Sunset at Newhaven, Sussex

I don't often paint sunsets, it's a subject that's a bit overdone and not really my thing.
 However, after working on all the tiny detail of Brighton Pavilion ....

"Pavilion Pink and Ice Rink"

I wanted to paint something a bit simpler.
I was also looking for something that would not only be connected with Winter but also to fit in with my seaside collection of paintings.
There is something about the sea in Winter, it has a menacing air about it. The cold dark waters are are almost hypnotic .
Our trip took us to Newhaven, as it's a port it's not the prettiest of locations but it's easy for us to get to and ideal for taking sunset and sea photos for reference .
You can never tell how a sunset will develop but luckily for us it was just glorious!

" Then,
           for a brief moment,
                                       the skies turned to fire as the sun sank into the cold Winter sea" 

                                                            "Seaside Sunset" 
                                                             Acrylic on canvas 20"x 16"

"Seaside Sunset" Acrylic painting of the sunset at Newhaven, Sussex

 

Painting Brighton Pavilion . "Pavilion Pink and Ice Rink"

The ice rink at Brighton Pavilion

Happy New year !
I thought I would start the New Year with something colourful and challenging.
Just before Christmas we went down to Brighton to see the lights . I had not been out much as I had badly sprained my ankle so it was lovely to have a break and get out of the house.
We took a walk to the Pavilion to watch the skaters on the ice rink for a while.
 As dusk fell the buildings were lit with blue and pink spotlights. Everything looked very magical, just like something from a fairy tale!

I've painted the Pavilion before and remember how awkward it was. There's a lot of detail and unusual angles to tackle,  this time  it will be different .
I've never painted a scene that is lit by coloured lights before, it causes an array of different tones and shades that seem quite unreal. But......I do like a challenge !
Three days into the composition and I have managed to make a good start .....

Starting to paint the Pavilion

I'm working on a grid to make sure I get the angles right and prevent it all from getting too confusing! Once I have painted in the main areas I can start to build up the colours and add some detail.

Starting to build up the colours

Although progress is slow I'm happy with how it's going so far. I have also put in some simple washes of colour on the ice rink to help give me some markers for when I get around to painting it.

Making a start on the marquee

I thought today that I would have a change from the architecture of the pavilion and made a start on the marquee. It still has to have fairy lights added and a few people waiting to skate. I have also been adding more shading onto the right hand side plus the first spotlight.

Adding a bit more to the background

 Busy now making progress on the right hand side , also the other spotlight and some finer detail that doesn't really show on a photograph. I'm probably about half way through now.

Working on painting the Brighton ice rink

 It's now 10 hours further on into the painting. The buildings on the right hand side are now finished and I have started to paint in the reflections on the ice . All still going well and should be finished in a couple of days :)
Well, it's not a couple of days, it has become so addictive that  I decided to knuckle down and get it finished.  So here is the final result ....
                        "Pavilion Pink and Ice Rink" 

"Pavilion Pink and Ice Rink" Acrylic painting of Brighton Pavilion

                          Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"x 0.5"

Wall view

 Cards, prints, cushions, bags available http://www.redbubble.com/people/poak/works/20320237-pavilion-pink-and-ice-rink
Whilst painting I have also contributed to an article for Voluntary Arts about getting inspired for the New Year  which you can see here ... http://www.voluntaryarts.org/2016/01/11/new-years- resolutions-painting/