Some painting days feel effortless. Others keep you on your toes. West Wittering in summer — golden sand, shimmering waters and the rhythmic crash of waves — was the perfect setting for a plein air session. The only catch? A lively south-westerly wind determined to make things interesting.
Setting up near the dunes, I quickly realised they weren’t much of a windbreak. My easel toppled, I temporarily lost my hat to the beach, and a not so insignificant coating of sand found its way onto my palette. But that’s all part of the adventure. There’s a certain energy to painting in the elements — the sky constantly shifting, waves rolling in patterns that change by the second, light flickering across the water. It keeps you present, working quickly, capturing the movement and mood of the scene. I actually grew to like the sand on my palette and painting, it afforded the work an extra dollop of authenticity and shows as a rather interesting texture in parts.
There’s something special about painting seascape paintings on location. Particularly with somewhere like West Wittering, the drama in the changing light and conditions are pronounced by the golden sand which almost blinds you when lit up in between cloud cover. This coupled with the dynamic movement of the sea make every piece unique. Whether working in the studio or plein air, I always try to capture that sense of atmosphere and energy in my work.
By the end of the session, I had a painting full of texture (some natural, thanks to the sand!), and that unmistakable feeling of satisfaction that comes from painting outdoors. Wind or not, there’s nothing quite like being by the sea, brush in hand, completely immersed in the moment.
If you love seascape paintings that reflect the beauty and movement of the ocean, keep an eye on my latest work — I’ll definitely be heading back for another plein air session soon, maybe I will aim for a stormy day to explore an atmospheric piece.
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