Special Seascape

Evening Rain Entering.

This is a special one because of how it was created. Being in our little house and already towards 4 in the afternoon, I knew I had to decide fast whether I was going to paint or not because there was a big thick grey sky approaching.

I decided to give it a go. Kids went for a swim in the ocean and I quickly had set up the easel on the beach. Though after mixing a few colors it started raining just a bit. The light was still on the sand and on the trees. The dark sky was so amazing, decided to proceed quickly.

• ->When you apply paint with a knife, often you can beat the rain (affecting the canvas) a bit.  -> As oil wins from water: focus on covering the canvas with paint fast.
Then started the lightning far away. Got scared and called the kids out of the water, mom knows best :) (read further down below in this post)

SSP29-2019 Seascape Plein air Painting 'Seascape Evening Rain Entering, Beach, Palmtrees and Mountains'

Roos Schuring, oil on canvas, 24 × 30 cm | 9.6″ x 11.8″
Available / Find Seascapes for Sale here:

(continues here) But it also meant I couldn't continue painting.

Folded the easel (that comes with the foldable palette, kept the paint on it) and had to leave the beach with a one-third painting. Terrible when this happens. It was so beautiful, but I was just too late. I think I had about 7 areas of color on. Mostly sky, a tree area, the bit of white and blue in the sky done, mountains in. The sand area was still a sketch, ocean an open space.

I always say to my students on the beach to • -> paint 'the important stuff' first, or, in other words, the moving or quickest changing color situations first.

In this case the sky and color effect on the mountains and trees. • The backbone of this painting was accomplished.

Lucky I could finish it a day after: Though witnessing a clear blue sky then(!), no light effect in the sky, • from this second moment I took the effects of the evening sun on the sand. I could add in the ocean and complete it to a finished state.

• I think the biggest takeaway here is to listen to the voice that says 'Just give it a go' and 'See what happens'.

The tourists might have laughed when they saw me trying and failing to finish because of heavier rain and thunder, I can hear those remarks, often heard before: 'Hope that's not watercolor, haha!', but just as they for 90% see what we do as 'a weird loser hobby', we're making moments last. In a way a photo never will!

• Go out to paint in the time just before and just after the rain (it can be most beautiful then!), resist the urge to flee, had it not be lightning, if I had my umbrella, I possibly could have finished even during rain. Lightning is just something to avoid!

Finishing the next day

and palette

Scenery

View this video 'Which Colors' here