Burnham Overy Staithe

This “en plein air’ watercolour captures Burnham Overy Staithe in the quiet of early morning with a restrained, atmospheric sensitivity. A wide, luminous sky dominates the composition, washed in cool greys and blue-greens, softly infused with pale yellow light near the horizon. The clouds are loosely suggested, their edges broken and textured by the paper, conveying the damp, shifting air of dawn. This light spills down into the water, where reflections are muted and gently fragmented. In the middle distance, a cluster of moored boats sits calmly on the staithe. Their hulls are simplified into dark, horizontal shapes, while the tall, slender masts rise vertically, punctuating the sky with fine, calligraphic lines. These masts create a quiet rhythm across the scene and emphasise the stillness of the morning. To the right, the distinctive red-roofed boathouse and adjoining buildings provide a warm focal point. Painted with economical brushstrokes, they stand solid yet understated against the softer surroundings. The red roof contrasts gently with the cool palette, anchoring the composition without overpowering it. In the foreground, grassy banks and a small bridge or embankment are rendered with loose, textured strokes and subtle greens, suggesting reeds and marsh vegetation rather than describing them in detail. The paint here is more broken and expressive, reinforcing the immediacy of working outdoors. Overall, the painting conveys a sense of calm, freshness, and quiet observation. The loose handling, soft edges, and harmonious colour palette evoke the fleeting light and atmosphere of an early Norfolk morning, capturing not just the place, but the mood of Burnham Overy Staithe at daybreak. This one of several watercolour paintings of Norfolk painted on location in 2009. There’s also one of Burnham Overy Mill available.