Winter Sunset, Ailsa Craig

Open edition with printed signature. Paper size 306 x 297 mm.  Image size 250 x 250 mm

This print is from one of my more recent paintings where I have moved away from using brushes and used a painting knife instead. I have applied the paint more thickly and it has created a much ‘looser’ style as well as giving texture to the painting. The difference can be seen more easily if you compare it to my other Ailsa Craig print ‘Sunset over Ailsa Craig’ which was painted with brushes. 

This view is from Dunure on the south west coast of Scotland and is a view I looked at countless times during my childhood days in the village. The sky is never the same from one hour to the next and in winter the sun can be seen setting over Ailsa Craig.  As the year progresses from winter round to summer, the setting sun gradually moves round until it’s seen setting over the north end of Arran. It has been a great source of inspiration for me and is a view I’ve painted numerous times. I’ve also been inspired to paint Arran many times and the sun setting over Arran can be seen in my other prints. 

Ailsa Craig is actually a volcanic ‘plug’ made of granite which is mined to make curling stones. It is home to numerous seabirds including an unbelievable 70,000 gannets which have a huge nesting site. That part of the island is completely covered with their droppings making the cliff face look pure white, so much so that it can be seen from a considerable distance away.