Tag Archives: artist

Artists Who Inspire: Meet Rita DiCaprio

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Mary

It’s a real pleasure for me to introduce you to Rita DiCaprio of New York North Fine Art.  Rita was one of the very first artists that I met online when I began painting four years ago.  She also paints … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists Who Inspire | Tagged , , , , | 57 Comments

15 Paintings – Flowers Challenge: The Bouquet, #1

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Mary

Oh yes I went and did it again – another artist challenged me to 15 paintings and of all things, flowers!  Yikes this is not my favorite subject to paint, very hard with sticky oil pastels – but the only … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges: Subject Matter Studies, Flowers, OPs New Paintings | Tagged , , , , , | 101 Comments

Artists Who Inspire – Introducing Gloria Ester

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Mary

Happy New Year – it’s great to be back creating and blogging again.  I hope this finds each of you well, I can’t wait to check out your latest posts and see what’s new. I thought it would be fun … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists Who Inspire, Posts | Tagged , , , , , | 47 Comments

Oil Pastel – Materials and Techniques for Today’s Artist, by Kenneth Leslie – book review

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Mary

There are hundreds, probably thousands, of books on art instruction – not a lack of resources that’s for sure.  For oil pastels there are four books that I know of – one I’ve reviewed written by John Elliot, two I wouldn’t recommend, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Vision and Art: The Biology of Seeing, by Margaret Livingstone – a book review

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Mary

I didn’t know what I was getting myself in for when I decided to read this book, it was one tough read – felt like I was trying to sprint through mud.  Don’t get me wrong – it was a good read, packed with relevant … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Old Shutters, oil pastel

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Mary

This week’s word challenge contained the word, rust.  I love painting rust, the color combinations are like magic. For the challenge I did a 5×7 oil pastel study of old shutters found on a building in Greece.  Just image how … Continue reading →

Posted in About Oil Pastels, OPs New Paintings | Tagged , , | 26 Comments

Painting Surfaces Used For Oil Pastels

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Mary

Oil Pastelists use a variety of surfaces to paint on.  To move oil pastels (OPs) around (without melting) and build layers of the paint it’s essential to have texture (tooth) and my preference is a tightly spaced texture.  I’ve tried … Continue reading →

Posted in About Oil Pastels, OPs Surfaces | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Sunset Bursting Rays

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Mary

To me, there is nothing like letting a brilliant sunset warm the senses as it bursts with its gorgeous colors only nature can create.  I love the explosion of colors that the sun illuminates the sky with as it sets … Continue reading →

Posted in About Oil Pastels, OPs New Paintings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

Landscape Painting, by Mitchell Albala – book review

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Mary

Full title of book:  Landscape Painting, Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice, by Mitchell Albala. If you’re in the need for instructions on how to paint landscapes then this book may be for you.  Why I … Continue reading →

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Painting Sunlight & Shadow with Pastels, a book review

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Mary

For a long time I struggled with creating believable shadows and light using oil pastels (OPs), few credible resources exist for Op artists.  I wanted a source  with easy to understand explanations and demonstrations for painting sunlight and shadows.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments