When I began working on my first “Golden Hour on the Marshes” painting study, I didn’t realize it would grow into a Golden Hour Series.
Inspiration
Sometimes I approach a painting with a clear idea, but often my artworks emerge without a specific plan. Inspiration strikes from various sources: nature, a color palette, another painting or a part of it, a new discovery, or even a happy accident.
In this case, a happy accident while working on another painting sparked the idea. I decided to experiment with the color palette to create a sunset and “golden hour” vibe, thus beginning the Golden Hour Series.
Let’s begin!
I started by exploring the idea through small watercolor paintings to see if I liked the concept and the outcome.
I created this very first painting which I named Golden Hour in the Marshes. A recent hike through the marshes inspired elements of the scene, like the branches and small tree trunks rising from the water.
The under layers
I continued exploring the idea, and the painting quickly evolved into something a bit different. To add texture, I decided to use alcohol on the underlayers. The yellow circles in the image below were created by dropping alcohol onto the surface.
The first layer was nickel azo yellow, a color I discovered a few months ago and now absolutely love. Next, I added a layer of transparent red oxide, spraying a bit of water and applying alcohol drops. The alcohol pushes the pigments away, forming those delicate and interesting circles.
I love the deep orange color created by those two layers of paint and the effect of the alcohol drops. Some of the circles reminded me of the sun peeking through.
This inspired me to preserve certain areas of the painting, allowing the vibrant orange and yellow circles to shine through—not just in the sky, but also among the trees and on the water. This became a key element in the Golden Hour Series.
In my very first painting, I had included some magenta, but I decided not to use it in the other pieces—except for one, where I incorporated it to add water lilies.
I tested the waters with these new paintings during the festivals to gauge people’s reactions. The response was amazing! Many visitors stopped to admire them, and I received fantastic feedback—and even sold one piece!
Moving on to canvas
Encouraged by the success of these new paintings, I decided to continue with the idea. I created this first piece on a 16” x 16” canvas.
As my paintings evolved, one of them unexpectedly featured a sun reflecting in the water. This wasn’t intentional at first, but I loved the effect. From then on, I decided to make the sun a focal point in the rest of the series, incorporating it and enhancing it intentionally into each piece of the Golden Hour Series.
“Golden Hour in the Marshes” size 30″ x 48″
Golden Hour in the forest
Suddenly, I thought, why not extend this series further?
I had come across the work of a British artist whose paintings featured the moon peeking through the trees, and it immediately sparked an idea: how cool would it be to paint a forest with the sun peeking through during the Golden Hour? That inspiration quickly led to another canvas on the easel.
To explore the concept, I first experimented on a large piece of watercolor paper, 18” x 24”.
I usually work on smaller studies, but for this idea, I needed a larger piece to capture the full vision.
On this large study, I focused on redefining the sun’s contours to create a strong contrast. I also fell in love with the orange marks and the dripping effects around the sun, which added depth and movement to the piece.
I named this painting “Golden Hour in the Forest,” part of the Golden Hour Series.
I was so pleased with this study that I decided to scale up and create a larger piece on a 24” x 36” canvas.
Recreating a painting is always a challenge for me. I often feel attached to the first version and worry that I won’t achieve the same result the second time around.
To overcome this, I remind myself that each painting is unique, and I focus on embracing the differences. I try to set the first piece aside so I’m not tempted to compare them constantly, allowing the new painting to develop its own character. It doesn’t always work though … hahaha!!!!
“Golden Hour in the Forest” size 24″ x 36″
Golden hour waterfall
So, now we have the marshes, then the forest … what could I add to this series? How about a waterfall?!!!
As a result, here I am playing with some waterfalls on watercolor paper for studies to work on the composition but also to practice my waterfalls as part of the Golden Hour Series.
I did 2 small studies on paper, using a slightly different color palette, before working on 2 other ones also on watercolor paper but larger this time and in the color palette of the Golden Hour. The first waterfall sold right away. It was very encouraging!
“Golden Hour Waterfall”
Now it was time to go on canvas and created this “Golden Hour Waterfall” on canvas 18″ x 24″. Another exciting addition to the Golden Hour Series!
Details and final touches
The painting wraps on the edges, leaving the collectors the choice leave the artwork unframed or to frame it.
The paintings are sealed with a clear varnish for protection.
what’s next?
Will I add more pieces to the Golden Hour Series? …. maybe, …. maybe not, …. it will depend on my inspiration 🙂
