Paul Talbot-Greaves
Aview out to sea with a straight line dividing either two-thirds land to one-third sky or vice versa seldom yields strong design and interest. Many vantage points are from cliff-top paths looking downwards or out to sea, which again can look awkward and lack contrast. In order to seek out the more interesting subjects I generally prefer to place myself on the beach or amongst the rocks. Rugged coastlines are full of varied shapes and textures, and cliffs can make great backdrops, lending support or dark value contrast to a focus.
Features I look for include rock pools, as they often shine light against dark when they reflect the sky, and can make interesting focal points. Figures, boats and buildings are the obvious alternatives to straightforward landscapes or simple compositions. Figures and boats especially can really add life and interest to a coastal painting or even become the main subject. These could be painted or photographed in situ or added in to a composition at a later stage.