Poplars 

Dorrit Black created this painting, "Poplars," using what appears to be watercolor on paper, a medium that lends itself to the depiction of light and atmosphere. The composition divides the scene into distinct horizontal bands: the lower field, the stand of trees, and the sky, each rendered in subtly different tones of ochre and pale blue. Notice how Black simplifies the forms of the trees and landscape, reducing them to their essential shapes and colors. This abstraction allows us to focus on the interplay of light and shadow. The texture of the paper and the fluidity of the watercolor contribute to a sense of transience, as if capturing a fleeting moment. This simplicity challenges traditional landscape painting by reducing the scene to its most fundamental elements. Black encourages us to consider how the basic visual components create meaning and evoke emotion.