Oracio del Sol - NEW vivid sunrise oil painting - thick impasto with cool blue and violent tones contrasted against bright yellow and orange hues by Mark Nesmith

Oracio del Sol  by Mark Nesmith
Oil Painting on Canvas
20” X 20”
2020

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I started this 20” X 20” canvas inspired by mornings spent at Galveston Island State Park a year ago. The sky went in with ease and I thought I’d finish it in a couple of days. One thing led to another and it seemed like I was always getting a sidetracked into another project or a new natural disaster in SE Texas. The painting sat quietly in my classroom waiting for me to come back to it. Thus week I finally put it back on the easel and started laying in the water. Again it felt like it almost painted itself. I think it was worth the wait and just goes to show that it’s never too late. The next day my temperament favored thick paint and I spent my time at the easel playing in the water.  I developed deep impastos in the waves with scrapes and stokes of the palette knife. My bristle brushes added loose strokes and scumbles of thick, buttery color. The cool blue and violent tones contrasting against vivid yellow, orange and pink notes lend a little of Van Gogh’s intensity. 

Painted on 1 1/2” deep gallery wrapped canvas, the sides are finished in a neutral tone and the painting is wired and ready to hang.