Towards the Hill 1967

Ken Danby made "Towards the Hill" with watercolor, a medium often associated with amateur art because it’s affordable, portable, and relatively easy to learn. However, here, Danby displays extraordinary virtuosity. Look closely at the granular texture of the dirt road, achieved through meticulous layering and dry-brush techniques. It's a painstaking process demanding control and precision, far removed from the spontaneous washes we typically associate with watercolor. The realism is heightened by the figure's anonymity. We see only the back of a cyclist, clad in denim and leather, ascending the hill. The use of commonplace materials and attire connects the image to everyday life. The artist elevates a mundane scene to a level of high detail, requiring intense labor and skill. The painting challenges hierarchies within the art world, suggesting that the distinction between fine art and craft lies not in the medium, but in the artist's mastery and vision.