Immortal Water (Kentucky Pastoral)

The various painting techniques Clarence Holbrook Carter employed come together in a disorienting scene. We look out on what was formerly the view from a now-ruined house, positioned atop its overgrown masonry. With meticulous detail and great control, Carter painted the old iron portico (or porch) of this long-gone house near Hanging Rock, Ohio. He worked in translucent watercolor, painting over an extensive graphite drawing.

Notice how Carter captured the texture of the stone wall by drawing a knife across a stiff-bristled brush to spatter the sheet with blue wash.