Study for Land of Oratunga 1930

Hans Heysen made this study for 'Land of Oratunga' with what looks like pencils and watercolor, creating a landscape that feels both solid and dreamy. You can see the process in every mark, and it’s clear artmaking is a process of layering and refining. What strikes me is the texture he creates. The cross-hatching on the mountains gives a real sense of depth and form, doesn't it? It’s like he's building up the land with these tiny, deliberate strokes. There is such an energy in the way the lines converge and diverge. The colors, muted and earthy, really add to the mood. Take a look at that peak. See how the lines seem to dance and swirl? It's like he's not just showing us a mountain but also how it feels to be in its presence, small in comparison. It reminds me a bit of Cezanne, who also used repetitive marks to construct form. This piece feels very much part of that tradition. It shows us that painting is not about exact representation but about a conversation between the artist, the landscape, and the viewer.