Varley was a founding member of the Society of Painters in Water Colours. His approach relied on clear draughtsmanship and a restrained use of colour. Works such as Two Beached Fishing Boats and Boats on a River demonstrate his ability to capture structural details with technical precision. He often chose quiet subjects like windmills or beached vessels. His portraits, including Portrait of Elizabeth Varley, show a similar dedication to honest representation without unnecessary ornamentation.

Modern collectors value the clarity and stillness found in Varley watercolours. His compositions avoid the dramatic exaggerations common in Romantic art. Instead, they offer a calm, observational quality that suits contemporary interiors. Pieces like At Parton Hall, Staffordshire provide a window into nineteenth-century life through a lens of scientific objectivity. These prints appeal to those who appreciate technical skill and historical accuracy.