What effects of light and atmosphere did Winslow Homer explore in his watercolors?

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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 exploration of light and atmosphere in his watercolors was a key component of his artistic development. By the late 1870s, he began dedicating his summers to painting directly from nature, where he placed a greater emphasis on capturing atmospheric effects and reflected light. This focus added complexity to his work while simultaneously allowing him to achieve greater pictorial unity.1

During his time in England, specifically in the fishing port of Cullercoats, Homer faced new artistic challenges regarding the coastal environment. He mastered the use of diffused light, which, while limited in color, was infinitely varied in tone, resulting in a series of subtle and sophisticated watercolors. These observations of nature, characterized by their freshness and directness, not only defined his watercolor practice but also influenced the invigorating quality of his oil paintings throughout his career.1