Rocks at the Lighthouse, Biarritz 1906

Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida made this painting of Rocks at the Lighthouse, Biarritz, likely with oil on canvas, though his touch is so light, it almost feels like watercolor. There’s a real sense of movement here, a dance of color, and light. The paint is applied thinly, capturing the fleeting effects of light on the water and rocks. Look at the way he suggests the figures with just a few strokes of white and pastel colors. The marks are confident, each one doing so much work. The way Sorolla lays down the paint is crucial; it’s not about perfection but about capturing an experience. I'm drawn to the lower left corner where the waves are lapping at the shore. The blues and greens blend with the sandy yellows in a swirl, almost like a blurry photograph, giving the impression of constant motion. Sorolla reminds me a little of John Singer Sargent; both were masters of capturing light and atmosphere. But whereas Sargent feels more posed, Sorolla is all about the moment. For me, art is about embracing the unpredictable, making room for mistakes, and celebrating the messy, beautiful process of seeing.