Getting started.
I’ve always been hesitant to paint a colorful sunset. They intimidate me. I think to myself, “No one would believe it if I painted the colors as vibrant as they really are!” That was going to change.
Getting away to the central coast for a couple days requires bringing my supplies just in case there might be time for a sketch, or a painting, or at least the beginnings of a painting. My daughter and her girls had planned a short “end of summer” trip last week to Moonstone Beach for themselves and invited me along. How could I say “no"? The first night of two, the sunset was fairly simple with just a few low-lying clouds on the horizon, so I decided it was time to leave my comfort zone, and attempt my first sunset painting. Hoping to learn something new, I snapped some photos for reference. The next day, I busted out Vermilion, Crimson Red, and Orange-Yellow paint, which I typically use in small quantities for toning down a blue or green, but this time they would take center stage, straight from my palette. “Don’t be afraid to use color!” rang the memory of my mother’s coaching. I dove in and took her advice. I finished my painting at home a few days later, where I was able to use the masking fluid to block out the bright yellow sun-ball and edge of the clouds while I washed the skies with more bright red-orange. It’s always a bit of a thrill to peel off the masking material when finished, check out the contrast and find out if it worked.
This particular painting got me thinking about how humanly manufactured two-dimensional images whether a photograph or a painting, always fall short of capturing reality. It could be argued that they might evoke a certain “mood” or “feeling,” but even those are the same as being there. Being present in a scene is always better when one is within earshot of waves crashing, or breathing in the scents of sage and salty air. One’s peripheral vision catches a line of pelicans working their way along the shallow waters and we track them as they go by. So much to see, feel, hear, breathe.
I had a great time painting this scene and it was a learning experience. I tried to capture the view as best I could, and remind myself and others that the wonderful sights we see in creation point to their Creator. Our Creator. On Sunday morning we sang “From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea, Creations revealing Your majesty…Indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name, You are amazing, God.” (by Chris Tomlin)
“You make the dawn and the sunset
shout for joy.” Psalm 65:8
Creation sings the Father’s song. He calls the sun to wake the dawn
And run the course of day ‘Til evening falls in crimson rays.
Hallelujah!
Let all creation stand and sing,
“Hallelujah!
Fill the earth with songs of worship,
Tell the wonders of creation’s King.
(Creation Sings by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townsend)
The 2nd night’s sunset was beyond description. These photos won’t do it justice but I have never seen a circular rainbow in one direction and then…in the same moment, turned around and seen a sky like this in the opposite direction. EVERYONE was out on the boardwalk, in the drizzle and in awe. I hope they were singing God’s praises as they took it all in. I know I was.
