Svalbard Autumn Impressions in Watercolour
David McEown
We just arrived home after an inspiring photo and sketching trip in Svalbard. The Following three minute highlight reel features video and watercolour paintings merging to showcase the stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife encountered during an autumn expedition to Svalbard. (art and video by David McEown, with additional video by Daisy Gilardini). It was wonderful to experience the autumn light and fresh snow, which illuminated and enhanced many incredible wildlife encounters. Many thanks to Amazing Views Photo & Adventure Tours and Daisy Gilardini Photography and our guests and crew who made this a special trip!
The following selection of painting were sketched on location as our small ship navigated its way through ice and some completed later in the studio . These plein-air sketches are indispensable captures of the complex and surreal colour and light effects cast by glaciers and drift ice.
“Smeerenberg Glacier”, 8 × 15 inches watercolour
Photos by David McEown, captured with a Nikon Z9 and an 800mm Nikkor lens; Aurora shot on an iPhone 16.
The following studio paintings are examples of work inspired by trips in Svalbard. To view more artwork please visit my Arctic Wonders page that also includes gallery links to locations that I have painted while circumnavigating the arctic and visiting the North Pole numerous times.
“Polar Shorelines”, 29 x 40 Inches watercolour
“Surfacing Ice”, 22 x 30 inches, watercolour from a few years ago.
“High Arctic Summer", 22 x 30 inches watercolour