Exploring the Fife Coast Through Oil Painting

I’m happy to have a go at a wide range of media but my favourite, without a doubt, is working with oils. I like their texture: they can be applied thinly to give a wash effect or thickly to create an uneven surface. They are versatile: I like to paint wet on wet so the fact that they dry slowly is to my advantage.

The smell also evokes many memories. My dad was a gifted amateur artist and the smell of paint, linseed oil and turpentine was always present in our rather small house. I am transported right back to my childhood as I climb the stairs to my own studio.

For my latest painting, I’ve come out of the woods and headed to the Fife coast. This is a view from the coastal path at Wemyss Bay. It was a November afternoon and the clouds were tinged with yellows and ochres. Arthur’s Seat and the Pentland Hills on the opposite shore were illuminated by the low winter sun and the sunlight was reflecting on the sea. This was the main inspiration for the painting.

I worked on the piece for a week or so until I thought I had finished it. I always take photographs of work in progress as I find it helpful to be able to look at it from time to time when I am away from my easel. After a week or so I decided that I hadn’t quite captured the light in the way that I had intended. It also seemed to lack a focal point so I went back to it to have another go.

After some deliberation, I decided to add the fence posts and darken the foreground to help guide the eye. Darkening the sky and the distant hills, adds further to that ‘frame’ effect and brings the sea into sharper relief. By creating waves and adding more grey to the previously calm sea the sense of drama is also increased. Overall I am happier with the result and think the piece is better. What do you think?

Oil on panel board measuring 12” x 16”. Visit my gallery page for closer look at the image. All enquiries to me at artbysmart4@gmail.com