The Little Red Haired Girl 

Ethel Léontine Gabain made this painting using oil paints. It's a traditional medium, but the way she applies it here isn't about being slick or perfect. The thick, visible brushstrokes give the whole scene a kind of immediacy, as if caught in a fleeting moment. The oil paint itself allows Gabain to build up layers, creating depth and texture. You can see how she's used different colors to capture the light on the girl's face and the folds of her dress, and how she has worked quite economically, blocking the picture out with broad strokes. She's not trying to hide the fact that it's a painting; you can almost feel her hand moving across the canvas. In this way, she's engaging with a long tradition of painters who prioritize the act of seeing and rendering the world around them. Ultimately, considering the materials and the making helps us appreciate the skill and intention behind this artwork, and move beyond just seeing it as a portrait.