Parr Park Marsh 1

[Flycatcher10]

Oil Pastel: Senns, Holbeins, Neopastels and Mungyo
5 x 7: Ampersand Pastel Board

We found this gorgeous marsh located in North TX over the past weekend and took a series of photographs that I expect will be using for future projects. It was mid-afternoon, very sunny (glaring) and 91 degrees - albeit there wasn't a lot of shade. It's not the best time for photo's but I just couldn't resist this place it was a real find. Plan to go back one morning and during an early evening for better photo's.

This is a crop from a larger sized photo that I took, basically looking to see how this busy scene holds up as an oil pastel. This time of year these small marshes around here have lots of green w/a nice layer of algae - I had a difficult time trying to illustrate the brightness of the day. My plan is to paint either a 11x 14 or 16 x 20 of the full photograph.

Would be very interested in your comments before I proceed painting a larger version (attached original photo). Thanks, Mary

[brookstream]

Mary,

I like it...as far as how could it be better...hmm...I can guess. For me, I would paint the bottom pic for the larger canvas. I think it makes a more interesting subject. I would bring the values up a little more in the foreground but I don't follow modern convention when it comes to value. I go a little higher than recommended. Don't know if any of this is good advice though. It's just what I would do.

I just read where you will be using the full pic so disregard my repetitive advise

Dwayne

[RedEquus]

I think your painting is done very well. I like your use of color to break up the fore, middle and background. Your strokes for the various grasses are great. Love the background grass a whole lot. I believe you have the right of it by going back in the early morning or late in the day. The colors will be fabulous.

Janice

[JenniH]

Mary, I agree with what has been said, the colours seem to work well with this study and you really have achieved the lightness of the mid ground. I like it and can't see why it wouldn't work as a larger painting.................Jen

[Flycatcher10]

If truth be told, I could have stayed at this place all day long. But there are copperhead snakes in the area and I saw too many things that told me to "get it done and be quick about it." The night before I chopped up a baby copperhead in our front yard, and didn't want to chance it - yikes!

Hi Dwayne: thanks so much for commenting. You're right, I'll be painting using the full scene - I got about 10 great photo's at this site and can't wait to paint them.

Hi Janice: Thank you, appreciate hearing from you. Thanks for commenting about the background grasses, they were fun and sort of came to the surface as I was painting. I need to work on how I paint grasses and reeds in the foreground. Can't wait to get out there and take additional pictures.

Hi Jenn: Thank you for your feedback, especially in re/to the colours used. In retrospect I probably should have given more room for the water and less to the algae - to keep in mind for the larger painting.