Midday Shadows on a Forgotten Shore

It’s hard to explain the feeling of standing on the shoreline of La Casería beach in San Fernando. This isn’t your typical beach. It’s one of those places full of “solera”—that untranslatable Andalusian charm rooted in time, people, and place. This is a fisherman’s beach, where small boats rest at the water’s edge and colorful shacks—built from tin, salvaged wood, and stories—line the coast to store fishing gear.

And right in the middle of it all: El Bartolo, a one-of-a-kind beach restaurant. At low tide, they set out more tables and chairs on the sand. But when the tide comes in, you might find yourself enjoying seafood with your feet submerged in seawater. The scent of salt and algae is everywhere, and the light—oh, that Cádiz Bay light—is something magical.

I’ve been photographing this spot since I was young. Its character, its contrasts, its untamed charm—always changing with the time of day. Some of my earliest watercolors were based on this exact area. Now, with more experience and a clearer voice as an artist, I felt ready to return to this subject and do justice to one of the most genuine places I know.

This time, I focused on El Bartolo under the full force of midday sun. The strong contrasts of light and shadow, the misty glow of the distant bay, and the textured foreground were all challenges I wanted to face. And at the heart of it, the mood—the essence of a place that seems frozen in time, untouched by trends or tourism.

Materials and Technical Details

🎨 Medium: Daniel Smith watercolors
📄 Paper: Hahnemühle 600g cold-pressed (fine grain)
📐 Size: 36 x 48 cm
📅 Date: September 2024
🔲 Format: Portrait
🎨 Palette: Bright, high-contrast tones capturing strong midday light and subtle atmospheric haze

Final Notes / Artist’s Reflection

Places like this are rare. They’re raw, real, and unapologetically themselves. Painting El Bartolo wasn’t just a technical challenge—it was an emotional one. It meant reconnecting with memories, observing a place I’ve loved for years, and distilling all that into brushstrokes and washes. I’ll be coming back to this beach again, with my camera, my sketchbook… and always with admiration.

Further Exploration

🎣 More coastal and local life scenes in watercolor
🌅 Discover more about La Casería and Cádiz Bay

💬 Have you ever been to a place that felt frozen in time? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
🌊 More hidden gems and coastal watercolors coming soon.