Final Streaks of Light on the Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast, and particularly Durdle Door, where this is located, is one of England's Areas of Exceptional Natural Beauty. Even though this looks like it could be in Mexico, this is England's west coast, in Dorset. We had spent the day exploring the coast, and made it to Durdle Door just before sunset. We had to hike down a steep hill in order to arrive at this view. I set up my easel and captured as much as I could before dark. Later I painted this in the studio, wishing I had set up my easel here instead. I was enchanted by the narrow strips of light hitting the brilliant greens and the vibrant wildflowers, contrasted with the deep, rich darks. I started with a sketchbook study where I combined two photos, adjusted the horizon, broke down the values, and made a few other compositional choices. I have a special plein air palette which I curated especially for painting in Europe, containing pigments by Winsor Newton, Daniel Smith and Holbein. I used that Europe plein air palette for this piece, with the addition of Opera. I used traditional watercolor processes of working wet on wet, wet on dry, glazing, and negative painting.