I created this illustration using Inkscape which is open source software similar to Illustrator. I used a photo I had taken with my Diana camera one winter of the sun setting over the Susquehanna that was filled with ice as my inspiration and reference. I started by using Adobe Color to come up with a color palette containing 5 hues.
I used gradients throughout the sky and water to give the appearance of a sunset. The river also has a filter on top to enhance the sparkle of light off ice.