Finding Comfort in Painting Seascapes

There’s a certain kind of magic that envelops the soul when gazing out to sea. The rhythm of the waves, the endless horizon, and the ever-changing play of light on the water create something awe inspiring that resonates deep within me. Painting seascapes isn’t just an artistic endeavour; it’s a journey that soothes my mind.

I’ve always found comfort in painting seascapes. There’s an inherent sense of calmness that washes over me when I put brush to canvas, capturing the ebb and flow of water and waves. The very process of recreating the sea, or more specifically waves, helps me to momentarily detach from the chaos of life, transporting me to a safe haven where worries dissolve away.

One place that served as my safe haven for many years is Nea Makri in Athens. The hours spent there kept me going. The light salty breeze, the sound of seagulls, and the dance of sunlight on the water become an integral part of my artistic inspiration. Painting seascapes there was my way of creating an escape that I could revisit whenever I needed tranquility. The sea and clouds are so expressive.

For many seascapes I chose soft pastels that allow me to blend colours seamlessly, creating a dreamlike quality to mirrors the softness of sea mist. The delicate transparency of watercolours also lends itself perfectly to capturing the interplay of light and water, as if the very essence of the sea is infused into the paper. Acrylics, on the other hand, let me build texture and depth, and in many ways help me capture the raw power of crashing waves or the ruggedness of coastal cliffs.

The two examples of my work below depict first a seascape I painted with my non-dominant left hand as I experimented in loosening my brushstrokes. The darker Nea Makri Storm At Sea again in acrylics portrays a seaside harbour in Greece. Having lived nearby for around five years I was able to see Greece through the seasons.

Painting seascapes is a journey of self-discovery, a dialogue between the canvas and my heart. It’s a practice that reminds me to slow down, to observe the world with a selective eye, and to embrace the beauty that exists within and around us. Through every brushstroke, I find healing, rejuvenation, and a renewed connection to the timeless expanse of the sea—a therapeutic voyage that continues to shape my wannabe artistic soul.

1. This painting no longer exists. I wasn’t happy with it and against my usual advice I did away with it. Please don’t follow my example. When it’s gone it’s gone ↩︎