Ok, so my attempt at a watercolor painting of Currituck Light might look more like a Homer Simpson than a Winslow Homer, Winslow is the topic today. Specifically, his mastery of watercolor. In the annals of American Art History, there are few more important painters than Homer. Winslow, that is.
In his early days as an illustrator, he chronicled the American Civil War and later on as fine artist he covered everyday rural American life with a simplicity and honesty unrivaled. Originally trained as a realist, he eventually became one the first (the first?) unofficial American Impressionists. His most famous works are those done in oil although he is widely recognized for his mastery of water colors as well. He himself believed that his watercolors would pay the bills while the oil paintings he produced - and he thought of his art a "product"- would gain him notoriety. That's kind of how it worked out.
I'd always thought that Winslow Homer's watercolors looked as though they were dashed off in mere moments by a confident master as recreation between major oil paintings. It seems like his watercolors got to the point quickly and with few strokes. Effortlessly. Well, the Art Institute of Chicago decided to take a closer look. It turns out this history geek doesn't know squat about one of America's most famous historic painters.
The AIC took 25 of Homer's watercolors and turned loose infrared cameras, microscopes and color analyzing thingys on them. It turns out that it takes a lot of effort to make those paintings look effortless. In the conservation section of the website you can see the results of their findings. He scraped the paper with pen knives, employed sand paper to dried color and even used chalk to mask certain areas. The infrared camera reveals details that were drawn in and later painted out to completely change the painting's meaning. They've effectively turned back clock 100+ years and given us a peak over Winslow's should while he works. I can now look at these watercolors with a brand new appreciation. The painting below is not part of the study, but I can see where he used many of the techniques uncovered.
Although the Art Institute of Chicago's show, entitled "Winslow Homer, The Color of Light" is now over, you can check out the website for more information. Even if you aren't an art history buff, the scientific analysis is very cool.
Heck, I might even try my hand at watercolors again. Thanks for the tips Mr. Homer!
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