A View from the Northampton, MA Rail Trail

(C) 2017 Dale DiMauro

Several weeks ago, my work week was cut short so I put my bike in the car and headed down to Northampton, MA. We had, had a streak of overcast days so it was important to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. This image, inspired from a photograph, I took from my bicycle, has lingered with me ever since. I was struck by how verdant the Pioneer Valley was. I thought Vermont being the Green Mountain state and all, could not be outdone.

Lately, I have been reading about all kinds of color combinations worthy of trying in my paintings. On this very trip I purchased, The Artist's Color Guide, Watercolor: Understanding the Palette, Pigments and Properties, by Hazel Soan. For some time, I have been searching for greater knowledge in the use of color and pigments as a means to expand my color palette in watercolor and this purchase as they say, was spot on.

I have learned the fewer color combinations required, the better. For example, it is easier to combine two pigments instead of three and the less you utilize the more vibrant the wash.

This green field is a pairing of aureolin and prussian blue which I have come to use for some time. However, I tried a new dark from the combination of cadmium red and prussian blue for the tree trunk. For a couple months now, I have introduced more burnt sienna into my landscapes which seems to add a greater dimension and variety into the foreground.