Wednesday, June 17, 2009

A Desert Sunset

" A Desert Sunset"
8" x 10"
The reference photo for this painting was taken at sunset in the small town of Los Olivos just north of here last week. When I started painting in the foreground I began to see more of a desert sunset appearing so I just went ahead and finished it off that way....low desert scrub plants and grasses. Works for me...this one really reminds me of the Mojave desert at sunset.
I was recently watching the mini series Lonesome Dove and just floored (floored again since I saw Lonesome Dove when it was first broadcast in 1989) by the photography/cinematography....Lonesome Dove was filmed in both Texas and New Mexico but how they filmed it is was what made the difference. It is truly a masterpiece caught on film and everyone associated with that film was right on the mark. I suppose seeing the awesome evening scenes in the early part of it was what made me want to paint a sunset scene.
A detail of the painting....

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ron, I love the minimalist quality to this painting. Quite often minimal composition and great atmosphere speaks volumes.
Maggie

Ron Guthrie said...

Hi Maggie,
Thanks a lot for your comments. Keeping that foreground in very low key lighting allowed showing just a hint of detail there. I liked that as it helped to keep to the overall mood of the painting. I think the end result is dramatic as well as a serene moment. Thanks Maggie,
Ron

Helen Read said...

Delightful sunset! Love the sense of light throughout.

Ron Guthrie said...

Hi Helen,
Thanks...I like the low light in this one too in the foreground. Trying to get close to night but not quite there.....
Ron