Sunrays over West Looe, Cornwall

This painting of Sunrays over West Looe, Cornwall captures that magical moment when the light breaks through the clouds and spills across the harbour. I wanted to show the warmth of the sunlight hitting the green fields and boats below, with the darker hillside and shadows behind adding contrast and depth. The effect of the light makes the whole scene feel alive and full of energy.

One of the techniques I used here is adding white gouache to create the sunrays over the darker background. After the main washes had dried, I took a small flat brush and gently stroked on diluted white gouache from the top of the painting, letting it fade as it reached the lighter areas. The trick is to keep it soft and subtle so it blends into the sky and doesn’t look too strong. I often flick a little clean water over it while it’s still damp to break up the edges and make the rays look more natural.

The colours I used here include mixes of blue, green, and touches of warm browns to capture the Cornish landscape. The reflections in the water add balance and a calm feeling to the painting. This piece is available for sale, so please contact me if you are interested in owning it.