Sunset on the Prairie

Last night I decided to look through my November archives and see if I could find something to share today for Unknown Mami's 'Sunday in My City' meme. I came across a folder full of images taken at sunset while driving back from our last trip to Sioux Falls.

I was not at the top of my game so the photos really aren't very good. Most of them are really grainy and between motion blur, a dirty window and my obvious inability to focus properly they all need some help. But the scenes that I was trying to capture are there so I have decided to play with some of them and transform them into more sketch or painting style images.

This first scene pictures an idyllic prairie homestead during the late afternoon. I loved how the blanket of clouds did not meet the horizon and formed a canopy over the home. Another thing that drew me to this scene was the balance between the earthy tones and the blue-grey clouds.

Here are two artistic renditions of this scene.

A color pencil rendition.

A painting rendition.

This second photo was taken a half hour later facing to the southwest rather than to the north as in the first photo. I have to say I love sunsets on the prairie, especially when there are some clouds in the sky. Each layer of clouds seemed to have a different texture and of course that meant they all reflected the light of the sunset differently. The photo really doesn't do the scene justice it was truly an amazing sight.

A color pencil rendition.

A painting rendition.

In the first set I think I prefer the color pencil rendition but I really can't decide with the second set. 

Have you ever seen a sunset on the prairie? What are your sunsets like? Leave me a comment and tell me what you like the most about sunsets, and which rendition you like the best.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great Sunday!

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