Coast Scene with White Cliffs and Boats on Shore 

This is a watercolor painting by Joseph Mallord William Turner, showing a coastal scene. Turner was a master of the medium, and watercolor was perfect for capturing the atmospheric effects he so loved. Note how the paper itself seems to glow through the washes of color, especially in the sky. Turner exploited this translucency to great effect. He was also very interested in the working lives of people. Look closely, and you'll see boats hauled up on the shore, and even laundry hanging out to dry. These details remind us that the coast was not just a pretty picture. It was also a place of labor, where people made their living from the sea. Turner's light touch belies the great skill with which he built up these images. By paying close attention to the materials and their application, Turner elevated watercolor from a preparatory medium, to one capable of capturing the full drama of modern life.