In this picture we see an artist working out of doors, painting what he sees before him. This practice had been championed by French artists from the middle of the 19th century onwards as the best way to convey the true feel of nature. The artist holds an umbrella partly to shield himself from the gusty winds of the Scottish seashore, but also to prevent the sunshine from casting a shadow on his canvas. Far off on the horizon a steamship helps create the illusion of depth.

Guthrie was a leading member of a group of Scottish artists known as the Glasgow Boys who began painting in a fresh, new way.