Watercolor doodle

(C) 2017 Dale DiMauro

When we were in Maine on vacation last month I purchased this small Arches watercolor block (about 4" x 10"). I found it in Northeast Harbor at a science store of all places. I thought it would be a useful size to practice painting figures. Also, it seems desirable to add a cool car or two to some of my watercolors when they are called for. I think of these as little practice sheets.

There are important lessons I have learned in regard to seating figures into the landscape. Figures give motion and direction to a picture. Just that little bit of a skin tone to the face or arm makes it feel human. The lower leg or boot needs to be of a darker value to define the presence of the figure. Washes suggesting grass or meadow around the feet naturalize the image and offer a pleasing composition.

Automobiles need to be anchored into the landscape, too. Tires usually cast shadows, which unite the vehicle with the ground plane. These shadows typically are the same value as the tires. This underbelly value gives the vehicle substance and contrasts well with the color of the frame.

I hope to practice these figure and automobile studies until I am very fluid in their execution. They give a sense of scale and character to a watercolor.