The light at West Wittering is always shifting, but when a storm rolls in, that's when it gets exciting. The sky darkens, the blue breaks through in patches, and suddenly the beach becomes a mirror for all of it. This was one of those days. The kind that takes your breath away before you've even picked up a brush.

Working on a very large canvas (122 x 122cm) let me paint this almost life-sized. I wanted you to feel the weight of those clouds bearing down and the brightness pushing through underneath. The beach catches every change in the sky above, reflecting light back in colours you wouldn't expect: silvers, pinks, deep blues.

A painting should sustain you. You should be able to stand in front of it and feel its power. I'm very proud of this one.