I really wanted to capture the startling effect of the morning sun as it hit the hills of the canyon we were camped in, in central Australia. I drew it a couple of times. This is the first preliminary sketch in oil pastel.
![](https://i0.wp.com/suzystrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/20200529_182043-1.jpg?resize=611%2C584&ssl=1)
I played with the shapes a second time, again in oil pastels, which captured a few more ideas
![](https://i0.wp.com/suzystrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/20200529_182113.jpg?resize=613%2C590&ssl=1)
I kept the 30 x 30cm format and there were of course a few more changes along the way, but I was very happy with the result in acrylic on board.
![](https://i0.wp.com/suzystrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/20200611_112112-2-1.jpg?resize=669%2C665&ssl=1)