Alverthorpe 1971

Ruth Fine created ‘Alverthorpe’ using watercolor, a traditional and intimate medium for capturing light and form. Watercolor distinguishes itself through its fluid application, where pigment is suspended in water, allowing it to flow across paper, creating translucent layers. Fine coaxes a composition from the intrinsic qualities of her medium: lightness, delicacy, and transparency. The process involves layering washes of color, building up depth and tone gradually to evoke the outdoor scene. This direct, hands-on approach fosters a close relationship between the artist, materials, and subject. The ease of use and portability of watercolor also allows artists to work en plein air, directly experiencing and recording the environment. The informality of watercolor has often relegated it to the realm of craft, distinct from the perceived seriousness of oil painting. Yet, Fine shows us the power of this medium, elevating it through her skillful application, and demonstrating that artistic merit lies not in the materials, but in the vision and skill of the artist.