“Drawing the landscape is a way to feel the work of Mother Nature” by Mary
One year ago I drew a landscape that always seemed to call me back, like it just needed something to give it more life, a punch if you will. I wasn’t quite on page with what it needed and then suddenly it hit me – work the middle ground giving it some depth, enhance and dramatize the foreground tree. So I went back into it and gave it one more shot ~
Meadow Light, a drawing (8×10) that was done with graphite, charcoal and carbon on Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper. I wanted the foreground tree to be more substantial, so I sprayed it with a fixative to give it more texture and using carbon and charcoal it was enlarged with the cracks and crevices given more depth from lower values and exaggeration. Then I went to work on the middle ground, it was missing personality, so some of the sunlight rays were eliminated and shrubs, trees/stubs were added with some definition. Yes, this drawing finally spoke to me ~
Here is the final drawing, Meadow Light
The original drawing from 2/2016
Thanks for visiting ~
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Oil Pastels by Mary 
Beautiful and sensitive style
Thank you for your kind comment and for visiting – it is always appreciated.
When done right, it comes alive. Your images always conjure up a feeling or emotion.
A beautiful response and so appreciated Heath! Nice to see you again, thank you so much. Have a nice weekend.
A lovely mixture of different textures, Mary.
Thanks Graham for your response to the drawing – was great fun working through textures with the various mediums. Appreciate it!
I thought the original work was enchanting, but the revised one is even more so.
Hi Ruth, thanks very much for your read on the drawing – it was scary, but fun to dig in and work through my vision for the piece. I’ve tried commenting today on yours and others blogs but for some reason WP is having some hiccups today. Will get back at it a bit later. Have a great weekend.
I love the way you have re-worked it to give it a dreamy quality.
Thanks so much Fiona – it’s a chance, sometimes re-working a piece works and sometimes it ends up being an “oh no” moment!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
I love that the image called you back ~ and you DID add personality to it! Splendid creation, Mary ❤
Thank you so much Christy, so glad you enjoyed the revised drawing. Enjoyed reading your response about going back – I imagine that you probably get called back within something that you’ve written and your changes or additions breath fresh air into a piece? Thanks again my friend.
Yes, so true, Mary! It happens to me with writing, as you suggest, and sometimes I cannot seem to stop the revisions 😉 Oh dear, haha
So funny Christy – but your end results are amazing!
Ok Mary, your cousin Kathy here, I am not an artist but that tree is so realistic I thought this was a photograph. Reminds me of some very old oak trees here in Florida. I hope that is a compliment because that is how I meant it.
So wonderful to see you Kathy, you made my day! Thank you for taking the time to visit and for leaving such a kind comment and compliment. I know what you mean about those old oak trees, we have them around TX they are pretty fascinating when you take a good look at them. Means a lot to see you – Happy Spring cousin. Love you – Mary
straordinarie sfumature
A very special thank you!!
Excellent texture, shading and depth
and the work is genuinely alive
First rate, Miss Mary
Big hugs
uncle john
Thanks so much Uncle John for your generous read on the drawing – I was really after texture in the foreground tree, thank you for noticing. It was a great little piece to work on – love drawing landscapes. Thank you always for your encouraging compliments ~
I like the sensitivity and softness in both drawings. I think you did an amazing job of adding more interest and detail in the updated version without losing those qualities. Not easy to do in my experience.
Thanks so much Catherine. To be honest, I was a bit timid to go back in worrying that I was going to destroy the qualities that you mention ~ happy that it turned out okay. Thanks again~~
Movement as well as light so well captured.
Hi Derrick – thanks so much and for noticing the movement, that’s what I was after – give it a bit more life.
I love the way you have with light! So soft and lovely, Mary. 🙂
Thanks very much Jo, there is something about soft light that speaks to me – it’s my goal to capture it in my work. Appreciate that you saw this quality in the drawing.
Beautifully expressed and a difficult subject in that it is quite nebulous….however, your composition and the strength of the tree in the foreground give it real substance. Am really enjoying seeing this new work. Janet 🙂
Janet you really know how to make my day. You are the master in my eyes for quality, creativity and execution – it just gets no better. Thank you for always being present, encouraging and reading into my work – it means a lot to me to have your support my friend.
You are so welcome…I love your work…janet 🙂
Great work – even the first part but you are right; sometimes after it incubates for a while, we figure out ways to make it stronger. Very nice!
Thank you Lisa, you have such a closeness with nature – you understand totally what I was referring too. Hope you have a wonderful day ~
Wow – so lovely! Great play between light and dark.
Thank you so much Fiona – it was exactly the contrast between light and dark that caught my attention. Thank you for mentioning!!
Speaking of black and white…these are gorgeous drawings, Mary. Love them!
Great to see you Jane, thank you so much for your generous comment – glad you enjoyed the drawings! Working those B&W values really appeal to me, thanks for mentioning.
It speaks to me, too. Lovely.
Great to see you Sharon, thank you so much for your feedback!
Thanks, Mary. My life was turned upside down late summer when my mom, then father-in-law, both passed away within a month of each other. The end, the grieving, and then the ensuing responsibilities left little time and energy for much beyond getting through the days. I appreciate your continuing to follow and like my images, even though I didn’t respond in kind. Thank you! I hope to visit more often now :).
Oh Sharon, I am so sorry to read this news – it brought tears to my eyes. Please accept my condolences, can’t imagine how you and your family has held up. I understand, as my family is dealing with some very serious issues as well right now – it’s difficult. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for taking time to write and know that I really appreciate it. Best wishes and hope that your lens brings you some peace and contentment as you connect with nature again. Your friend, Mary
xo Thank you, Mary. 🙂
That second version spoke to me also. You did a marvelous job transforming it from the original into something vibrant and appealing.
Wow Hien such a beautiful compliment – thank you for your read on the drawing, means a lot.
Both are beautiful, Mary. It’s so brilliant to add the sun ray of the second drawing from the back of the tree and eliminate the shrubs. I love it!!
Thanks very much Amy – so happy that you could see what was happening from the changes. I really appreciate your thoughts.
I am learning from you and your beautiful artworks. Thanks to you! 💖
You are amazing Amy – thank you for the compliment. Amazing though is that I learn from your photography work of how important lighting is in art. Thank you my friend ~
💖😊
…and it speaks to me too, my dear Mary! Bravo, my friend! 🙂
Thank you so much Marina – beautiful thoughts and much appreciated. Hope you have a wonderful day!
Sublime, Mary. The detail is extraordinary!
Thank you Sarah for knowing how to make my day – love your description!
Wow! The original was beautiful, but you’ve really made it come alive with your tinkering. Nicely done, Mary!
Thanks so much Jill – appreciate your response to the piece!
Highly realistic and impressive!
Thank you so much Inese!
Hi Mary! So happy to see your posts again. Hope you are well. I do enjoy your talents!
So wonderful to see you again Elisa – hope all is well. Thank you as always for your continued encouragement and kind comments.
Wow! You made an impressive improvement on something that was wonderful to begin with!
Great to see you Resa – thank you for your generous response to the scene. It really did need that something else.
Oh yes!
Thank you Out! much appreciated for your visit.
That tree is amazing Mary! Mother Nature has spoken to you.
Thank you so much Susan – it was a neat scene to work out.