In this video I’m out on Tyninghame Beach in East Lothian on a properly hot day, walking across the dunes to find that cracking view out to Bass Rock. I set up with a 10" x 7" sheet of Fabriano Artistico and do what I always try to do on location—slow down and explore the scene with a few quick sketches first. I look at the view in three different compositions so you can see how small changes in cropping and horizon placement completely change the feel of the painting. Once I’ve settled on the version I like, I build the watercolour up in simple stages: getting the big shapes in, keeping the light, and then tightening things up with stronger darks where I need them. It’s a good reminder that you don’t need a massive sheet of paper or a complicated setup to come away with something you’re pleased with—just a clear plan and a limited, dependable palette. I’m also starting to sell the paintings made in these videos at a low price to encourage more people to have a go at watercolour, and the money goes straight back into making more van trips and more painting videos.