The Artist's Studio in Afternoon Fog 1894

Winslow Homer created this painting, *The Artist's Studio in Afternoon Fog*, using oil paint on canvas. Homer has created a scene shrouded in atmosphere, achieved through loose brushwork and muted tones, and the material qualities of oil paint are essential to this effect. Oil paint allowed Homer to blend colors seamlessly, capturing the hazy, almost dreamlike quality of a foggy afternoon. The texture of the canvas, visible beneath the paint, adds another layer of depth to the painting, emphasizing the rawness of nature. Homer's choice of such humble materials is important, and it ties into wider social issues of his time. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Homer often depicted everyday scenes and working-class people, celebrating the dignity of labor and the beauty of the natural world. In this context, his use of these materials feels like a deliberate choice, a way of aligning himself with the subjects he portrayed. Understanding the materials and making process enriches our appreciation of the artwork, and also encourages us to challenge any distinction between fine art and craft.