The Bathers c. 1930s

Augustus John made this watercolor called The Bathers, and it’s all about the push and pull of the brush. It’s like watching a dance between control and letting go. Check out how he's used the wash of diluted ink to create form. It’s not overworked, not too precious. It's like he's inviting us into his process, letting us see the choices he’s making in real-time. The way he's built up the trees in the background with these quick, confident strokes is particularly interesting. See how some are darker, denser, while others are light and airy. It's a simple technique, but it gives the whole scene depth and dimension. John has this way of simplifying forms down to their essence that reminds me of Matisse’s drawings, both of them are showing us how much can be said with just a few lines. It’s this constant conversation, a call and response across time, and it’s what makes art so alive.