An Ode To Grey Weather

Why Grey is Good.

Don't get me wrong: when I want to go out for a good sunset, or moonrise, the last thing I want is that grey ugly drape to cover the total sky! Obviously, because you wouldn't see a sun, nor moon.

But, even when there is a complete grey cover, the waves on the beach might still be able to complete your scene for a good painting: their 'whites' will sing even more! The beach is that perfect place for painting in 'non-painterly' ugly weather!!

And there are those 'grey moments' that are more painterly of course, clouds will make everything better. Rainy weather with cloud activity can deliver amazing paintings!
The Sept class on the beach did deliver great views, Autumn and Spring just bring those great skies. But, you could get rain, storms, hale, .. but also rainbows.

In Ireland (blog post here) I painted a few bigger ones again and I decided to continue experimenting with it, always looking for 'that perfect size...'. There is a benefit to increase the size of a landscape. You have more space for interesting clouds, more space for an ocean.
Here 2 bigger seascapes themed 'surf-lessons':

In the video...

😄You can go too far in continuing painting in tough conditions (see video) fun times in rain and storm. : ) Though, sometimes it's a unique opportunity too!
Sitting by the heater at home, you wouldn't go out when the weather is expected to be really bad, but when you have a class, or you are participating in something, sometimes it's great to lean in, to try to complete something there.
This is THE opportunity to get an end-result that's rare to come by!And yes, sometimes these paintings do need a touch-up at home, out of the rain, to finish it, and that's not a sin either.

Wonderful days!

The 'surf-lesson' paintings (bigger ones) were done in partial rainy moments as well.

Oils are great, in that they can withstand rain (and snow):

As I wrote before, As long as the oils are there first: as long as the rain cannot get to the canvas surface first, you can continue in your painting.
And this will mean: see a big rain cloud coming, and it's too windy for an umbrella: make sure you cover the whole canvas in a/any color oil paint. After that, you can keep painting in it.
You can shake the palette dry, getting the rain out for the most part and Start & Finish in rain!
You do get used to it. It's rare the rain lasts and lasts. The sun will often come out again, drying your clothes. In worse days, there is no drying, and you'll be better off packing up, as in the video 😄😄

I've done many classes on the beach, and it's way more disappointing when you have plain blue skies for three days, I think : )

Next year you can join us in March and May, info is here.

'Surf-lessons' is part of the Calendar for 2027 (September month),

Here you see all months,
Free shipping, and a great Christmas gift,
While stock last,
Buy one here | View contents here

I've added the grey-er seascapes from late Summer and the start of Autumn to my store, the bigger sizes follow later as well.