Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, South Wales 

James Ward created this pencil drawing of Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, in South Wales in 1834. At first glance, it may appear to be a simple sketch, but the choice of material and technique tells a more complex story. Pencil, a humble material composed of graphite and clay, allowed Ward to capture the Welsh landscape with speed and precision. This medium reflects a shift towards more accessible art practices, moving away from the expensive and time-consuming oil paintings favored by the elite. The marks on the page reveal Ward's process, the layering of lines building up the forms of the hills and buildings. The very act of sketching en plein air speaks to a changing relationship between the artist and the land, one that is less about grand, idealized views and more about direct, immediate experience. The subtle gradations achieved with pencil convey a sense of atmosphere, of being present in this particular place at this particular time. By focusing on materials and making, we can appreciate how Ward's drawing embodies a broader cultural shift towards valuing the everyday, the vernacular, and the artist's personal connection to the world.