Study for home on Leave 1945

Norman Rockwell made "Study for Home on Leave" without a specified date, and it gives the impression of having been put together piece by piece, like building a house. The grass is comprised of tiny dabs of green paint, and the skin of the dog and sailor is the same, a variety of brushstrokes and colours which come together to create a greater feeling of realism. Looking closely, the artist has painted the grass with short strokes of green, yellow, and brown paint, giving the impression of texture and depth. The shadows under the hammock and the dog are created with darker shades of green and brown, while the highlights on the grass are painted with lighter shades of yellow and green. The combination of these colors and brushstrokes creates a sense of warmth and relaxation, like a hot summer day. Rockwell reminds me a bit of Fairfield Porter. Both are artists who find beauty in the everyday, even if Porter is more interested in the geometry of domestic life, whereas Rockwell is more interested in the narrative. Art is just one big conversation between artists, and we're all just trying to figure things out as we go.