In The Lone Skier, Eric Riordon presents a quiet winter landscape animated by a single human presence moving through deep snow. A lone skier, small against the expanse, advances diagonally across the foreground, his tracks softly etched into the blue-white surface. The figure’s subdued earth-toned clothing contrasts gently with the surrounding snow, reinforcing a sense of isolation rather than drama.

At the centre of the composition, a dense cluster of evergreens rises dark and vertical, anchoring the scene and providing a strong counterpoint to the sweeping horizontals of snow and distant hills. Beyond, low rolling ridges recede into pale blues and warm ochres, suggesting sunlight catching exposed earth beneath the winter cover. The sky is open and luminous, brushed with thin clouds that add atmosphere without distraction.

Riordon’s handling is loose and painterly, with softened edges and blended passages that convey cold air, muffled sound, and the stillness of a winter day. The overall effect is contemplative and restrained, capturing not only a specific moment outdoors but also the solitary pleasure and quiet resilience of moving through a northern winter landscape.