Caught In A Blizzard, Woodcock 1932

Archibald Thorburn made this watercolour of a Woodcock, Caught in a Blizzard, sometime around 1932. The blending of the pale blue wash that makes up the sky feels quick and loose, like the marks were made rapidly, trying to catch a feeling more than a likeness. Up close, you can see how the layered strokes and varying pressure on the brush create a sense of depth and movement, and the way the cool blues contrast against the warm browns of the Woodcock’s feathers. The snowflakes are like little dashes of light in the sky, right? It is as though Thorburn wants you to feel the bird’s struggle against the storm, its wings straining against the wind. I love the way the artist really captures the feeling of being caught in the elements. This piece makes me think of Winslow Homer. Both artists had such a knack for capturing the raw, visceral power of nature. What do you think? Does this image create a sense of struggle?