Sketches made on location are the foundation of everything I do. This one was worked directly in front of the view, capturing the shift of light and colour as a storm moved in over the water. Colour is complicated, and there's no substitute for standing in front of a scene to work out exactly what's needed. These small, spontaneous studies are where that understanding gets built.

I love these works on paper as pieces in their own right, not just preparation for larger canvases. There's a truth in them that's harder to hold onto once a subject is scaled up: a moment caught in its own authentic setting, worked quickly and instinctively while the light was still changing.

Framed original sketch on khadi paper. Painting mediums used: Liquitex and Daler-Rowney.