DEMONSTRATION

After the Storm

STAGE ONE

I began to map out and adjust foreground rock shapes as I tried out ideas for the composition. My intention was to lead the eye into the focal area, which is the drama of the crashing wave against the wall of rocks in the mid-ground. I sketched in the flock of oystercatchers, which also lead the eye in and added to the feeling of movement in the scene

STAGE TWO

When I was happy with my composition I began to work with the sky, which sets the light, atmosphere and mood of the scene. I continued to block in my largest shapes of colour: the sea, waves and foreground water, then lightly began to work in more details as I shaped the painting as a whole. I hoped to retain the atmosphere of that fleeting moment and some of the spontaneity in my original pleinair studies

FINISHED PAINTING

After the Storm, oil on linen, 16 20in (40.5 51cm). I brought out the subtle colour variations in the crashing waves and used light and shadow to convey a sense of the foamy sea water. The bright turquoise colour of the sea was revealed in certain areas where the light could shine through. I scraped paint over the rocks to create texture that described the spray and foam spilling over them

I produced numerous rapid studies in one session whilst observing the changing light and colours in the late afternoon. It was extremely windy and with clouds moving fast, light effects would change quite dramatically