Study for Ocean Tides

Waves roll in and break against dark, barnacled rocks, white foam catching the afternoon light while a wide blue sky stretches overhead, dotted with soft clouds that promise more weather to come.

A luminous wash builds the sky in one confident pass, while layered darks in the foreground push the contrast, making the whites and lighter color notes in the surf leap off the paper with real drama.

I painted this side by side with one of my adult students as we explored how layering deeper, richer darks can transform the energy of a coastal scene. The lesson was simple: the lights only sing when the darks are brave enough to hold them up.

A piece for anyone who loves the sound of the sea and the feeling of standing at the edge of the ocean, at home in a coastal cottage, a living room, or anywhere you want to bring the shore inside.

• Medium: Original watercolor on paper
• Size: 5×7 inches
• Signed by William Palm
• One of a kind original painting
• Ships carefully packaged and insured