Ladakh. Golden clouds over blue mountains. 1943

Nicholas Roerich made this dreamy mountain scene, ‘Ladakh. Golden clouds over blue mountains’, with what looks like pastel on board. It’s a great example of how artmaking is really a process, a journey of layering and blending. The texture is soft, almost velvety, thanks to the pastel. The blues and purples create a cool, calming effect, while those golden clouds add a touch of warmth and drama. Look at the way the colours aren't blended smoothly; you can see each stroke, each layer of pastel. Notice how the peaks of the mountains are not sharply defined but are built up through repeated marks. Roerich coaxes the image into being, gradually building the forms. It reminds me of how Agnes Martin worked, always aiming to capture a sense of quiet contemplation. Like her work, this piece suggests that art isn't about perfection but about the process of feeling and seeing.