming next! Have a great night.
Hi Laura, thanks for the feedback on the misty look – I could see it in my minds-eye right from the beginning. Ah, saying goodbye to beach fun and onto landscape scenes galore! Have a wonderful evening too!
Thanks, Mary, and I look forward to your landscapes!
Gorgeous! I love all your paintings, Mary. 🙂
Thank you Sylvia for your generous comment – means a lot. Have a wonderful evening.
This painting turned out wonderful, Mary. Love the composition on this piece, it leads me into the painting. Makes me wish I was there, big time! 🙂
Thanks Janell – I really enjoyed your response to this painting. It was one of those scenes that gradually revealed itself the more I worked on it. Once I had the breakthrough with the colors and filling the background of the grasses this thing came together quickly. Thanks so much!!
I love the two distinct tones in the water and also the depth to the grass. This is a very pleasant scene, Mary!
Hi A! thanks so much – I like your observations on the water and grass, happy to read them!
This is so beautiful and peaceful. A new favorite of mine!
Thank you Mamie – very cool and glad you enjoyed the scene. Hope you are well and having a creative summer!
I feel hot and hazy and that sand looks as soft as cornstarch…..whatever you did, Mary, the feeling really comes through!
Hi Cynthia – oh so good, exactly the reaction I was hoping for!! It was a bit of a struggle to get the vision to materialize, but in the end was worth it as the series is closed-out. Thanks so much Cynthia!!
Mary, I am happy to look at your lovely painted sand dunes and not tired of them. 🙂 But, I am looking forward to seeing your new projects, too.
Thanks so much Geralyn, I really appreciate it! Will tell you my return to landscapes, well I’ve got my work cut out for me but, I’ll manage through the many challenges I’m being presented with. Thanks for checking in!!
Oh yes, here’s to a lazy day at the beach, and this image really is so evocative of that. Thank you Mary. Janet:)
Thanks very much Janet – we all need a lazy day or two, and what could be better than lounging at the beach!
I totally agree:) Enjoy.
These are so wonderful, Mary. I grew up in NW Indiana and spent my childhood summers at the Dunes National Lakeshore. Your series took me right back there. Thank you.
Great to see you Sharon – thanks very much! I haven’t heard of Dunes National Lakeshore and can’t wait to check it out online. Any time a painting draws a pleasant memory for you guys, well that’s the ultimate compliment – thank you!
Lovely
Thanks Derrick!!
Gorgeous! Love the grass and the ocean in the distance. Actually, this reminds me of the Lake Michigan dunes, which I get to enjoy often.
Very cool Sibella – thank you for your awesome comment! I didn’t know that Lake Michigan had sand dunes – I’m going to have to check them out online.
You’re so very welcome Mary! Yes, Lake Michigan has beautiful sand dunes, some are so high like hills. In fact the beach that we go to is called Warren Dunes State Park, check it out, it is really beautiful! 🙂
Awesome, I’ll be doing that later tonight. Thanks a lot for the tip on Lake Michigan, can’t wait to see the dunes!
Enjoy! I am fortunate to live only 30 min away by car. Lake Michigan is beautiful! 🙂
I’ll bet like Lake Ontario that I grew up around, only we didn’t have sand dunes. Would be great to see a painting perhaps or photograph of Lake Michigan and the dunes.
Here is the link to a Lake Michigan post on my other blog: http://bakingwithsibella.com/2012/08/07/lake-michigan-a-day-at-the-warren-dunes-state-park/
Wow how cool – loved your photographs they are showing some gorgeous scenes just waiting to be painted. My husband knew about the Dunes, he was like – everyone knows about the dunes – not me?! Thanks so much for sharing your link – loved it!
So glad you liked it, Mary! Feel free to use any of the pics for painting!
Thank you so much Sibella – I might take you up on the offer, they are gorgeous.
You’re so welcome Mary! 🙂 ❤
So peaceful! Gonna miss them. 🙂
Thank you so much Victo – means a lot and glad you enjoyed the series! On to a whole new subject that had me wishing for a seascape, lol!