How did painting in watercolor influence Winslow Homer’s oil paintings?

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Winslow Homer: Breezing Up (A Fair Wind) — Winslow Homer *Breezing Up (A Fair Wind)*, oil on canvas by Winslow Homer, 1873–76; in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. 61.5 × 97 cm.

Winslow Homer’s mastery of watercolor significantly shaped his approach to oil painting. By adopting the medium in 1873, Homer was able to make rapid, fresh observations of nature, which allowed him to explore and resolve complex artistic problems.1

The influence of this practice on his oil paintings included:

Invigorating Spontaneity: His watercolor work lent his oil paintings the spontaneity of direct observation from nature, as seen in works like Breezing Up (A Fair Wind).1
Atmospheric Complexity: His dedicated summer practice of painting in watercolor from nature increased his concern for atmospheric effects and reflected light, which added complexity to his images while enabling greater pictorial unity.1
Pictorial Effect: In later works such as Northeaster, Homer successfully wedded the freshness of his watercolors to the power of his oils to achieve an impressive, transcendent pictorial effect.1

Ultimately, this transition allowed Homer to move beyond simple narrative, eventually leading to a greater emphasis on the expressive and abstract possibilities of his art.1