Misty morning, Dora Creek 1915

Julian Ashton painted this dreamy little scene, Misty morning, Dora Creek, with oil on canvas, and what strikes me first is how the light is handled; it's like the whole scene is breathing! Looking closer, you'll see how Ashton layers thin washes of paint, one on top of another. The texture isn't about thick globs; instead, it’s about how these layers create depth and that hazy atmosphere. Notice the boat closest to us and how it’s rendered with such soft, gentle strokes. It melts into the water, blurring the line between the physical boat and its reflection. That particular mark feels so crucial, the whole painting hinges on that moment of connection between the object and its mirrored self. This reminds me of Corot, who was also all about capturing those fleeting, atmospheric effects, and both show how painting is an ongoing conversation across time. The beauty here isn't about sharp details, it's in the ambiguity.