Donar’s Sketchbook

Lake Simcoe, Jackson’s Point, Sept 11

I had fun with this one as there was a lot of action in the sky.  I will start to focus on the twilight aspects soon but it’s hard to decide when to wait and when to engage.  This is the most dramatic time of the day and you only have minutes to get the moment.  I will have to bring 4 or 5 cards next time so I can just keep going.  Bringing only one or two can limit your opportunities as you don’t want to “over work” one composition which is something I’m always doing.  Sunsets start with some nice intense yellows, but then progress to orange and then about 30 seconds of this incredible bright red that I can never seem to capture.  Finally after that is all done, there is some nice subtle reds, purples and blacks that linger, and so this is why I need to plan ahead next time.  Of course, sometimes the clouds and sun don’t always cooperate, as there are times the sun gets covered up too soon and everything turns into a dull shade of blues and there are other times where the sun breaks through at the last minute and all the clouds blaze.  Then the water is something you need to focus on as well as it reflects the mood of the sky.  Wind helps as it creates just one or two tones, but if it’s clear and still out, then you are forced to paint reflections and takes time to try to put in the right amount of ripple, reflection and clouds in that water.  At the end of the day, you have to walk away and try not to look at the paintings until the next day as you are always discouraged on the spot when comparing your work to Mother Nature, but then the next day you are grateful for such an experience as it always motivates you for another sunset experience.