I first did a really red underpainting. I had a photograph I took that day that was blazing and fiery- but it wasn’t how I remembered the coast that day. It was the wrong feeling.
I remember storm clouds layered in the sky, and a glint of sun as it set, from behind the rocks. So I painted over the first, and proceeded to work from sketch and memory instead of a photo.
With all the grey, and violet- I think it captures that day, that cold feeling of the end of winter on the coast, much better.
I do a lot of coast hiking and collecting and spend most of my time there in winter, which sounds cold and uninviting but is the best time there. The Oregon coast gives up its secrets and its treasures during the winter storms, and low tide after a windy high-hell day is the very best time to be there.
You do have to bundle up. I wear a fleece hoody under a thick overcoat. If you wear a windbreaker it helps, as well as a balaclava and some mittens. I use the flip-over hobo mittens so that I can handle delicate finds and sketch, even while staying warm.
A thermos full of hot broth helps a lot too.
Low tide. Done from plein aire sketches on site last year in march.
