Coastal Maine

(C) 2018 Dale DiMauro

With the summer upon us here in Vermont, my wife and I have been planning our annual trip to Maine. Just the thought of coastal Maine with the smell of the ocean brings forth subconscious memories of the landscape.

This little watercolor is inspired by our discussions. There is something about seeing and smelling water at this time of year which is refreshing. The verdant green in the foreground is rich with association. Not unlike Vermont with it's many shades of green, from the green mountains to the farmland, Maine has it's own greenery. There are the many fields, meadows, and pockets which include blueberry bushes. Not to mention the state tree, the pine tree and all the other landscape types from mountain to ocean.

Lately, I have been experimenting with different brushes and varying techniques. Last year I purchased a Winsor Newton Series Seven watercolor brush which I have come to believe is the best brush ever made. This brush just sitting in your hand feels unbelievable. I took it out a few days ago and cannot believe what I can do with this brush. First of all it holds a lot of water yet retains a fine point. However, it flows across the paper effortlessly. Perhaps most of all I like how pigment can be nudged across the paper from wet to dry areas simultaneously.