There’s no getting away from the cold in December and it brings its own problems. In the summer the paint dries too quickly. In the winter it doesn’t dry at all and I have to be especially careful not to touch or smudge the canvas as I transport it from the beach to the studio.

But even on the coldest of days the sun can break through the rain clouds, as it did today. And when I saw it shining on the sea I hoped it would make it as far as the beach and warm me up a bit.