Sunset Glow & City Lights at Ritual Cafe

Some workshops stay with me long after the brushes are washed. Sunset Glow & City Lights at Ritual Cafe on Al Reem Island was one of them. Here’s a look back at the afternoon, what we painted, and how it all came together.

The idea: a sunset you can take home

For this session, we painted a dreamy sunset cityscape with glowing fairy lights. It’s a warm sky that melts from deep red into orange and gold, with a city skyline in silhouette and little strings of light across the top.

I love this design for beginners. The sky is all about blending, so there’s no “wrong” line to worry about. The skyline is simple dark shapes. And the fairy lights at the end are the fun part, because that’s when everyone sits back and says “wait… I made THIS?!” 🥹

I chose this design because Ritual Cafe looks out on the sunset. While everyone painted a sunset, the real one was right there as live inspiration.

Setting the table

Before anyone arrives, I set up every seat. Each one had a blank canvas on a little wooden easel, a printed reference card with the finished sunset and the steps, a palette, brushes and a cup for water. We added white roses, soft grey fabric and lace doilies down the table, because a calm table helps you slow down and enjoy it.

Ritual Cafe was a lovely place to paint, with big windows, lots of greenery and soft afternoon light coming in.

Our colours

You don’t need a big set of paints for a sunset. On each palette we had reds, yellows, a purple, a blue, black and white. We used acrylic paints on a 25cm x 30cm canvas.

Here’s roughly how a sunset like this comes together:

1. The sky first. We start with the lightest, warmest colours near the horizon and work up into deeper reds and purples. The trick is to blend while the paint is still wet so the colours melt into each other.
2. The glow. A little yellow mixed in where the sun sits makes the whole sky look like it’s shining.
3. The city. Once the sky is dry, the skyline goes in with dark paint. Simple shapes, straight-ish edges. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Little gaps and uneven roofs make it feel real.
4. The fairy lights. Last of all, a soft curving line across the top, then small dots of light along it. This is the moment the painting comes alive.

A slow, happy afternoon

The session ran for two hours, from 4 to 6 PM, with a beverage included, so there was plenty of time to chat between layers. Some people came with friends and some came solo. That’s one of the things I love most about these workshops: strangers at the start, chatting over coffee and paint by the end.

No pressure. No perfection. Just pause, create & enjoy. 🤍

My favourite moment is always seeing everyone add their own magic. Everyone painted the same picture, but each one came out in its own style and shows that person’s individuality.

Every canvas was different

Everyone painted the same sunset, yet no two canvases looked alike. Some skies were fiery red, some were soft and golden, and some skylines were busy while others were calm. Everyone took their own artwork home.

Want to paint with us?

If you’re in Abu Dhabi or Dubai and this looks like your kind of weekend, come paint with me. All materials are included, and you don’t need any experience. You just need to show up.

• See upcoming sessions on the workshops page
• Or message me on WhatsApp to book your spot: wa.me/971582496122

Come for the painting. Stay for the vibes. Leave with something you created. ✨