On the horizon

SAMUEL SHENOVA

What inspired Sunset?

I’ve always felt that the way we tell the story of our origins lacks humanity. As I mention in the author’s notes in the book, human beings – with the same minds and bodies we have today – have been around for hundreds of thousands of years. Despite scientific evidence that these early humans were capable of empathy, social connection and creativity, we still have this caveman-like survival story of our ancestors that seems incomplete.

So I started to wonder: If we really are so similar, did our prehistoric relatives ever stop to marvel at nature the way we do? Were sunsets as eventful back then as they are to us today? I began imagining a story with more feeling, one that captures the full range of our experience of the world. This is how Sunset was born.

What was the process of writing Sunset?

The story began as a longer, more traditional narrative but never really took shape in that form. No matter what I’m writing, I typically like to stay with what’s essential which means I edit a lot, sometimes to the point where what’s left isn’t recognizable anymore. However, this is usually a good sign for me as it means I’m getting to the core of the story I’m trying to tell. Sunset ended up being one page. In fact, it was longer than what’s been published which means I kept editing to the very end! In its more concise form, I saw the potential to illustrate it and turn it into a story book. That’s when I started drawing.

How were the illustrations made?

All of the illustrations in Sunset were made on an iPad. Digital painting is a fairly new medium for me and one I’m very excited about. The ability to iterate quickly is a huge advantage, not only for speedy production but also for the freedom in exploring ideas. Sunset went through at least thirty drafts with each image changing step by step as the book developed. Once completed, all of the illustrations were taken into Photoshop for touch-ups and minor color corrections to keep all imagery vibrant and consistent.

Color, of course, is a main character in a story called Sunset. I knew the colors had to be luminous to give the illusion of the setting sun. In contrast, the terrain and its inhabitants are in black silhouette to offset the colors in the sky and add mystery to this imagined landscape. As the reader turns each page, the palette changes much like an actual sunset. This transition also reflects the emotional pace of the story, and peaks at a pivotal moment for one of our pioneering characters.

What’s next?

Now that Sunset is out in the world, my gears are turning for the next story. I’ve already started writing and sketching, so yes, there will be more. What will it be about? I think I’ll start at the beginning, I seem to like it there. Stay tuned!