More About Color with a Winslow Homer Painting

In this painting of people at the beach, Homer’s use of color allows the viewer to experience the feeling of the day - the bright light, the warmth, what it would feel like to be there. He does this through his use of color. This brings me to the book by Michel Chevreul, a book Homer was said to never be without. This book is about the placement of colors in art and the part this plays in giving life and vibrancy to a painting. In this painting, I believe the use of yellow and blue, interspersed with white, is what gives the painting its rich impact and satisfying effect. Next week, I would like to discuss more about Chevreul and how a painter can apply Chevreul’s principles in such a way as to benefit his or her own paintings.