Landscape Composition, a Ruined Church in the Distance 

Editor: This watercolor is titled "Landscape Composition, a Ruined Church in the Distance" by John Varley. It's a small piece, but I'm struck by how the artist uses light to create depth. What do you see in this work? Curator: Notice the arrangement of forms; the layering creates a definite spatial recession. Varley is manipulating the pictorial elements to guide the eye. Are you perceiving a conscious geometric underpinning? Editor: I think so, especially in the way the ruin mirrors the distant hills. It is lovely. Curator: Indeed. The artist uses muted tones and careful brushstrokes to create an atmospheric perspective. Consider the overall structure—it is about the spatial organization of elements. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. Thank you for pointing out the geometrical aspects! Curator: My pleasure! It’s about seeing the underlying formal relationships that create a work’s unique character.