Of all the colors in the skies, I think the sunsets are most challenging. The bold, vibrant hues seem so unnatural on the panel - and I find myself trying to reign them in! I lay the water colors in right beside each other, stroke by stroke, careful to not mix as orange and purple will soon turn to mud. I then take the edge of a flat palette knife through the highlight color, placing it down on the dark brushstrokes and lifting with one movement. This creates a thick "wave" that seems to crest, and I use a plastic knife that I can curve gently as I place the mark. I think I will do a few more sunsets until I really feel comfortable with them! Painting number 785 in 785 days.
