A Blustery Day at Mawgan Porth: Painting Through the Storms

Two storms, a few days painting indoors and one rather appropriate subject!

It's been quite a few days here in Cornwall! With the wind and rain making painting outside rather challenging, I've been enjoying some time working safely at home.

As many of you know, I'm usually happiest painting en plein air, particularly at Mawgan Porth. There's something wonderful about being right there on the beach, watching the light change, the clouds move and the reflections appear and disappear across the wet sand.

However, when the weather has other ideas, the studio is a rather lovely alternative!

A Finished Painting of Mawgan Porth

After a morning of teaching, I finished this painting this afternoon.

It's an original acrylic on canvas, measuring 30 inches wide by 20 inches high, with a deep 1½-inch edge.

The subject is Mawgan Porth on a blustery day, which seems particularly appropriate given the weather we've been experiencing!

What I love about this view is the enormous expanse of sky. Those wonderful clouds create so much movement and atmosphere, while the shallow water on the sand reflects the changing colours above.

It's a familiar view, but one that never looks quite the same twice.

Painting What You See, Not Simply What You Know

One of the things I particularly enjoy about painting skies and coastal scenes is understanding what's actually happening with the light.

Clouds aren't simply white shapes against a blue background. They have form, depth, shadows and reflected light. Even the colour of the sky changes depending on where you're looking.

The wet sand at Mawgan Porth is equally fascinating. Understanding how reflections work, how perspective affects what we see and how light interacts with water makes such a difference when trying to capture the atmosphere of a place.

These are some of the fundamentals I explore in my art lessons, whether we're working together on the beach in Cornwall or through my online art courses.

It's not about copying a picture. It's about developing the understanding and confidence to create your own.

Looking Forward to Painting Outside Again

Although I've thoroughly enjoyed these last few days of studio painting, I must admit I'm looking forward to getting back outside with my brushes!

There's nothing quite like painting on location, especially when the Cornish weather is behaving itself.

In the meantime, I'm rather pleased to have captured a little of Mawgan Porth's blustery character on canvas.

I hope you've all kept safe and well through the storms.

Jeanni
Art at the Beach | Visual Awareness

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