Jongen en meisje op het strand van Noordwijk aan Zee 1930

Otto Verhagen made this charming sketch of a boy and girl on the beach at Noordwijk aan Zee in 1930. The lines are so loose and scribbly that they feel like a fresh breeze coming off the sea. You can almost feel the artist capturing a fleeting moment, a casual observation, right there on the spot. I wonder what Verhagen was thinking as he dashed off these lines. Was he trying to capture the children’s expressions, their body language, or just the way the light fell on the scene? I love the way he’s used color so sparingly, just a few touches of red and blue to bring the scene to life. That little bucket is just the sweetest thing. It's a bit like how I might approach a painting – start with a quick sketch, then build up the layers of color and texture until the image starts to emerge. It makes me want to grab my sketchbook and head to the beach! It reminds me that art is all about connection, conversation, and playful experimentation.