Watercolour as a Modern Medium
In this context, watercolour proved an invaluable ally. A notoriously demanding medium, it requires decisiveness, dexterity, and an intuitive command of tone and composition. For the Boys, who prioritised realism, atmosphere, and a painterly immediacy, it was a natural fit. It allowed them to capture fleeting effects of light, subtle tonal gradations, and delicate textures with a spontaneity unmatched by oil. The medium's economy of means suited their modern sensibility, as did its speed and portability. What might at first glance appear to be light, even casual impressions are, in fact, carefully structured compositions that reveal a technical assurance and refined draughtsmanship characteristic of the group as a whole.
We also know from contemporary accounts and exhibition records that the Glasgow Boys themselves held their work in watercolour in high regard. These were not preparatory studies or secondary exercises, but ambitious finished pieces, often exhibited prominently and priced accordingly.
While their oil paintings have sometimes been critiqued for their visible debts to French models, their watercolours speak in a more distinctive voice - rooted in Scottish subject matter but handled with a freshness and subtlety that sets them apart. As such, this area of their practice remains one of the most original and under-recognised facets of their legacy: rich in artistic insight and ripe for further exploration.
