Sky and Landscape study

(C) 2019 Dale DiMauro

As a warm-up activity I paint a little watercolor. These are usually done on odd-sized leftover watercolor paper or on the back of less than desirable paintings.

As a result of the process of plein air painting these watercolors have become rather direct and natural or free flowing in execution. This is one such watercolor. 

Recently, the sky has taken on greater significance for me in my paintings. I have been experimenting with different techniques, colorings and ways of depicting the sky. Since my first wash usually includes the sky I have gained appreciation for the mood or drama cast over the land. 

Here I painted the sky first and created an imaginary landscape based on the markings left from applying the first wash.