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Late Day, the Witterings, oil, 9310in (23325.5cm)
Add water to your landscape Follow Sarah Manolescue as she demonstrates a plein-air landscape of a riverside scene in oil, with details of her outdoor painting kit
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enerally speaking, painting the landscape en plein air is a relaxing pastime. Add any kind of water to the mix and you instantly up the ante – when you’re attempting to paint it, it can change in an instant with the light, tide or even the gentlest of breezes. It’s also a mirror for the landscape, which is why I am so drawn to it, but it presents the greatest challenge and makes the largest contribution to the pile of unsuccessful paintings in my studio! A struggle it often is, but one I gravitate towards because to capture water
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artist June 2021
successfully in paint is a beautiful thing, and none more so than en plein air.
Check the tide From where I am located I can get to the Sussex coast to paint beaches and marinas, or to countryside rivers and the more structured River Thames meandering through London. Each pose a different kind of challenge and where I go will depend on my mood. Weather is a consideration and so is the tide. Before heading to the coast I will have checked and double-checked the weather and tide times (these can
be found online and are generally accurate). It doesn’t pay to forget to check – I did once when I was intending to do a demonstration painting for this very article and I had a wasted journey. The tide was so far out I could barely see it and by the time it came back in the light was terrible.
Light and water The coast will invariably be more energetic and unpredictable in nature, so if that’s what you are seeking, head there. It is also an excellent spot to catch the sunset (although a clear sky
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