The farmyard gum 1936

Hans Heysen made this watercolour of a farmyard, probably in the early to mid 20th century, judging by the way he's letting the paint run. I just love the way he's handled the main tree, so alive in its space! The paint is applied so thinly in places that the white of the paper shines through, creating a real sense of light and air. But then, lower down, around the base of the tree, the washes are darker and more dense, anchoring it to the earth. He has such a light, energetic touch. Look how the dark grey of the tree's shadow leads you towards the farm buildings in the background. It's all these little pathways that make the piece so alive and interesting. You could compare this to some of John Singer Sargent's watercolours, who similarly used the medium to capture a sense of light and movement. Art's all about looking and sharing, isn't it? Each artist teaches us how to see the world afresh.