Prominent Tree at Sundown

Sometimes at the end of the workday I like to head down to Trenholme park and make a painting before the sun goes down, or even after the sun goes down. Today I just caught the dying light and did a scene of a prominent tree against a partial-sunset background. It almost seemed impossible because the painting had to be two layers... the background sunset and the prominent tree over top, which meant the background had to dry. I fussed a lot over the pinkish colour on the horizon, in the end it was some blend of orange (PO62) and red-orange (PO73). The rest of the sky just had to have a good contrast between the pale sky-blue, yellowish highlights, and medium purple-grey clouds. Luckily it dried well and I could apply the dark over-painting of the trees, grass, and deck chair in the park. The tree was a mix of perylene green (PBk31) with benzi red (PR175) and touches of yellow (PY154, PY110). Its probably the most difficult lighting condition to paint, and it changes every minute as you paint. None the less, the painting really does capture the scene. I saw another great scene of squirrel nests over Walkley street with sunset in the background but was too tired to paint it. Maybe tomorrow, although I have another health related bike ride to make tomorrow early to St Leonard and I will bring paints.

Prominent Tree at Sundown, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, October 2023 (No. 3574)