Painting the Winter Light in Cornwall

cornish-fishing-boat-painting-will-kemp

Will Kemp, Cornish Fishing Boat, Acrylic on Canvas (detail)

Last week I was lucky enough to spend a few days in South Cornwall and caught the most fantastic weather. I’d visited this stretch of coastline before and enjoyed fabulous Summer sunrises & sunsets, fresh seafood and sparkling Mediterranean colours.

Seasons can often show you new sides of a landscape and experiencing it all again in Winter was totally invigorating.

Atmospheric mist enveloped harbours, it was wilder with more dramatic changes in light, and the sombre Winter palette reminded of James Abbott McNeill Whistler’s landscape paintings.

morning-winter-light-beach-window

With the lower winter sun, you sometimes get fabulous side illumination, and here it’s casting brilliant warm, yellow rectangles onto this window recess. Having the source of light lower in the sky, brings out textures in otherwise bleached surfaces.

seascape-south-cornwall

You can watch how the clouds moving over the ocean can drastically change the colours within the ‘blue’ sea. Having such a big expanse, makes you appreciate how the different colours in the sky reflect and influence the sea surface below.

I’ve taken some swatches from the above image so you can see how much the colour of the sea is influenced by the cloud mass above.

Sky swatches

Sea swatches

I loved how the morning mist sent the far horizon and house into the distance, the atmosphere helping to split the subject into distinct areas of foreground and background. The angular dark shape of the wall in the bottom right of the frame helps to add contrast to the foreground and send the viewers eye back into the scene; you can see a painting of this image further down the article.

rock-close-up-landscape

This rock seems to have a landscape scene etched into the surface, with the muted green ‘hills’ and the sharp white fault lines breaking through the view. The surrounding pinky tones help to make the rock shapes appear greener.

will-kemp-cornwall-beach

Soaking up the spectacular sunrise at Kingsand, it was pretty special having the beach all to ourselves!

morning-sourdough-cinnamon-rolls

Pale blue mornings by the sea, freshly baked sourdough cinnamon ’snails’ and mugs of hot coffee, what could be better!

sunset-beach-sea-cornwall

The raking evening light had an almost monochrome quality to it, giving the surface of the sea a fabulous textural quality.

The window frame breaks through the scene, giving us time to reflect on each ‘frame’ within the frame.

natural-rocks-seascape-cornwall

I liked the juxtaposition of the angular man-made rocks against the flowing irregular natural shapes.

Winter in Cornwall was just as inspiring, the light just as amazing and I left feeling more connected to nature…..and maybe a little overloaded with cream teas and mulled wine!

Cornish Fishing Boat in Cawsand’s

underpainting-cornish-coastal-painting

When I got back to the studio, I found a canvas that had been prepared with a dull green ground (you can see the colour on the bottom corner) I then painted over with Titanium White warmed slightly with a little Cadmium Orange.

The drawing was a mix of Raw Umber, diluted with water and a few lines in a Burnt Umber acrylic marker.

cornish-coastal-acrylic-painting-burnt-sienna

Once this had dried, I started to push the contrast by adding some Ultramarine Blue mixed with Raw Umber to create a blue-black and establish the darks. Then I washed in some Burnt Sienna to give an indication of the warmth in the rocks.

cornish-coastal-acrylic-painting-cool-greys

The mix of Raw Umber, Ultramarine Blue & White makes a fab neutral grey, this was layered up over the top of the underpainting using a flat brush in simple angular blocks of colour. I’m always looking for the general shapes first.

cornish-coastal-acrylic-painting-blue

I lighten the tones of the far cliffs to push them further back into the composition and block-in the bright Cobalt blues on the fishing boat in the foreground. I’m using a combination of Ultramarine Blue and Phthalo Blue (green shade)

cornish-coastal-acrylic-painting-turquoise

With the Titanium White, Phtahlo Blue and a little Cadmium Yellow Light, I can add a few small turquoise dashes on the buildings and the rock face.

cornish-coastal-acrylic-painting-purple

Once I have the turquoise colour notes painted in, I mix a muted purple by introducing some Permanent Alizarin Crimson to the palette. I also use a tiny dash mixed in with Cadmium Yellow and Titanium White to make the peachy colour for the buoy in the corner of the boat.

cornish-fishing-boat-will-kemp

Will Kemp, Cornish Fishing Boat, Acrylic on Canvas

I add a final refinement to the boat using a small round brush and push the contrast around the boat and rocks.

hepworth-studio-interior-st-ives

Next time we’re off to Barbara Hepworth’s studio in St Ives, notice how you can sneak a glimpse of her garden reflected in the mirror on the wall.

Thanks for all your support over the year, have a great Christmas!

This Post Has 175 Comments

  1. Annie

    Happy Christmas and Thankyou for all the tips

    1. Will Kemp

      Same to you Annie, have a lovely time.
      Cheers,
      Will

    2. Pauline trusty

      Thanks for ur emails. I have learned so much. Thanks and merry Christmas.

      1. Will Kemp

        My pleasure Pauline, have a lovely Christmas as well.
        Will

  2. Gill Kent

    Loved this Will. Cawsand Bay. Used to live down here, miss it so much. The colours are amazing all year round. Almost everyday is a new painting. Happy Christmas.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Gill, it’s a beautiful area, how lucky to have lived there, have a great Christmas.
      Cheers,
      Will

  3. Andrew J Moore

    Hi Will, thanks for a great article, photos and painting. Nice muted colours in the backdrop, very enjoyable. Have a great Xmas Will

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Andrew, have a nice time with the family.
      Will

  4. Tori Gensch

    Thank you for putting explanation to the observations I have made over the years; a great companion piece to your study on Sorolla! I love seeing the change in the landscape with the special angle of the sun. This discussion is going to help my technique, besides having been absolutely enjoyable to read and view! Thanks so much!

    1. Will Kemp

      My pleasure Tori, so pleased you enjoyed it.
      Will

  5. stephen r welham

    well done will another great lesson happy Christmas and a good new year

    Kind regards Steve

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Steve, have a great Christmas!

  6. Katie

    THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PAINTING!
    Happy Holidays! I loved your way of taking notes in photographs and the gradual development of the beautiful house by the sea embedded in the landscape and the boat. “`your palette is lovely.

    1. Will Kemp

      My pleasure Katie, glad you enjoyed the muted palette.
      Will

  7. Jackie Ash

    Thank you so much for your inspirational Cornish beach painting. With a broken wrist in a cast for six weeks it’s been so frustrating not being able to paint. (A dog-chasing-ball-accident). I really didn’t appreciate how I would need to exercise my wrist and fingers afterwards – gently and often. Your Interior in a Victorian House a few weeks ago was a joy. The light you captured was just what I love. There is so much to catch up on, I’m going to be very busy over the holiday season – hopefully with my painting and drawing the priority. Best wishes Will, for Christmas and the New Year, I always enjoy your informative emails and look forward to receiving them, Jackie.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hey Jackie, pleased to hear your wrist is on the mend and glad you enjoyed the interior scene, have a lovely Christmas.
      Cheers,
      Will

  8. Johannes Awondatu

    Hi Will I like the third painting of the sea. That’s masterpiece!

  9. Bob Newman

    Hiya Will, thanks for all your support through my illness and not just dropping me as a waste of time. I have learned so much from you and you give me the confidence to just keep going.

    Merry Christmas mate and a Very Happy New Year to you and your’s.
    See you next year my friend and teacher.

    Bob Newman

    1. Will Kemp

      My pleasure Bob, pleased you are feeling better. Have a great Christmas.
      Cheers,
      Will

  10. Carolyn

    Thanks Will. Beautiful!

    Merry Christmas to you and your family and all the best in 2019!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks very much Carolyn, and to you.
      Will

  11. William H Joos

    Will,
    Another great example(s) of the surrounding areas of England.
    Merry Christmas from some of your followers out in SoCal.
    Bill

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Bill, have a great Christmas.
      Will

  12. Joan MacDowell

    This is a part of England I have always wanted to visit. Thank you for a great tutorial!
    Merry Christmas from Texas!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Joan, so pleased you enjoyed it.
      Will

  13. Audie Mason

    Merry Christmas Mr. Will, I truly enjoy your videos and try to learn as much of your style as possible. I am a little better than a beginner, but no where as good as you. I would love to figure out the painting of portraits, but my mind goes blank in seeing how to paint the face, (if that makes sense). I am retired now, and trying to pass my time in painting with oil, and would be so thankful for any help you could send my way. Respectfully Audie M.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks very much Audie, so pleased you’ve seen an improvement in your painting skills. Yes, portraits are often a challenge of overcoming what you think you should paint and what the shapes and tones actually are. Starting with drawing will help to build confidence before slowly introducing colours to the palette.
      Cheers,
      Will

  14. Jennifer Abbey

    Happy Christmas Will and all the best for a fulfilling New Year. Thank you for all your great emails. Jenny Abbey

    1. Will Kemp

      And to you Jennifer, have a lovely Christmas.
      Will

  15. Namir

    Many thanks for sharing your wonderful paintings with us
    have great holidays and wish you all the best.
    Namir

  16. Brenda Clague

    Thank you Will, Cornwall looks lovely, even in Winter, have a lovely Christmas

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Brenda, have a great time with the family.
      Will

  17. Terry

    I love the light in the background and colours you have found in the cliffs. There is something almost Cezanne-like about the way the patches of colour define the mass of the rocks.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Terry, yes it does have that patchwork feel of some of Cezanne’s landscapes, pleased you enjoyed it.
      Will

  18. Claudia

    Your work is beautiful!
    Thank you for sharing your talent with me.
    My painting always needs improvement.
    Thank you,
    MERRY CHRISTMAS WILL

    1. Will Kemp

      Merry Christmas Claudia, pleased you enjoyed the painting.
      Will

  19. Karin van Herwijnen

    Hey Will, inspiring as always!!
    Thank you for sharing your observations of changing light conditions of wintery Cornwall and how IT influences the colours and textures. IT helps me a lot. Thank you for all the inspiration and support in the last year. You are such a gentle and Amazon g teacher. With your help i am really painting! And that’s a big gift! Merry christmas!

    1. Will Kemp

      That’s fantastic to hear Karin, so pleased your paintings are going well. Have a lovely Christmas.
      Will

  20. Olivia Ann Wylie

    As an American I’ve only seen Cornwall via the Poldark series. Your art makes it even more beautiful if that is possible!

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re very kind Olivia, glad you enjoyed the painting.
      Will

  21. Les Fraser

    Thanks for sending this refreshing item which is welcomed change to the bustle of this period. Will be trying this.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family from a fresh and Bonnie Scotland.

    Kindest regards
    Les

    1. Will Kemp

      Really pleased you enjoyed it Les, have a great Chrismas.
      Cheers,
      Will

  22. Florence Dion

    Thank you for sending your beautiful pictures and explaining your technique using colors.
    I’m 89 years young and love to paint. I’m not trained,Your site is wonderful and helps me to understand and make my painting less amaeturish.You make it look easy, I envy your talent

    1. Will Kemp

      Glad the site has been helping Florence and still creating (and learning) at 89, what an inspiration!
      Will

  23. Kim

    Love your process. Merry Christmas!

  24. Wendy Eckert

    Thanks Will , I love your tips & lessons . You have gift for explaining in an easy to understand way .
    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
    Wendy

    1. Will Kemp

      Very kind of you to say so Wendy, have a lovely Christmas.
      Will

  25. Heather Mellen

    Merry Xmas and thank you lots of thought provoking ideas

  26. Betty

    Superb tutorial, Will. Thank you for your thoughtful descriptions of each stage of the work, and especially the additional information about paint mixtures.

    You also provide similar clarity in your videos. So many online artists speed their demos to the point that nuanced strokes and paint loading are unavailable to viewers. For example, for years I’ve searched for videos that demonstrate in slow-motion the subtleties of brush and paint handling of glass and of leaves, stems and petals. Sumi-e is as close as it gets. I’ve not yet mastered how to slow fast digital videos.

    Many thanks to you — and the merriest of Christmases to you and your family.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hey Betty, really glad you enjoyed the lesson and have found the step-by-step videos helpful. If you’re watching a video on youtube you can slow it down (or speed it up) Here are the steps, hope it helps.
      Will

  27. Eleta McCormick

    I love how you write as well as how you paint. Thank you for sharing.

    1. Will Kemp

      My pleasure Eleta, really glad you enjoyed the article.
      Will

  28. Zumi Potts

    Thanks for much for this Will. Appreciate the time, skill and beauty. Brought back great memories of holidays in Newquey and the great area that Cornwall is. Cheered me greatly. Thanks also for all your help this year with my artwork. Warm regards to you and yours!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks so much Zumi, pleased it brought back good memories, have a lovely Christmas.
      Will

  29. Prabha

    Wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas. Thank you for your lessons.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Prabha, and to you, have a lovely time.
      Will

  30. Richard

    Thanks for sharing Will, a joy to view over coffee this morning. Merry Christmas and happy festivus from Canada!

    1. Will Kemp

      Really glad you enjoyed it Richard.
      Will

  31. Jan Creedon

    Absolutely lovely painting and lesson! Great, useful explanation of the palette used for this painting. You continue to show me see so much more than I would normally see…….and make me want to paint more and more. Merry Christmas!

    1. Will Kemp

      That’s fab to hear Jan, have a lovely Christmas.
      Will

  32. Gaelle1947

    What a pleasant and informative read on this Christmas eve morning! Your description and photos transported me vicariously to Cornwall without even leaving home. I followed this with an enjoyable re-read of your article on Sorolla, as mentioned in one of the comments. This has certainly re-ignited my enthusiasm for future plein-air excursions on the Bay nearby my house in Atlantic Canada. As you wrote in the Sorolla article: “Sometimes the grass is greenest at home.” Thank you Will for this A-Ha moment of gratitude and for so generously sharing your experiences. I wish you a wonderful year 2019 of painting both abroad and at home!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks so much, hope you enjoy exploring the views of Atlantic Canada with fresh painterly eyes!
      Have a great Christmas.
      Will

  33. Ingrid E. Albrecht

    LOVE all of your wonderful artists’ tips! A very MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and plenty of time to create in 2019!

  34. Paula

    Wonderful painting! Showing the steps you took to build the shapes and color temperatures is so instructive and clear in your photos. Thanks for posting this. Merry Christmas!

    1. Will Kemp

      Glad you found it helpful Paula.
      Will

  35. Adana VIRNA

    Wonderful tutorial, Will, I love it! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks so much Adana, glad you enjoyed it.
      Will

  36. mairi

    Thanks Will, love that you share how you see and absorb the visuals around you.
    Happy Holidays to you and yours!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks very much Mairi, really pleased you enjoyed it.
      Will

  37. deborah worthington

    Lovely. I enjoyed your views and pictures. Merry Christmas from Canada!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Deborah, have a great time with the family.
      Will

  38. Christine Casey

    Happy Holidays! Love your instructional e-mails. Your great teaching, warmth and kindness come shining through. Thank you so much Will.

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re too kind Christine, so pleased you’ve been enjoying them.
      Will

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Mykolas, have a lovely Christmas!
      Will

  39. Jennifer

    Will,
    This is so lovely and just the inspiration I needed!
    Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful painting.
    I especially love the muted tones in the rocks.
    Can’t wait to get started!
    Enjoy the holidays,
    Best,
    Jennifer

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Jennifer, glad you enjoyed the painting, have a nice Christmas.
      Will

  40. Lydia Dehn

    I really enjoyed this Will. I’m always a little afraid to tackle winter light and snow, and your inclusion of mixes of specified colors, makes me want to rush over and try it.

  41. Jackie Bevis

    Loved this, Will. Your photographs are almost like paintings in themselves! Hope you have a lovely Christmas break.
    Jackie

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks so much Jackie, glad you enjoyed the photos.
      Will

  42. Michael Heal

    Happy Xmas . Love the painting and explaination of your technique. Spending Xmas with
    my family on the Norfolk coast so your inspiration very timeley, Michael

    1. Will Kemp

      Some lovely coastline in Norfolk Michael, have a great time.
      Cheers,
      Will

  43. Jennifer M

    Always so beautiful and inspiring! There is a liveliness of the colors in the rock face and composition that Im loving. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Jennifer, yes there where some really amazing colours in the rock faces, glad you enjoyed it.
      Will

  44. Stefan Ullrich

    Great painting, Will! I like the amazing atmosphere due to the contrast of greys and intense colours.
    Thanks for all and a Merry Christmas!
    Stefan

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Stefan, have a great Christmas with the family.
      Will

  45. Carole

    What a beautiful holiday/painting spot! The article and images you’ve shared of the coast of Cornwall and your painting process are wonderful — many thanks. Here’s wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and delight filled New Year.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks so much Carole, so pleased you enjoyed it, have a lovely Christmas.
      Will

  46. Joanne Lamb

    Oh! Thank you again Will. I thoroughly enjoy your work and your inspiration.
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Joanne, really pleased you enjoyed the article. Have a fab Christmas!
      Will

  47. Neil

    Hi Will, Thank you for all the updates and news over the year. Cornwall looks good and your Cornish fishing boat looks even better, a bit like your impressionist seascape that I did.
    Best wishes for Christmas and the coming year!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks for your kind words Neil, have a nice Christmas.
      Will

  48. Roberta Loewy

    Just opened your email this am…what a wonderful Christmas eve present! Thank you, Mr. Kemp, for your web-site, your expertise and all of your encouragement throughout the year–have a happy, healthy and productive new year!
    Peace and love, rsl

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks so much Roberta, pleased you’ve been enjoying the articles and lessons. Have a great Christmas.
      Will

  49. Chris C

    Happy Christmas Will. Look forward to reading your newsletters. Full of inspiration and wonderful tips.

    1. Will Kemp

      That’s great to hear Chris,
      Cheers,
      Will

  50. Jen sutton

    Wow will love the soft hazie cool atmosphere, excellent thanks for the demo
    Happy happy Christmas
    Jen

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks so much Jen, my pleasure.
      Will

  51. Larry Younkers

    Good morning Will. Thank you for enriching my Christmas Eve. Your use of a limited pallet reminds me that less is often more – a truth that my wife and I are learning every day. We just returned from the ashes of our home (consumed in the Carr fire in Northern California) where we are finding small evidences that among the monochrome black and grey of burned trees and earth there arises small evidences that life will return and a rich life can and will go on. There is truth found in the old hymn “beauty from ashes” as we see sprigs of green grasses make their way through blackened earth. What a contrast there is between the dull black earth and the vibrant green of new life. Thank you for your kindness in replacing my lost lessons, you continue to be a blessing in our lives and sharing your talents and insight to into the beauty of every day living.

    1. Will Kemp

      My pleasure Larry, wishing you and the family well a peaceful, happy Christmas.
      Will

  52. Helene Adamson

    Happy Christmas, Will. Thanks for another year of wonderful newsletters, chock full of useful information and inspiration. It’s a delicious treat whenever a new one pops up in my inbox. Cheers

    1. Will Kemp

      So pleased to hear it Helene, glad you’ve been enjoying them. Have a nice Christmas.
      Will

  53. Claudia B Cartier

    Thank you so much for sharing a bit of Cornwall with us. Happy Christmas and New Year!!

    Claudia

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Claudia, have a great time!
      Will

  54. C-Marie

    Your descriptions and pictures of the weather were so complete that I was there!! Thank you so very much, Will. And your enthusiasm is very catching!
    Merry Christmas to you and your family, C-Marie

    1. Will Kemp

      That’s kind of you to say so C-Marie, hope you have a great Christmas.
      Cheers,
      Will

  55. Carol Sawatsky

    Thanks Will, I always enjoy your working instructions, and try to adapt them to my Pacific Northwest forest…have a Merry Christmas !

    Carol Koop Sawatsky

    1. Will Kemp

      Good one Carol, glad they’ve been of help.
      Will

  56. Mariette Rhea Leppert

    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and the best for the year

  57. Sylvia Krzak

    Hi Will,

    I love the colours and brush strokes in your painting. There’s an easy, relaxed feel about it which I like. I’m useless at painting cliffs and rocks, but I intend to have a go at this painting. Wish me luck. Sylvia

    A Merry Christmas to You and all the best for 2019!

    1. Will Kemp

      Good one Sylvia, you might just surprise yourself! have a fantastic Christmas.
      Cheers,
      Will

  58. Bill A

    Merry Christmas to you and yours, and may your New Year be one of the best ever. Thanks for updates and tips. I’m working in your second painting in your Beginners Acrylics Class, the seascape. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned already. Thank You!

    1. Will Kemp

      Really glad you’ve been enjoying the Beginners Acrylic Course Bill, hope the clouds are looking good! Have a great Christmas.
      Cheers,
      Will

  59. Bully

    And a Merry Merry Christmas to you!!
    My thanks for an always easy and pleasant read.
    Take care
    From darkest (literally) Africa, the land of regular load shedding.
    Still , we live in a paradise.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks so much Bully, hope you’re enjoying a fab festive season!
      Cheers,
      Will

  60. Karen

    Hi Will,
    Thanks so much for sharing your notes and photos on painting the winter light in Cornwall. Cornwall is on my bucket list to visit someday (from the U.S.). Your description of the colors of the sky and sea and the steps you took to develop your painting serve as a great tutorial. As always, you are so generous with your time and knowledge. Even after working my way through six of your courses, I still feel like a newbie with much to learn. I love that I can replay a particular chapter or lesson when I need a refresher.

    Thank you again and I wish you and your family a happy Christmas and New Year.

    1. Will Kemp

      That’s great to hear Karen, glad the courses have been helpful and you enjoyed seeing a virtual Cornish tour, have a lovely Christmas.
      Cheers,
      Will

  61. Norbert

    Merry Christmas. Very nice rugged beach scene.

  62. Jo McGarry

    Merry Christmas,Will ,
    Thank you for the wonderful teaching.
    If you’ve never seen the light in the East Neuk of Fife, please try and make it there. I think you will be amazed. it’s a haven for artists and walkers. We have a seaside cottage I’d be happy to let you have for a weekend in exchange for a painting of the beach :)

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Jo, very kind of you to offer, you’re blessed with some beautiful light in Scotland. Hope you have a lovely Christmas.
      Cheers,
      Will

  63. Christopher Abela Medici

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all your family.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks very much Christopher, and to you.

  64. Maisie Blackburn

    Thank you Will you are my inspiration.
    Happy Christmas

    1. Will Kemp

      Fantastic to hear it Maisie, have a fab Christmas.
      Will

  65. Jack SYNAVE

    Hello Will,
    Since I discovered you on the web I realized that you are a genuine wizard with colours and a master in landscape painting, but I wonder if you happen to paint subjects created merely by your imagination with improvised figures for example ?
    Please excuse me for my poor English, but I actually am a French speaking fellow …
    I wish you all the luck of the world for the new year to come in despite of all the threats around us.

    Jack

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re very kind Jack, I don’t tend to paint figure based subjects from imagination but do paint abstract landscapes.
      Thanks for your kind wishes.
      Will

  66. Erin Hills

    Thanks for the helpful tutorial, Will. I always learn so much. I have heard so much about Cornwall. Love your photos. Merry Christmas from California!

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Erin, much appreciated.
      Will

  67. Sue

    Hi Will,
    Although I have not worked much with acrylics, I am inspired by your lesson posts. I work with watercolor and am wondering if I could use your beautiful photo for a painting? So inspiring!

      1. Sue Olson

        Thanks so much!

  68. Steve Ferretti

    Happy Holidays Will. I really enjoy your newsletter even though I’m much more of an abstract painter. Your style and teaching inspires me to try working in a more representational manner in 2019. Thanks for your generosity in sharing.

    1. Will Kemp

      That’s brilliant to hear Steve, hope you have a lovely Christmas.
      Will

  69. Jan

    Hi Will,
    Thanks again for yet another fine example of how to interpret and see so much more in a scene. The palette is fabulous once again. And, thanks for an inspirational beginning to my experience with acrylics. I look forward to your newsletters and travels. All the best in 2019.
    Jan

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Jan, so glad you enjoyed the palette for the seascape, Have a brilliant new year.
      Will

  70. Chloe Gilbert

    Thank you so much for another inspiring post. I love the way you emphasise observing the colours and the light in your paintings, it has made me look again at how I approach a scene and attempt to capture it. I learn so much from every article, and as I said they inspire me to create. I can think of three paintings that will come from this one! Hope you’ve had a lovely Christmas and have a great new year.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Chloe, great to hear it’s helped with your approach when observing a scene. Have a fab festive season!
      Cheers,
      Will

  71. Ken

    Hi Larry, Your description of life returning to vegetation after fire is familiar to anyone living here in Sydney, N.S.W. Nature is amazing. The terror of bush fires is with us every summer – it part of Australia’s ecology. You might like to see the painting by Margaret Cohen. “Christmas in Kuringai Chase” . I hope you get on your feet again very quickly and wish you all the best for 2019. And thankyou very much Will for your demonstrations. I find your logical step by step approach works for me and nowadays I feel a lot more confident. I used to get half way through a painting and then get lost. Cheers.

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Ken, glad the lessons have been helping.
      Will

  72. Anya

    Thank you Will for share the wonderful tips ! Beatiful ! Happy Holidays to you and your family !

    //Anya

  73. Carol Houlihan

    Hi Will
    Hope you had a Happy Christmas and all good wishes for 2019. You are such an inspiration to all of us who want to paint but maybe lack the confidence. I’m just off to have a go at your beautiful Cornish painting. Thank you.
    Carol

    1. Will Kemp

      That’s brilliant to hear Carol, really hope you enjoy it.
      Will

  74. Angeline

    Thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge with us all. That is a beautiful and inspiring painting. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God Bless. You’re much appreciated.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks very much Angeline, very much appreciated!
      WIll

  75. Louis-Philippe

    Bonne Année Will,
    I really enjoy these posts, thank you. it’s a nice break from work related emails ;))
    Working on the drawing course and loving it
    Merci
    Louis-Philippe

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Louis-Philippe, so pleased you’ve been enjoying the drawing course. Have a fantastic new year!
      Will

  76. Jade Schmidt

    Lovely seaside painting! It was my good fortune to find WK Art School back in ’16 (: Your tutorials have helped me overcome my hesitations, though I’m still struggling a little to “get into” the painting and past the sketch and foundation where I imagine fantastic things are going to happen. Somehow I completed 2 paintings (sooo slow, I know!) Anyway, I’ll keep on. Thanks, Will!

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Jade, so glad you’ve been finding the tutorials helpful, have a fab new year.
      Will

  77. Donna Mirabile

    Once again, thank you, Will, for sharing your experiences and personal artwork and processes with us. The inspiration is invaluable. May the joys of Christmas be with you all throughout the new year.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thank you so much Donna, that’s very kind of you. So pleased you’ve been enjoying the lessons. Have a fab new year!
      Cheers,
      Will

  78. Katerina

    Beautiful photos Will and very usefull demo of this painting. Thanks for sharing once more your experience. I wish you a happy creative new year

    1. Will Kemp

      Glad you enjoyed them Katerina!
      Cheers,
      Will

  79. Denise Hart

    Thank you Will. For a person who is learning art – I appreciate every art lesson you sent me. Your knowledge shared is unbelievable. I feel privileged. Have a great 2019. Happy Holidays. Denise

    1. Will Kemp

      So pleased you’ve been enjoying the lessons Denise, have a great new year!
      Cheers,
      Will

  80. Faye Boychuk

    Merry Christmas & All the Best in 2019 to you & yours!
    Many thanks Will for sharing your wonderful talent. I am excited to paint your latest Cornwall post – step by step. Beautiful part of Britain. Hugs & Happy Painting!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Faye, happy new year! really hope you enjoy the lesson.
      Will

  81. Sherrie Richard

    As always you write about art and painting so clearly. Lovely painting and loved the sky & sea color swatches. It really demonstrates the influence of the sky and can relate to all landscape subjects. You are so generous to share your insights and explorations in art with us all!
    Happy New Year!

    1. Will Kemp

      So glad you enjoyed it Sherrie, happy new year!
      Will

  82. Howard Park

    Marry Christmas Will,,,and I hope your New Year is pleasant and interesting
    Your block in for the Cornwall boat is superb as is the finished painting.
    ATB. Howard

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Howard, happy new year, glad you liked the steps.
      Will

  83. Addie

    I just love how you break it down with so much detail. You do so much work in order to express and teach. I love the swatch idea. You make it all so clear. Thank you so much for your generous sharing!

    1. Will Kemp

      So glad it was easy to follow Addie.
      Will

  84. Michelle Lewis

    Hi, Will: l’m going to upload the your cool boat photo on an app called Sktchy and post my digital painting of the scene. I am going to give credit – hope you’re okay with this. Thanks for all the wonderful guidance! Sincerely, Michelle

    1. Will Kemp

      Good one Michelle, pleased to hear you’ve been inspired!
      Cheers,
      Will

  85. Jocelyn Wells

    Dear Will,

    Thank you for this wonderful site .

    Are the colors we add after doing the initial underpainting (usually in Burnt Umber) supposed to be thinned so the dark underpainting makes the subsequent layer appear darker?Later layers on my paintings cover the underpainting.

    Your courses and tutorials have helped me so much, thank you!!!

    Jocelyn

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Jocelyn, I usually initially thin the umber to establish the shapes then go ontop with a thicker paint when I’m more confident with the placement and tonal value.
      Will

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