Sunset from Kilmacolm 1929

James McBey made this watercolour painting of a sunset from Kilmacolm in 1919, and it's all about the beauty of letting go. The colours are like a soft whisper, not shouting for attention, but gently guiding you through the scene. There’s a real sense of freedom in how McBey handles the watercolour, letting the washes flow and blend, creating these soft edges that make the whole scene feel dreamlike. It’s like he’s saying, "Here’s a world, but don’t try to grab it too tight." Look at the way the light filters through the clouds; it's just gorgeous. You can almost feel the cool, damp air and see the last light of the day hitting the landscape. The land is evoked with the bare minimum of marks, blocks of colour to suggest fields, and a winding stream. It all feels so peaceful, like a moment to pause and breathe. I'm reminded of the paintings of Emil Nolde, who had a similar knack for capturing atmospheric conditions in watercolour, a kind of melancholy feeling, with his seascapes. What I love about this work is the sense of impermanence. Nothing lasts, but that’s okay.