Gulf Surf Plein Air | 9×12 | Oil on Linen Panel

Inspiration for Gulf Surf Plein Air

One of my personal favorite plein air pieces, I started Gulf Surf Plein Air under a clear, scintillating blue sky. I blissfully stood on the pristine white quartz sands of Pensacola’s beaches, staring into the infinite distance of the Gulf of Mexico. The piercing brightness on such a day does present some challenges, however. As the pupils contract, value contrast increases and color perception impaired. This fact adds further difficultly to the task of capturing the variegated, shimmering hues of the sun and sky on the ceaselessly rippling, crashing surface of the Gulf waters. So when I come away with a painting that does justice to the scene, it’s always a feeling of battle victoriously fought!