Reference photo from Sarah Anne Rocks, Tarkine Coast, Tasmania. Actually I took a number of photos at different exposure because the lighting was tricky. I was careful to compose my photo so that it would create a good composition for a painting. I was drawn to the geology and the colourful seaweed draped over the rocks… and of course the location!!!!!!

Quick sketch with dilute paint. I draw loosely with the brush using dilute raw sienna rather than carefully with a pencil, as I want a free flowing work capturing the essence of the location rather than absolute photographic accuracy. This is really just a basic compositional guide to fit the features into the format of the canvas.

First layers of paint. For the sky I mainly applied the paint with my hand and fingers….. for the rocks, more boldly with a flat brush and palette knife.

I rather liked the white canvas for the sea in the photo above, but not in reality, so I added “sea” and more rocks.,,,, especially another layer on the right hand side.

The sea needed lightening and a bit more variation in hue and tone, and I painted the rocks in the sea. 

Still to go…. a few more little rocks to help link the sand to the larger formations and the decision as to how much “decoration” to include…. seaweed, twigs, beach debris.