Having painted Sidmouth Looking West from Jacob's Ladder, the companion piece, Sidmouth Looking East is underway.
I thought I would show you the process as I go along.
Session One: Using a range of sources, observations, sketches and photographs, the first stage is to draw the image onto graph paper and then trace onto a 30cm x 40 cm birch board.
Session Two: Painting the sea and the sky. In addition to the expected blues, using some random colours: green and purples, provides some dissonance and interest. These will be picked up in the buildings as the work continues
Session Three: Selection of colours: Although semi-abstract it is important to get a sense of the beach rolling downwards to towards the sea. With the rock groins roughly situated. These will be elaborated on to mimic to colour of the building roofs. The far cliff is sketched in to anchor the picture in place
Session Four : Beginning the buildings. The introdution of green and a complementary but lighter palette for the buildings. The light source is from the south east
Session Five: The town begins to emerge and the promenade is positioned. Although tempting, there will be no figures in this picture. This will complement Sidmouth Looking West. A hint (but no more) of recognisable structures is the intent.