Sailing the North Sea

Zeilen op de Noordzee

0il on linnen - 60 x 80 cm

painted on location - Fri 25 april 2025

€ 975

Sometimes just painting two crashing waves is enough of a challenge and gets me inspired to make a painting. As what happened on this particular occasion. I don't always have an explanation for things, but something about the coloration on the waters surface and all that activity of the water in movement made it interesting for me.

The Sea and the beach, The Hague's top location.

Sailing in the Sunset

oil on canvas - 50 x 40 cm

painted on location - 6 June 2024

SOLD

Here you have an example of a painting I had made about two years earlier, but was not content with the overall look of that work. So the canvas was just shelved until I took it off the shelve and on to the easel at the same location. The result of the 2nd attempt is what you see in this posting.

The Quite Beach, The Hague

oil on canvas - 30 x 40 cm

painted on location - 15 July 2024

SOLD

Arrived at the beach nice and early to create this scene. Actually I was on location to further develop the painting shown just below this one. The crowds still not at the beach, so whilst waiting, I was lucky enough to have this canvas ready to be painted on. . 

Cool fun on a hot day at the beach,

oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm

painted on location - on 3 occasions 29 April /15 July/18 July 2024

SOLD

Summer is finally here, people have dropped whatever it is they were doing, packed up their beach gear, and off they went to enjoy the overwhelming warm temperatures at the beach. The cool breezes coming off the fresh cold North Sea water is actually much appreciated. Today at this location, next painting I'll be set up with my feet in the water! 

 

Inner Harbour Scheveningen

Tweede Haven, Scheveningen voorjaar 2024

oil on canvas - 40 x 100 cm

painted on location -  9  times ( 06/07/23 - 09/8/25)

€1450.

This was a mega project to undertake, however as it's not the first time I am painting this scenery, I had some advantage. The thing about this composition is that it is so busy with all those yachts and sailboats with there masts climbing to enormous heights. However not only what's happening on the water but what takes place on the land. All those buildings, man, all that detail to consider. For the most part I choose to merely suggest the details such as the balconies and windows. It would have been just too much for the human eye to digest. Lastly let's not overlook what's happening in the sky. Those luscious Dutch clouds, of which Holland is renowned for, is most likely what inspired me to render this view in such a manner. Winter has just slipped away, promises of warm delightful summer days are guaranteed, this is merely a sign of what is to come! Enjoy the view.   

  

 

Second Harbor, Scheveningen under Mist

 

Tweede Haven, Scheveningen mit Mist

oil on canvas - 30 x 40 cm

painted on location - Wed 06 March 2024

€375

I love being on location when the mist rolls in like this, seemingly out of nowhere! But of course we know it comes from the Sea, which is just on the other side of those buildings on the horizon, a bit to the right.  Makes the whole scenery mysterious, allowing for ones imagination to take flight.  

A warm summer memory, on South Beach

 een warme zomerherinnering op Zuiderstrand , DH

oil on canvas - 30 x 120 cm

painted on location - 6 Aug 2022 / reworked in studio Jan 2024

SOLD

Although I prefer to work on location in front of the subject matter, occasionally I alter paintings made aux plein air in the studio. It's fun to do, because one has to use stretch ones imagination, and often invent things that may or may have not been at the original location. I have also published the 1st version of this painting at the bottom of the text, thus one can in comparing the two, for better or for worse, see the changes made. Naturally, one hopes for the better!   

South Beach looking towards Scheveningen

 

South Beach looking towards Scheveningen

 oil on canvas - 30 x 120 cm

painted on location - 11 July 2023

SOLD

Made this painting under very windy conditions, thus you can well imagine I was located on a spot protected by strong winds. The white caps on the water and those cloud formations show you what I am talking about.

Beach entrance #10, Westduinpark, The Hague

 

Strandslag 10, Westduinpark, DH

oil on canvas - 40 x 100 cm

painted on location -  Thurs 6 Oct 2022

SOLD

Just a wonderful day to be on location. As you can see lovely clouds floating by, creating a amazing play of light and dark tones on the Earthy colored Sea water. The flora in the dunes is also rich with colors, again thanks to the Sunlight. I also picked and chose which of the many sign poles are at this location, basically I eliminated about half of them. 

Sailing on The North Sea

Zeilen op de Noordzee

oil on canvas - 18 x 115 cm

painted on location & in the studio - Sept 2022

SOLD

I decided to freshen up, in the studio, a painting I made on location in Aug 2018. Am much happier with the outcome of the changes. Hopefully now it will attract a potential buyer. 

The gentle wave of the North Sea.

Het zachte golf van de Noord Zee,

oil on linen -  60 x 120 cm

painted on location - Sat. 14 May 2022

SOLD

Often when I get to the beach and don't get inspired immediately, for a subject to paint. I often just go to the waters edge and meditate on the waves and the  grandeur of the sea. Then if something strikes me about what I'm looking at, then the creative juices begin to flow. Such was the case with this painting. Things just pulled together, the clouds, the colors of the water, and most importantly, in this case the beauty of the gentle rolling waves.  

The Homecoming

 

De Tuiskomst

oil o canvas - 20 x 30 cm

painted on location - Tues 11 May 2021

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Nothing like entering the safety of a harbor after you sail your vessel through a stormy Sea. Here I have tried to convey this feeling by showing the storm clearing up. Vessel is leaving the dark sea behind and entering onto the still vibrant colored Sea. 

Sailing the North Sea

 

Zeilen op de Noordzee,

oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm

painted on location - Sun 18 April 2021

SOLD

For a sailor, when sailing, all that matters is the sea and the sky, the land doesn't concern him. Thus I dedicated this painting to only the sea and the sky. Enough going on in that sky to keep any painter busy for hours, at least. An ideal day to be sailing, plenty of wind and plenty of Sun. If you look closely you will see many variations of green on the water, the sun light determines what color the water will be, clouds of course have an influence as well.  

We are Sailing 1 & 2

 

"I am sailing, We are sailing  ......

oil on canvas - !8 x 24 cm

painted on location - Sat 01 Jan 2021

SOLD

(Continued from the title)  ...... From the darkness, to the light." 

"I am sailing, We are sailing " ...... 

oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm 

painted on location - Sat 01 Jan 2021

SOLD

(Continued from the title)  ...... From the darkness, to the light." 

Strange but that song kept playing in my head whilst I was make these two quick oil sketches. For me no better way to start the year than to be doing my thing at my favorite beach. While most people were stripping off their warm clothing and taking the tradition dip in the frigidly cold clashing waves, il pittore was just a few meters away capturing the beauty of the opening sky, with the swift movement of the cloud formations.  Luckily the rain had just passed by, thus my timing was good, sit myself up and knocked off these two medium sized paintings simultaneously.  

Free at last

eindelijk vrij
oil on canvas - 50 x 100 cm
painted on location - Monday 6 April 2020

SOLD 

I feel this painting is true to the expession, less is more. Doing my best to bring the Sea in focus. A close up view of a gentle rolling wave, a sailboat off in the distance, a cloudless blue sky with some haze on the horizon, and God only knows what lies under the surface of the North Sea.  A simple view, yet it affords soo much space and freedom, at times just what we need, to pass the time of day. 

A Day at the beach

Dagje uit op strand
oil on canvas - 50 x 100 cm
painted on location - Tuesday 25 June 2019
SOLD

The heat is on! Summer temperatures are with us for good now. Probably the best way to deal with this situation is to pass a few hours of the day as close as possible to the fresh, cool and most importantly clean North Sea. And yeah folks, this is The Hague's greatest kept secret, we have our own stretch of beach which is not Scheveningen. Much quieter and not so crowded, which the average Hagenaar likes very much. Just like the people shown in this painting.

The windsurfer

De windsurfer,
oil on canvas - 15 x 30 cm
painted on location - Sat 22 June 2019
SOLD

Sail Schevening is in full swing, on this little painting you see the Minerva sailing out of the harbor entrance and one of the galleons out at Sea. However have a good look and you will notice a faint white strip just in front of the wave breaker , that is the surfboard and sail of the windsurfer! Nice formations of cumulus clouds castings huge shadows on the beach and water, makes for a dramatic composition. 

A fantastic day for sailing.

zeilwedstrijden zijn aan de gang,  
oil on canvas - 30 x 120 cm
painted on location - Sun 09 June 2019

SOLD

A fantastic day for sailing! Just enough wind, not too much, thus the beach goers also had a wonderful day. There was really nice wave action going on, so I decided to start the foreground of the canvas with just that. Of course what you see is just a glimpse of a much larger picture of all the competitions taking place

Ode aan Scheveningen

2de binnen haven met mist
oil on linnen - 60 x 90 cm
painted on location and re-worked in studio - Dec 2018

SOLD

Here you have an example of artist's free interpretation of a painted scenery, altered to his/her fancy and delight. Below you have the painting in its original form, that is to say with sunlight and much harsher distinct details. Upon hours of  reflection I decided to make the scene quieter and much calmer. Fortunately for me, I didn't have to go back on location, to do this. As the composition remains true to the original, only the surface has changed. I feel it is an improvement, but of course that's only my opinion. Do you have an opinion, feel free to share it with me, thanks.

The Sea of Emearld Green

The Swimmers
oil on canvas - 20 x 50 cm
painted on location - Fri 17 August 2018
SOLD

The Second Harbor, Port of The Hague.

Tweede Haven, Scheveningen met mist
oil on linen - 50 x 60 cm
painted on location - Thurs/Fri 12/13 April 2018
SOLD

Painted life from the south side of the harbor, I decided it was time to make this painting with all its compositional complexities, thus setting myself up for a real challenge. What the heck, I've been painting en plien air now for many years, figuring if anyone is ready to meet such a challenge it must be someone like me. Well, even with all my experience this scene drove me bunkers. The idea of starting and finishing it in one setting was certainly out of the question..... The mist did make it a little easier, as I found out on the second painting made, near the same location.

The Red Lighthouse series #4

De Roode Vuurtoren # 11
oil on canvas - 24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Friday 16 March 2018
SOLD

The mist so characteristic of the Sea. Envelops everything and ushers in feelings of calm also melancholy maybe. Gives a chance for us to take rest, decrease activity, stay indoors, as one can feel the moist about to drop from the sky, in the form of rain. As quickly as possible I got this painting made and yes, the fluid drops did show up. Had to use an umbrella to protect the painting, myself I was clothed properly, and stayed dry. BTW that is the Eendracht manoeuvring on the water.

De Roode Vuurtoren # 12
oil on canvas board - 13 x 18 cm
painted on location - Tues. 20 March 2018
SOLD

This little guy was made, as a study for the painting below (#13). Obviously the weather had changed when I worked on the larger piece.

De Roode Vuurtoren # 13
oil on canvas - 50 x 60 cm
painted on location - Wed. 21 March 2018
SOLD

The colour of the water is so surreal in this atmospheric condition,  almost hard to believe, unless you see it for yourself. Started with heavy clouds, by the time I finished the painting, it was a crystal clear blue sky. Not nearly as dramatic as the sky I opted for to represent in this work. A few months later, in the studio I added the people.

De Roode Vuurtoren # 14
oil on canvas - 30 x 40 cm
painted on location - Monday 26 March 2018
SOLD

Painted at the beginning of this week, here is thus far the latest work made in this series. Inspired by that fishing boat heading out, I painted in a fisherman's wife, (clothed in the traditional Schevenings'  attire), with child. I have seen this woman walking on that path 2 weeks ago, thus with that memory was this scene composed.