Eagle 1935 - 1942

This "Eagle" was made anonymously with pen and watercolor wash, and what I find so intriguing is how this piece is a kind of study in the making. See how the artist lays down these delicate washes, one over the other, kind of like how I build up layers of paint in my own work? It’s like they're figuring it out as they go along, letting the process guide them. The way the colors shift and blend—especially in the lower eagle—it's almost like a dance between control and chance. And speaking of color, check out the variations in the golden hues. They used this limited palette, but look how they use it to create depth and form. The texture, too, is worth noting. You can almost feel the smoothness of the paper beneath the washes, and the slight variations in tone and shade are wonderful. This reminds me of some of Guston's works where he's just thinking through the painting. It’s all about the back-and-forth, the push and pull, and the beauty of the unfinished.