Art by Heather Bridge

I could go on and on about why sunsets and sunrises make such captivating painting subjects. One big reason is that the science behind the colours displayed is a powerful reminder that appearances can be deceiving.

For a brief moment, sunlight interacts with tiny particles in our atmosphere, causing the light rays to change direction. This interaction results in a beautiful display of red, yellow, and orange hues. These light rays are present throughout the day, but we can’t see them as clearly.

This phenomenon makes sunsets and sunrises so exciting for me. They highlight that even if something isn’t immediately apparent, it doesn’t mean it’s not there. A subtle change in one element can reveal a whole new perspective.

Intuitively, I believe all humans can feel that energy at dusk and dawn. It’s more than just the colours that draw us to these scenes. There’s something about a sunset that makes us pause and appreciate what’s being revealed to us. Perhaps it’s a glimpse into something profound and meaningful.

Inspiration and source image

The inspiration for this painting came from a sunset I saw on my husband’s uncle’s farm in Ontario. The sky had every colour imaginable, from deep purples and oranges to fiery reds and golden yellows. A storm looked like it was emerging in the distance. Darkness next to bright colours created a sense of tension and excitement.

I snapped a few photos for reference. As you can see in this reference photo it’s pretty different than the final painting. Using photo editing software, I moved some trees around to anchor the viewers gaze within the frame. I also took liberties with the vibrancy and contrast in the reference photo.

My process

I began by mapping out my composition, focusing on the contrast between the dark, stormy clouds and the bright sunset. The challenge was to capture the dynamic energy of the scene while maintaining a sense of balance and harmony. I often exaggerate the contrast and saturation in my paintings to reflect how I felt in the moment.

I made a choice to position the sun and land at the very bottom of the canvas. I wanted this painting to truly be a story about the clouds, movement and colour.

Once I had a solid composition, I started applying the paint in loose, expressive strokes. I wanted my brushstrokes to capture the movement in the sky. The foreground was painted in a more subdued palette, allowing the sunset to take centre stage.

In this painting, I wanted to experiment with a new technique. The clouds at the top of the painting are broken down by shapes abstractly. As we move down the canvas I include more and more detail in an impressionistic style. 

The finished painting

In every painting I learn something new. I have explored elements from past works by incorporating them in this painting, like including more abstraction. I think it’s an exciting direction and I look forward to taking elements from this painting into future works. 

I hope that this painting will resonate with people who appreciate vibrant and expressive art! Let me know in the comments, what do you think this paintings overall mood and message is?