Sunset in Africa

Introduction – Inspiration Behind the Artwork

For this illustration, I was inspired by the warm glow and dramatic colors of sunset images I explored on Pinterest. As someone with roots in Africa, these glowing skies and vast natural landscapes immediately reminded me of home.

I wanted to capture not only the atmosphere of a sunset in the savannah, but also the emotional connection I feel toward this place – a sense of belonging, tradition, and peace. The scene brings together everyday life, majestic animals, and iconic baobab trees, all bathed in vivid evening light.

Creating this piece felt like returning to my roots through color and composition.

Materials Used – Mixed Media on Watercolor Paper

This sillustration was created using a variety of high-quality materials in a mixed media approach.
• Paper: Canson cold-pressed heavyweight watercolor paper, 300 gsm, made in France.
• Ink Pens: TOUCH liner by ShinHan Art (Japan) – excellent for fine detail and line work.
• Fineliner: Faber-Castell artist pens for additional texture and structure.
• Fountain Pen: Pelikan fountain pen with black ink for expressive strokes.
• Watercolors: Schmincke Horadam watercolor paints for rich and vibrant color effects.
• Brushes: Raphael watercolor brushes for smooth and precise application.
• Watercolor Pencil: Caran d’Ache watercolor pencil for subtle accents and shading.

This combination of materials allowed me to experiment freely with line, color, and layering, adding depth and energy to the final piece.

This is my final painting for the course “Expressive Watercolor Illustration” by Reha Sakar.

I wanted to create a scene with strong light contrasts while capturing depth and movement. The oversized baobab trees, the glowing sunset, and the animals in the savannah are meant to convey a blend of reality and imagination.

I was especially inspired by Reha’s loose sketching style and his expressive use of color – thank you for this amazing course!