JOHN CRUMP painter in paradise
  • HOME PAGE
  • PAINTING GALLERY
  • ARCHIVE
  • BLOG
  • DVD's
  • WORKSHOPS
  • CONTACT JOHN
  • FACEBOOK

blogs...   ​

occasional thoughts when I feel I have something worthwhile to say!​

At last, a break in the weather!

30/9/2012

4 Comments

 
Picture
"Wild water at Baring Head, South Wellington Coast line."


We had been staying with friends in a cottage on the Baring Head coastline for several days. Although the weather had been reasonable with plenty of sunshine, it had been extremely windy and so the idea of painting on the beach was out of the question. 
However, on the 4th day, the wind finally dropped and Peter, (my painting companion) and I,  carried our equipment down to the beach where there were several groups of rugged rocks that looked like possible subjects.

Of course, the sea was very rough after all the wind, and so although it was now relatively calm, the sea was still a churning mess – exactly as I prefer to paint it. There's'something very special about rough water, the power of the waves, the beautiful colour of the water, and the gleam of white surf. In the right situation with a sandy beach, there is also that beautiful reflection area as the sea recedes between waves.

And then of course, there's the rocks themselves. In low evening light, the colour, and the contrast between the highlights and the shadows is simply mouthwatering!

There's something very stimulating about painting in the outdoors. I painted in the studio for the first 10 years of my painting life. I worked from sketches I did on the spot, as, at the time, I could not afford the cost of photographs! When I look back, I believe it was a better way for me to work as I was not tempted to rely on photographs as 'crutches'. It is so easy I believe, to become  ensnared by photographs – to become a copier rather than a creative painter. Don't get me wrong though. I also believe that there are many great painters that work creatively from photographs.
"Creatively" is the keyword! With the advantages of digital cameras now, I also work very occasionally from a photograph. But I certainly prefer to work outdoors nevertheless. 

Putting all that aside, that evening on the beach was incredibly stimulating.  (I hope the painting demonstrates what I'm writing about).The urgency of the lowering evening light, the tide moving in, and the energy of the scene itself was enough to get the juices going! We worked feverishly and finished just on dusk.

There is a huge sense of satisfaction arriving home with a finished painting in the back of the car. Especially of course, if you feel that it is a good one!  Mind you, there's also the depression of a wash off before the painting was even finished. Or worse, you finished it - but it's still no good!
That can happen too often, but the "highs" make it worth it.

I'm very grateful to the painter friend who persuaded me to try going plein air!

4 Comments
Dennis Clark link
1/10/2012 08:07:18 am

Lovely depth (colour perspective) in your painting.

Reply
John Crump link
2/10/2012 03:28:57 pm

Many thanks for your comment Dennis.

Reply
Simon Crump link
13/1/2013 05:52:43 pm

I love the immediacy and spontaneity. I can almost hear those breakers rolling in! Superb.
P.S. only stumbled onto your site as we share a surname!

Reply
Roos Schuring link
21/1/2014 09:14:18 pm

Stunning work. Love this one. Nice to meet you!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Get new posts delivered to your inbox!

    Enter your email address:

    Archives

    July 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    January 2017
    July 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    February 2015
    October 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    September 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Follow Us

What People Are Saying​

Informative instruction and demonstration from a highly skilled artist. When you see John's paintings you know that he has spent many years honing his art. His mastery of colour, tone, brushwork and composition instills confidence that he knows what he talking about as a teacher. Highly recommended."
Alex Kelly

    Contact John

Submit
  • HOME PAGE
  • PAINTING GALLERY
  • ARCHIVE
  • BLOG
  • DVD's
  • WORKSHOPS
  • CONTACT JOHN
  • FACEBOOK