Farmhouses under trees 

Sion Longley Wenban made this drawing of farmhouses under trees using charcoal on paper. Charcoal is a humble material, one of the oldest drawing mediums, made from burnt wood. Its powdery, soft texture lends itself well to creating atmospheric effects. Wenban uses charcoal here to capture the hazy light filtering through the trees. You can almost feel the stillness of the scene, a quiet moment in the countryside. Look closely, and you’ll notice how he uses broad strokes to define the trees and buildings, but then smudges the charcoal to create soft shadows and a sense of depth. This technique gives the drawing an unfinished quality, as if it were a fleeting impression captured on paper. Drawings like this were often studies for larger paintings, a way for artists to work out their ideas before committing to more elaborate works. By focusing on the material qualities of charcoal and the process of drawing, we can appreciate the skill and sensitivity that Wenban brought to this seemingly simple subject. It reminds us that even the most basic materials can be used to create beautiful and expressive works of art.