Landscape 1867

William Leighton Leitch made this landscape painting using watercolors, a medium favored for its portability and delicate washes of color. Look closely, and you'll notice the subtle layering of pigments, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. It's a technique that relies on careful control of the water-to-pigment ratio, building up the image in stages. Watercolor painting was very accessible. The materials were relatively inexpensive, and the techniques could be self-taught or learned through affordable manuals and classes. The accessibility of watercolor as a medium democratized art-making. It allowed a wider range of people, including women and those from middle-class backgrounds, to participate in artistic practice, blurring the lines between professional and amateur art. This view also allowed them to document their observations, and personal experiences, reflecting the changing social dynamics of the time.