Seascape Study: Boat and Stormy Sky

When sketching in Brighton (on the south coast of England), Constable would balance his paint-box on his knees and make open-air sketches on paper that he had placed into its lid. Passing storms challenged him to make dramatic studies at speed.

In this work the boat's red mast adds a vivid highlight to the grey-blue of the rolling clouds and squally sea, and the contrast of the vertical strokes of the brush and the swirling clouds add drama to the scene.