“Scarborough Lighthouse In February”

Silly me. The third storm of the year was approaching and the wind was already a trial. It would get worse as the day went on.

The light was fantastic though, and having entered an outdoor painting competition I was determinedly pressing‑on regardless. It's a testament to how obsessed you can be about painting outside. I was so intent on cracking‑on despite the conditions that I didn't factor‑in the consequences of the tide dropping.

I'd found myself the perfect spot to set my easel up, you see. It was in bright sunshine and out of the wind behind a boat moored in Scarborough harbour.

A couple of hours later and the boat had dropped by over a metre (4 foot), and I found myself in the path of a bitterly cold strong wind.

Painting became a bit of a struggle and I was quite relieved when the artwork got to a point where it needed leaving alone. I couldn't pack up quick enough with a warming cuppa beckoning.

As is the way when the weather is wild, the light was stunning. Contrasts between the shining white Scarborough Lighthouse that sits on Scarborough's harbour wall, and Oliver's Mount in the background for example were really striking. The lighthouse stood out from everything around it.

There weren't any flags in the view to betray the wind. Only the sky hints at it in the painting. A painting that I can fairly say was painted under some of the worst conditions I've worked in. The easel shifted about 10cm (4 ins) at one point. Fortunately I didn't have my brush touching the canvas at the time, and it didn't fall over.

I can't see me ever going out in the same conditions again. I won the main prize, so it was more than worth it!