The Coff at Cockwood Harbour

The view at Cockwood Harbour is always a treat for a painter, especially looking towards the old bridge. I decided to capture "The Coff," which is the little stream that runs through the mud when the tide is out. Low tide offers such a different look compared to when the water is high. It reveals all the textures of the harbour bed and the way the boats sit at odd angles on the silt. I find the shapes of the boats much more interesting when they are resting on the ground rather than just floating.

You might wonder if it is better to paint boats at high tide or low tide. For me, low tide wins every time. When the water is gone, you get these wonderful leading lines from the stream that pull your eye right into the middle of the painting. High tide can look a bit flat, but the mud and the wet sand give me a chance to play with lots of different colours and reflections. It makes the whole scene feel more like a real place with a bit of history.

I used some nice colour mixes for this piece to show the damp earth. I blended some Burnt Sienna with Ultramarine Blue to get those deep, dark shadows in the mud. For the water in the stream, I kept it very light with just a touch of Cerulean Blue to reflect the sky. The boats needed to pop out, so I used some bright Cadmium Red and Cobalt Blue on the covers. These bits of bright colour really help to wake up the earthy tones of the harbour.

The sky was quite soft on this day, so I used a big brush and plenty of water. I mixed a little Yellow Ochre into the clouds to give them a warm feel. I always try to keep my brushwork loose so the painting feels fresh and not too tidy. The trick is to let the colours run into each other a bit on the paper. It creates a much more natural look for a coastal scene like this one.

This original painting is now for sale. If you would like to own this view of Cockwood, please do contact me for more information. I am always happy to chat about my work and help you find the right piece for your home.