Sturry, near Canterbury

Title: Sturry, near Canterbury

Goodwin often used diagonal lines to create movement in a composition as here with the tree that dominates the sketch. Goodwin was also adept at creating an impression not only of what was directly in front of him but also the essence of a place. Ruskin had taught him to study two thirds form and one third colour, enabling him to use his skills at drawing structure while viewing a subject irrelevant of weather or lighting conditions. He would use his experience of painting from nature to add colours in his studio to create a pleasing atmospheric effect to the finished picture.