Summer in Vermont

(C) 2019 Dale DiMauro

There is no other place I have been in this world with the richness of greens in the Summer as in Vermont. When I have left to go visit other states they often have drought-like conditions but once I arrive back in the Connecticut River Valley, the lush, verdant landscape smells of moisture in the air. 

Lately, I have been painting the skies I experience as accurate as I can, which is not easy. When you really look above you there is great diversity in the light and cloud patterns that influences our day. 

How you paint the sky is really important as it is often the first thing I put down in watercolor. It basically, sets the mood for your painting. The other thing about skies it that they are abstract. Or at least you can tweak the colors or exaggerate the values as long as your perspective with the horizon is working in your favor. 

Also, I have learned that the landscape is a couple values darker than the sky which gives it a solid foundation. I keep this in mind while working on a painting. It seems to be a good principle to build upon instead of going back to the ground area and making corrections.