Sunset Cruise

Sunsets are most interesting with clouds and lots of atmosphere.  A clear sky offers just a blinding sun that sets with little drama.  Of course the clouds can ruin a sunset if the sun dips behind a bank of clouds at the horizon.  Then you do not really see it set. 

The clouds give the sky a chance to reflect that color that appears and intensifies after the sun is gone.  Photogaphing the sun unfiltered results in a burnout of light, where you loose that ball of light.  It is more of a blotch.  On most evenings the drama after the sun has slipped under the horizon makes a better picture.

On rare evenings there is atmosphere at the horizon or even fog.  This can appear to be clouds that are going to dampen the show.  Instead the sun shines through, it's intensity is filtered just enough to become that magnificent ball of light and color.

I used orange in this painting.  A mixture of indigo, mauve, and ultramarine blue in the water and sky.  The light still in the water made this scene magical.  Often the water will appear almost black at sunset.  I have always said that the water and beach are different every time you visit.