Original artwork description:

Having painted white cliffs before in Devon, (see “The White Cliffs of Dover”, also available on Artfinder), it was quite fun to paint their French counterparts on the other side of La Manche. This plein air work was created during a 5-day watercolour painting workshop in Normandy which I participated in with other members of the Belgian watercolour institute.

The “white” cliffs are not really white of course since the effects of the environment turn them rather more grey, pink or even orange depending on their mineral content and growth makes them green in places too. In addition, they are eroded, cracked, lined and crumbling. But above all, they are impressive!
So it was my task to faithfully represent these beautiful cliffs and convey their impressive scale by including the houses in the left of the picture and some people walking on a terrace and on the beach. In addition, I wanted to capture that afternoon light with the sunshine hitting the rooves and the beach but leaving the cliffs in shade with only reflected light.
Apparently it was in this region of France that Monet was first introduced to the concept of light in all its aspects by that famous French painter who I so respect – Eugène Boudin. How lovely it was to be pursuing my own passion of watercolour painting while moving in the places that inspired my artistic heroes and painting works which I can then give such wonderful titles as “Les Falaises, Ault” (pronounced “oh”!) :-) .

This original watercolour painting comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.

Materials used:

Watercolor paper, Windsor & Newton watercolour paints

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