Kerchief Scarf c. 1938

Erwin Schwabe made this image of a Kerchief Scarf, with what looks like watercolour, in a way that's all about process. You can see the grid emerging, not quite perfect, more of a feeling. The texture of the paper plays a big role. The paint isn’t trying to hide it. Instead, the white peeks through, making the darker greens and greys feel lighter somehow. Look at the way the colours pool a little in the centre of the composition. See how the grid becomes a little more solid, the blocks of colour richer? It’s not just representation, it's about how colour creates depth. There's a connection here with Agnes Martin's grids but without the rigour. Instead, Schwabe's got a looseness, a handmade feel. It’s this human touch that makes the piece so engaging. Art isn’t just about the finished product; it's about the journey, the doing, the making.