Following seas

I've worked the quick sketch I did of large following seas into a finished painting. A smaller size than I usually work on, 27x40 cm, and I tried a more wet-on-wet approach with this one. I haven't concentrated on detail, but have gone for a more impressionistic approach:

The south Atlantic

Several days out from Montevideo, and the sea is still mountainous. Some wonderful lighting effects, and challenging painting conditions. I wedged myself down in a (relatively) sheltered part of the foredeck and sketched the bow in heavy seas.

I used rough brown watercolour paper, about 140lb weight, and plenty of body colour for the white highlights. I was tempted again to do more on the waves, as there were so many breakers and whitecaps, but am happy with how it looks at present. I may still do a bit of work on the viewing platform at the bow, but am inclined to leave it for a while.