I am exploring a few subjects for a local, upcoming exhibition and wondered whether this beach scene might be worth an airing. I have done similar versions of it before but the open expanse of beach, as it melds into the sea and sky, is a difficult proposition to balance up. In the past I have filled the top part of the open expanse with cloud – this time I thought that the energy of agitated gulls might be a better resolution. I have over a week, so there is a bit of time to play around.
Other beach scenes are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com
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I wonder what would change if the figure were placed just coming upon the gulls instead of having passed them. Would it make a difference to the dynamic? I like the dreamlike quality of the piece.
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Thanks for your ideas Gail. I agree that the positioning can have a radical effect. If I followed yourt suggestion, the gulls would have to be bigger ( or the figure would get too small – being pushed further back) and it all might get too much – well unless I reduced the numbers of gulls. I also wanted the man and his dog there for the story that the gulls were settling back down again after the disturbance.
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That makes sense and considering the title you’ve definitely captured that. It’s a lovely piece.
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I like the movement of those gulls in your scene. Quite natural to expect to have gulls around water I should think. Look forward to seeing what you decide!
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Thanks Louise, the movement of the gulls was important to me for this painting.
We get a lot of migratory birds on this stretch of coast. Some going north and some south and people like to walk their dogs on the sands – so the inevitable can happen…
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This painting reminds me of the style and work of John Constable.
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Thanks Christopher, though I think Constable would have made more of the clouds ( as an aside, in the V+A museum in London, you can leaf through copies of his sketchbooks, that hang beside his paintings). I think my hazy, luminous sky is more Turneresque ( like one of his preprepared beginnings)- evoking a Venetian lagoon.
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Love this! It’s an expansive view – a lovely image to explore. I esp like how the shore birds stand & fly on the same configuration as that golden light. 👏❤️👏
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Thanks for pointing that out Robin – that was by luck rather than judgement.
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