Magnetic Island by Dave Sparkes

Size (cm): 70 x 50
Watercolour on paper.
Magnetic Island has some of the most spectacular beaches and headlands in Australia. The huge boulders are so inviting to depict in watercolour that I get quite excited when I’m setting up to paint plein air (on site) there. This scene, however was actually painted in the studio from sketches, a couple of photos, and memory. The final result differs somewhat from the reality, something which is intentional, since I’m not interested in just copying a scene; I’m really trying to capture the essence of a place.