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The quality of light in and around St Ives has inspired artists for centuries. It is thought the sweeping skies, azure seas and the white sand on the beaches combine to give an especially bright and clean light - famous names like Barbara Hepworth and Anthony Frost have made St Ives their home and the west Cornwall town even lends its name to a particular school of artists.

Detail from one of Lucie's paintings

Painter Lucie Bray has brought her own practical ideas to painting on the beach. She doesn't just paint on canvas, she paints under it.听In her backpack she carries a small white tent and poles; when she chooses a view to paint she sets up the tent, sits on the sand, props up her easel and sticks her brushes in the sand.听听

She says the tent protects her from the elements while not interfering with the colour of the light on her canvas - even the grains of sand that might blow onto the wet oil become part of the painting. She says it also stops people standing behind her, looking over her shoulder and making critical comments - an occupational hazard when you're painting in public in St Ives.