Day 20 - Beach Meeting

"Beach Meeting"
oil pastel on paper
4 x 8
$45

This little one was running down the beach towards this spaniel, who was ready to play!

Painted in oil pastel over watercolor wash on Uart paper.  This photograph was taken during a trip to Emerald Isle when my daughter was just one.

reference photo

Hope this beach scene warms you during this cold week! Thanks for reading!

Bethany

Early Morning

"Early Morning"
oil pastel on board
8" x 10"
click here to bid

This was a cloud study for a Challenge at Daily Paintworks, "The Sky's the Challenge."  I tried to keep the colors vibrant and not to blend the oil pastel very much.

Painted on rag board primed with gray Colourfix pastel primer.

Thank you for reading!
Bethany

Eastern Shore Marsh

"Eastern Shore Marsh"
oil pastel on paper
6.75" x 10"

A quick study of some beautiful scenery from the Cape Charles, VA area.  I had a beautiful weekend there with some of my best friends this past Labor Day weekend!

Thank you for reading!
Bethany

Costa Rica Commission

"Costa Rica"

acrylic on canvas

14" x 18" 

commission

A recent commission I finished based on the client's image.  A gift for their friends who just returned from a Costa Rica honeymoon...a great wedding gift!

This painting is a prime example of how great photos make for great paintings.  Not all photos make for lovely paintings, and this is why I don't accept all commission requests.  I always want to be sure that I can create a successful painting.

Thank you for reading!
Bethany

Beach Boys Commission

A recent commission painted in oil pastels from a client's photo...

Beach Boys
9" x 12"
oil pastel on paper
commission

progress picture sent to client

reference photo from client

For information and more examples of the types of commissions I paint, see the Custom Portrait and Custom Landscape sections of my Etsy shop.

Thanks for reading!

Bethany

Just off the Easel: Beach Babe

"Beach Babe"
5" x 7"
oil pastel on Pastelbord
available in my Shop

"Beach Babe" has been waiting to be finished for a month or two.  Lots of UFOs(unfinished objects) hanging around the studio right now, so I'm trying to tackle those in between other projects!

It is a cropped, more vibrant version of this painting:

"Walking with Daddy"
8" x 10"
oil pastel on board
available in my Shop

Thank you for reading!

Bethany

Father's Day Commission

Father's Day
18" x 24"
oil pastel on Pastelbord

I was recently asked to create a painting of a Father on the beach with three young boys.  There weren't any photos to use for reference.  She couldn't find anyone to take on the painting, and this was such an important project. One of the boys passed away and this painting would be a special reminder of him.  I knew I had to help.

Here are some images to show the process:

reference image purchased from iStockphoto

sketch of idea for the figures

the small sketch sent to client for approval

laying down the underpainting in Nupastel

after painting the Nupastel with alcohol

first layers of oil pastel
(and reference sketch)

close to being finished

finished!

I am so thankful to be a part of this tribute to a Father and his sons.   Happy Father's Day.

Thank you for reading!

Bethany

Just off the Easel: Captain Bill's, Morehead City

Here's #12 of 30 in my 30 Small Works in 30 Days challenge! I wanted to do something with a United States flag in it for Memorial Day.  

"Captain Bill's, Morehead City"
oil pastel on board
9" x 12"
$75

I found a reference photo from our trip to the beach last summer... This was perfect since it is for Memorial Day and it says "Captain Bill," which is my Grandpa Pearson's first name.  He served in the USAF, though he retired as a Colonel NOT a Captain!  

My Grandfather, Dad, both of my Dad's brother's, and two of my cousins are all USAF.  Thank you to all of our Military for your sacrifices so that we may be free.

Captain Bills is along the waterfront in Morehead City.  I loved the signs, angles of the building,  and of course the flag.  I may work a little more on this later, but am pretty pleased with it for now.  I'll wait a bit and see how I feel about it in a few weeks.

I got behind on my Challenge with the commission I've been working on for Father's Day.  Now that it is done, I am getting back on track!  I will share the commission after Father's Day so I don't spoil anyone's surprise.

Stay tuned, and thanks for reading!


Bethany

Just off the Easel: Splashing in the Surf

Here's a painting I've just finished... #5 of 30 for my 30 in 30 days challenge.  

"Splashing in the Surf"
oil pastel on board
8" x 10"
$45

Painted from reference pictures I took on Emerald Isle, NC last month.  This boxer was biting and chasing the waves and his owners were laughing at his antics.

This is painted with oil pastels on Ampersand Pastelbord in the sand color.  I liked the sand color for this beach scene. Usually I stick to the gray and white Pastelbord, but in my last Jerry's Artarama order I got the 5" x 7" sampler pack.  It came with the gray, white, sand, and green boards.

Stay tuned for more as I catch up on my challenge!  I am still behind 2 days, so I'd better get to painting!

Thanks for reading!
Bethany