Night Rain, Streetlights, and Unexpected Color

Some paintings arrive uninvited—this was one of them. I had never painted a nocturnal scene before, especially not one lit by streetlamps and soaked in rain. But when my wife showed me a photo from a night out in Gibraltar with friends, something about it sparked my curiosity. At first, I dismissed it. It wasn’t my usual subject. But then the atmosphere, the reflections, the orange glow… and those moving silhouettes—it all started to make sense. And I was preparing for an exhibition in Gibraltar, so the timing couldn’t have been better.

This was a last-minute piece. I had no time for sketches, no time for doubts. I dove right in. Late nights followed, painting under pressure but with focus and flow. Strangely, everything just clicked. The very night before the opening, I signed it.

The palette here was far from my usual choices. A strong, surreal orange tinted the sky—not only because of artificial lighting, but also due to a dust cloud from the Sahara («calima») that gave the air a coppery glow. I used that as an excuse to experiment: wetter washes, looser forms, and more atmospheric depth. There was something freeing in letting shapes dissolve and light take over.

It’s different from many of my other works, but still unmistakably mine.

Materials and Technical Details

🎨 Medium: Schmincke Horadam watercolors
📄 Paper: Hahnemühle, 600g fine-grain cotton paper
📐 Size: 36 x 48 cm
📅 Date: November 2024
🔲 Format: Landscape
🎨 Palette: Deep violets, soft greys, warm browns and glowing orange tones—emulating night rain and urban reflections

Final Notes / Artist’s Reflection

This painting was about stepping into the unknown, both technically and emotionally. I learned that sometimes, rushing can help us bypass perfectionism—and that spontaneity often brings its own kind of clarity. This night in Irish Town was a gift, one I didn’t expect to paint, but one I’m grateful I did.

Further Exploration

Looking for more atmospheric urban scenes? Click here to view the full watercolor collection.

Have you ever created something under pressure that surprised you? Or does night rain inspire you too? Share your thoughts or memories in the comments below.