Winslow Homer, "Waiting for the Start" 1889

Purpose:

To become familiar with Winslow Homer, a Maine artist;

To look at Homer’s work as a way to inform and inspire your own work;

Title:Waiting for the Start

Medium: Watercolor

Year of creation: 1889

Describe as much as you can about the artwork.  What is happening?  How many people and/or animals are in it and what are they doing?  Describe any buildings that you see.  What time of day is it?  What colors are used?  There are dogs in a boat.  There are five dogs in a boat.  There are no buildings.  It’s 5 o’clock PM.  Dark colors are used.

 

Point of interest/Composition – What attracts your eye first?  Where is it located? How does Homer draw your attention to this area?  (color contrasts, lines, location, changes in pattern, etc.) The dogs catch my eye.  The dogs are in the middle.

Balance - Is there symmetrical or asymmetrical balance? Explain…

A symmetrical balance because

Depth/Perspective- Is there a horizon line?  What is in the foreground, middleground, and background?  Is the background very deep and far away or is this painting shallow and close up? How do you know; describe it.

Mood – What are the feelings, emotions and/or mood you get when you look at this painting?  How do the colors, lines, brushstrokes, composition, subject matter contribute to the mood?

Interpret - Now that you have looked closely at the artwork and have read the title, describe the story of the painting. What do you think Homer was trying to communicate?