Three Oxen c. 1910

John Singer Sargent made this watercolor painting of three oxen with who knows what brush and a whole lot of talent. Look how the washes of colour bleed and blend, like a happy accident in the making. The materiality is all about transparency and light. Thin layers of pigment allow the paper to glow from underneath, creating a luminous effect. See how the browns and yellows of the hay contrast with the cool greys and whites of the oxen. It's as if Sargent is trying to capture not just the form but the very essence of these creatures. My favourite mark is the dark brown squiggle just above the hay at the back, so quick and easy, but it's what defines the whole space. Sargent reminds me a little of Manet and other impressionists, capturing fleeting moments with such speed and immediacy. It is this ability to embrace ambiguity and the unexpected that makes art such a fascinating and ongoing conversation.