Harlech Castle and Snowdon c. 1805

John Varley made this watercolor, *Harlech Castle and Snowdon*, using pigments suspended in water, applied in delicate washes to paper. It's a traditional technique, but what Varley does with it is quite distinctive. Look at the way he captures the atmospheric perspective, the sense of distance, by layering thin veils of color. See how the mountains in the background seem to fade into a misty blue. This wasn't just about accurately representing the landscape. It was about evoking a mood, a feeling of sublime grandeur. Watercolors allowed artists to capture fleeting moments and the changing effects of light and weather, perfectly suited to the Romantic era's fascination with nature's power and beauty. The apparent ease of watercolor belies the skill required to control the flow of water and pigment, to create luminous effects. Ultimately, understanding the material and the making helps us appreciate the artistic intention, and moves us beyond the divide between art and craft.