Stickney brook watercolor study

(C) 2016 Dale DiMauro

This is a watercolor I did plein air this past summer. Plein air is challenging to do in watercolor. However, we had a hot and humid stretch, and I wanted to hang out by the water. I took a dip in the brook and stood there painting this rapidly; however, with the humidity as it was, the paper took forever to dry. In addition to slow dry times, the light is rapidly changing, as shadows expand and colors are constantly evolving. To me this painting is not very good in addition to being unfinished. Watercolor dries much lighter than when it is wet, enough so that your excitement of the scene diminishes when you look at your art piece later at home.

One of the pluses in painting in plein air is that you must simplify your subject matter and your painting process. As I recall, I enjoyed laying out the drawing that is the basis for this picture. I also like the color of the rocks and ledges, which convey warmth and light through the water. 

Vermont, where I live, is a great place to paint plein air, at least in the summer and fall when there are lots of places that can provide inspiration, such as rivers, fields, foliage and covered bridges.