Grey Lady (Mrs. Ince) 1912

Tom Roberts made this portrait, Grey Lady, with oil on canvas, layering brushstrokes and blending colours to capture a likeness. I imagine Roberts, brush in hand, carefully studying his sitter, Mrs. Ince, trying to capture her presence on canvas. The paint is applied in soft, blended strokes, especially in the background and the sitter's dress, which creates a sense of atmosphere and light. I’m drawn to the hat, built from multiple layers of paint to create form and texture. You can see the movement in the brushstrokes, capturing the fluffiness of the feathers. Roberts was part of the Heidelberg School, a group of Australian impressionists who painted en plein air. You can see how the artist experiments with light and colour in this intimate portrait.