On the Beach

                                                                      (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Painting water in all it's forms has become very satisfying for me. I like the movement of the water and the changing light across it's surface. Also, I have become more daring in my color mixes. By accident I discovered a nice dark which I have increasingly been using. This dark is the result of mixing ultramarine blue, burnt sienna and raw sienna. To me it is a more natural appearing dark than payne's gray.

I feel that I got a good start to this watercolor. It was moving along well the other day but I just have not had time to finish it. 

Painting a beach full of stones can be a challenge. However, I think it could be an asset to this painting. Nevertheless, it is the greatest challenge for me in this watercolor. 

I like the developing warm and cool colors in this picture.

Holiday Watercolor

                                                                (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Over the holiday I managed to paint this little watercolor swatch on the back of a piece of scrap paper. There is much saturated color in this picture which gives the image an overwhelming green quality. 

Often I pre-stain my watercolor sheet in advance of painting. The watercolor sheet here, was stained with a diluted cobalt blue. I realized the greens would have a bit of blue in them, just as the sky and water in the foreground. The saturation of paint through several washes enabled me to develop richer depth in the foliage.

Over time conscious or not, I have gravitated to painting with more and more Holbein paints instead of using the Winsor Newton pigments I have used in the past. I am particularly fond of combining quinacridone gold and manganese blue for vibrant Summer foliage.

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah

                                                                     (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and healthy New Year. Hopefully, 2021 will become a very different year than 2020 has been, full of optimism and a return to normalcy.

It is time to embrace the Winter season as it is upon us. The fresh snow has brightened up the landscape and brought a spiritual quality to the land. My wife and I went on a candle lit walk through the woods the other night which was quite a pleasant experience. 

At this time of year if the sun is out I enjoy the quality of light cast across the snow during mid-day. That is what inspired me to paint this picture. Also, the warmer light reassures us that Spring is coming.

Thoughts on Capturing the Figure

                                                                 (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

Painting the figure is always a challenge. It is most rewarding though. 

If drawing is about seeing as they say, you notice things every step of the way. During the development  of your drawing you see certain aspects of the figure that need to be corrected. You truly see the posture of the individual as unique to that person. However, the figure becomes the focal point of the picture regardless of how beautiful you have portrayed the landscape.

This watercolor doodle I did on a piece of scrap paper. I like how the light comes from the left across the boys clothing and body. Against the white of the paper I find this image quite captivating. 

So often we cover the paper in watercolor with pigment when the unpainted surface has a lot to offer on it's own.

Living Memorial Park

                                                                     (C) Dale DiMauro
 

Due to COVID-19 I have visited Living Memorial Park, in Brattleboro, VT our local recreational area, more than any other year by far. Over the course of the various shutdowns and summer season I discovered how much the park has to offer. Not only do we have ballfields, hiking trails, a t-bar for skiing and a children's playground but a skatepark, dog run, and performance stage. There are numerous other activities I have left out.

Early in the season I played tennis many times in the park. I came to appreciate the changing light late in the afternoon, as noticed from the tennis courts. These experiences inspired me to try to capture the atmospheric qualities of this time of year.

This plein air watercolor was finished at home. I was struck by the interesting clouds and burst of greenery.

Pencil Studies

                                                              (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Pencil sketches are a great way to record something you observe or capture an unresolved idea. This way you can come back to it at a later time, if necessary. I have learned over time it is best to make a strong graphic mark by pressing the pencil firmly on to the paper. These sketches are a quick way to jog your memory. Also, they advance the artist's mind with regards to composition.

These pencil sketches reference a beach scene I have been contemplating for a watercolor painting. However, I am not yet sold on the composition. In the meantime to get my juices flowing I have developed a series of sketches and some watercolor studies to spur me on.

A Local Landscape

(C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

Even though it gets dark early at this time of year there is something special about this period prior to snow and ice arriving. This is the time of year when all the colors fade away. The structure of the landscape reveals itself. Much of the bird activity is long gone.

However, the light at mid-day can be quite appealing. The siennas and ochres dominate the landscape.

Recently, I have been using mop or quill brushes more and more in my watercolor painting. They offer a variety of strokes from a wide wash to fine lines while maintaining a fine point. For some of these watercolors I use just two brushes.

Late Fall Landscape

                                                                   (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Often I hike through various fields near to where I live. I observe the cloud patterns, seasonal changes and changing light. These fields become challenging to navigate as the snow, ice and mud develop during the winter months.

However, I don't recall walking this late in the season in these areas with such good footing. The other day the length and character of the shadows was so present.

I worked on this watercolor the other day, stepped back and was struck by the dramatic light. The low horizon with the tall sky really got me thinking. This strong composition I believe, is what landscape painting is all about. 

The Hudson River Painters certainly were masters at depicting the drama of light in the landscape. The large canvases immediately draw the viewer into that experience.

Sketchbook Drawing

                                                                    (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Sometimes a drawing is all you need. Color is great but not every image requires it. A sepia painting can fit the bill. 

In this drawing I was interested in resolving how I wanted the landscape to be, compositionally. I like the inlet created over the paddler's head offering more depth and clarity to the shoreline. In addition, the kayaker is no longer lost in the foliage.

While watercolor is a wet medium when painting, drawing is a dry medium which makes it valuable when you have limited time or are traveling.

Landscape Painting

                                                                   (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Heading out on open water is always rewarding. That is a reference to paddling on one of the many ponds, lakes and rivers we have at our disposal. During the summer, the color of the water, abundant growth and greenery make me want to be out in the landscape.

Before Thanksgiving I started this painting on the backside of a watercolor I didn't care for. It has a fresh and light feel as the colors are inviting. 

Most of this painting has been done with a rigger brush which provides this expressive line work and edge treatment. The canopy of growth above the view is unusual in landscape painting. It is usually cropped out or excluded. However, I feel it adds much to the scene.

Happy Thanksgiving!

                                                                    (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Hopefully this strange year will yield a much better 2021 in more ways than one. This is a collage of smaller watercolors done in the past year. With workshops, classes, schools, demonstrations and the like canceled, all I can write about is my own watercolor journey. It is better to include other events and shows on occasion, but this year most of those events have vanished.

For me I can look back at watercolors I have done this year and find new directions not to mention inspiration. Hopefully, you the reader can take on a new perspective as this year concludes. Regardless of the political climate and public health we have a bounty of beauty around us to appreciate and lead us into a new renaissance.

Gone Fishing

                                                                   (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Painting a figure in your watercolor dominates the landscape. All eyes go to that person. What is he doing and who is that, are questions that come to mind. However, capturing an activity or posture can be quite rewarding. Including a person in your painting can also draw your eye into the picture, adding more depth.

This was painted on Arches hot-pressed watercolor paper. I have experimented with other hot-pressed papers but this was the first painting I would say I have ever done on this surface. The paint behaves markedly differently on this surface. It is smooth paper and the pigment sits on the surface. From my experience, you have to learn when to stop painting on this surface, or you can make your picture worse. However, paint on this surface makes interesting marks once you get a feel for how to move the paint around.

When painting on this surface I find there is an enhanced clarity of forms and more vivid colors. Some artists use this paper to develop compositional studies or quickly record the figure.

Vermont Countryside

                                                                        (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Watercolor is such a versatile medium. You can go in so many different directions when painting with these pigments. In addition, the marks you make and the colors you combine, on the multitude of papers and textures, seems unlimited.

Originally, I was drawn to these two old apple trees full of character and that dip in the contour in the background. However, I carried this painting to a further state than I initially thought I would. I discovered trees and techniques that lent themselves to inclusion in this painting. 

In my travels locally, raw umber seems to be an important aspect of capturing the late fall landscape. Once the deciduous trees have shed their leaves, the tawny colors are prevalent in the changing light. 

Watercolor Sketch

                                                                    (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Any scrap of paper can be a good source to capture a watercolor. This watercolor sketch was done on the end sheet of one of my watercolor blocks. This has become a valuable space to work out compositions and test color studies. Sketchbooks are another area I have painted watercolors over pencil and pen.

When visiting museums that display watercolors, I am always curious what the artist painted on. I have seen many Andrew Wyeth paintings in galleries and am convinced some of his images were either drawn or painted on tracing paper amongst other surfaces.

Recently, I have included raw umber in my landscape compositions. Some artists complain it is overused in landscape painting. However, raw umber has a greenish cast which I interpret out in nature. Thus, it has found its way onto these endpapers in combination with ochers and other umbers. I have learned this experimentation or record keeping is important in an artist's development.

Brattleboro Common

                                                                   (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

The weather Tuesday in southern Vermont was simply beautiful. The temperature topped out in the upper sixties if not seventy degrees. This is not what you expect in Vermont during the second week of November. 

I have to say this warm spell is quite disorienting. All this work such as raking the yard as we get our homes ready for winter and then we have Spring-like temperatures.

However, these higher temperatures got me out painting yesterday and I enjoyed every minute of it. The light and shadows on the landscape gave me more than enough inspiration. I really noticed how tawny the landscape looks at this time of year.

Plein Air Painting (watercolor study)

                                                                 (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

With this glorious spring-like weather, it feels important to paint outside, whenever I can, before the winter sets in. I have to admit it is hard adjusting to this time change as it gets dark earlier and earlier in the late afternoon. However, it is hard to beat seventy degree temperatures in November here in Vermont.

I did not allow enough time to finish this watercolor. It is hard to know how much time I actually need at this time of year. Perhaps I will go back on site to finish it. There is something compelling about the reflections of colors and shapes across water.

For me it is important to mix colors observed out in nature. There is such a range of colors to draw upon on our palettes, but the colors of nature convey a mood specific to a setting. Also, mixing pigments outside expands our horizons in ways we cannot anticipate.

Majestic Maple

                                                                  (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

This fall during peak season in southern Vermont I worked so much I didn't have time to get out and see the fall colors as I usually would. The threat of COVID-19 played a role, too, particularly with so many events canceled this season. Yet, we had lovely weather in September and October, the best I can remember in years.

This watercolor was painted this evening. It was inspired from attending the local Dummerston Pie Festival in years past. One year, on my way to purchase one of their yummy apple pies, I parked across from this glorious maple during its peak color season. 

This seemed as good a time as any to pay tribute to this maple. Hopefully, next season, at least culturally, life can head towards some sort of normalcy.

Late October in Vermont

                                                                 (C)2020 Dale DiMauro
 

This fall in Vermont is ending abruptly as frequent rains and snow have entered the picture. Not to mention low temperatures. October had lovely fall colors and great weather but this weekend the changing of the calendar is sending us to the edge of winter.

Painting the landscape outside has suddenly become rather challenging. The diminished light levels and time change are forcing me to paint inside or at different times of the day.

The other day I got this watercolor in, with a view towards the west of Brattleboro, across a local field. Capturing some of the local colors can be challenging, yet satisfying. I feel like burnt sienna and raw umber are an integral part of the natural landscape at this time of the year.

Quick Sketch

                                                                 (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Now that the weather is getting colder and the days are shorter it is exciting to get back to work in the studio. I have been thinning out stuff in my studio for several days gearing up to paint larger watercolors.

This quick watercolor sketch has me inspired to see what I can do with what I have learned from painting outside over the summer. It was painted on the jacket cover of an Arches watercolor block I have. This space has become valuable for expressing ideas and developing various compositions. As it has been said it gets the juices flowing.

Since late September I have really taken to drawing in my sketchbooks. In part as a way to deal with the political and public health we our navigating through. I do notice progress in capturing the figure and portraiture with more fluid marks than in the past.

Whetstone River

                                                                 (C)2020 Dale DiMauro
 

This watercolor was started late in the summer. I had arranged what I consider to be a nice drawing and then the sky darkened over and the rain came down hard and furious. However, the watercolor was still on my watercolor block so I figured it was best to carry it forward even though the subject matter looks different these days.

Recently, I have been learning the value of browns in watercolor painting. They can add a lot to your painting. They have an earthy or naturalistic quality which you find out in nature. Plus there is such a range of browns to work with and thus as a means of expression.

This painting in some ways looks like it could be of a subject matter in a drier region of the country. However, with the all the autumnal color passing and falling to the ground I think the colorations are fairly true.

Blackwing Palomino Sketch Pencil

                                                                (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

This summer I discovered the Blackwing Palomino sketch pencil. However, I am not sure where I first learned of them. I did read that noted watercolorist Thomas W. Schaller, in an article, in Plein Air Magazine uses them.

When I was traveling, in Montpelier, Vt, during the summer, the local art store had them and I was eager to sample some. They provide a smooth stroke which I noticed when I first drew with them.

If you love to draw, experimenting with new materials is alway something I look forward to. I believe trying out new approaches and media pushes an artists development.

Since the summer I learned that these pencils were popular in the past with artists working on two dimensional animation.

Late Day Light is Stunning

                                                                   (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

The fall foliage has been great this year. In addition we have had such beautiful weather of late. Some of the foliage even seems to radiate color in certain light.

When possible I have fit in walks in the late afternoon before the sun starts to go down. It is during this time when the temperature for the day is near it's highest. This is when the light and shadows seem to be the most dramatic. If you are a landscape painter this has to fire you up with inspiration.

This is a topic I had to post about. It is truly a glorious time of year. On the downside there are all those leaves to rake.

Color Swatches

                                                                  (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Color is everything to painters. It is sort of a vocabulary to draw upon. And the better your vocabulary, the greater the resource you have to reference.

I have a notebook of color swatches which I add to periodically. Once I hear of a new or different color combination I record the swatch down for future use.

This is my latest addition. The one on the top is a light, warm gray created by mixing cobalt blue and burnt sienna. The one on the bottom resembles a light skin tone. This one was created by combining aureolin yellow and rose madder genuine.

Over time with practice I have noticed my washes have improved with a cleaner application and less fussing about.

                                                                   (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Today I did some plein air painting in one of the fields owned by the Brattleboro Retreat. With the increased traffic in town viewing the foliage it seemed wise to paint local. Also, it kept me away from any chances of getting exposed to COVID-19.

It was a beautiful fall day and I still was able to catch some glorious colors before it all goes away.

Most days out painting I modify my equipment a bit. I brought my small shoulder bag with a watercolor block, palette and paints. This way all I had to carry in my hands was a small, foldable chair which I used to rest my palette, brushes and bag on. This ended up working out well even though the shade moved in and I felt a stiff breeze at times.

Fall on the Ice Pond

                                                                 (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Fall colors come and go so fast. The heavy rains seem to knock the deciduous trees barren. This combined with the rapidly shortened length of day and it definitely feels like we are between seasons.

This watercolor was done in under an hour. I should say it is probably not finished. However, the next time I get outside to paint the landscape is likely to look totally different. 

Many artists say it is difficult to capture the colors of fall in a painting without looking too gaudy. Often, I try to capture what I see out in nature. Each time painting I try to have an open mind as it is a new experience.

Along the West River

                                                                    (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Recently, I was reading a used book, titled, Painting More Than the Eye Can See, by Robert Wade, a noted watercolor painter. He encourages artists to paint postcard-sized sketches on a daily basis, as one can progress significantly, even in as short a time as a month. 

This is one such sized watercolor. This took longer than the eight minutes he allows but I think this composition is more thought-out and complicated than some of the ones in his book.

You can see the new I-91 bridge in the distance. This watercolor has many of the colors we associate with the landscape of Vermont during the summer months.

Scott Farm

                                                                   (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Earlier this week I was fortunate to join the Saxton's River Art Group for some plein air painting at a nearby farm. Rain had been forecast, but the morning turned out to be quite conducive for painting outside.

The fall colors stood out in contrast to the gray skies. It made me realize how important it is to get outside before the deciduous trees all shed their leaves in the upcoming weeks.

When starting this watercolor, I didn't notice the outbuilding in the foreground. It is neglected and invaded by growth. Soon, I embraced it as an asset.

I like the overall character of the landscape and the sense of depth in this picture.

Hubbard Park

                                                                  (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Hubbard Park in Montpelier, VT is a 194 acre park north of the Vermont State House. It has lovely trails and open fields. In addition, it has a fifty-four foot stone observation tower which has since been added to the National Register of Historic Places. 

Since visiting this park in the late summer I keep having flashbacks of the lovely fields and open spaces which you would only find in Vermont. They are not filled with playgrounds and paved over but have wildflowers, organic configurations and minimal maintenance.

I painted this watercolor on rough paper, Arches to be exact. Rough paper has a strong texture to it's surface, as it's name implies, when used to great affect it can be quite expressive. With more practice hopefully I can take advantage of the numerous high points on the paper.

Watercolor Doodle

                                                                  (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

It feels good to simply push the paint around sometimes. There had been some watercolor marks on this sheet of paper which had some abstract qualities. Yet, I could envision a landscape if I developed this further.

Watercolor painting I think is most successful when done in succession. There is a certain freedom of expression and looseness when one digs into a painting. Once one becomes hesitant or tentative I believe it shows in the work.

As a result this landscape felt good as I worked through it. It may not be my best painting but I enjoyed the process. Along the way I experimented with different ways to portray the water and the foliage in the foreground.

Sebago Lake

                                                                   (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

Recently, I was perusing photographs I took over the summer. This summer has definitely been different from others in the past due to COVID-19 and it's lack of genuine social interaction, and this photograph stood out, representing the absence of people and the beauty of nature. It seemed worthy of a post.

I took this photograph when visiting Sebago Lake in Maine. This is the second largest lake in the state of Maine but one of the cleanest bodies of water and beaches I have ever been in or on. This photograph seemed like it could have been taken at a tropical beach far from Maine.

The vivid colors, ripples, and transparency of the lake water give this image the qualities you often find in a watercolor painting. My wife and I discovered this protective cove within the State Park late in the afternoon as the sun was getting low with spectacular light affects.

Plein Air Landscape

                                                                (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Earlier in the week I had the opportunity to paint outside with the Saxton's River Art Group. We met at the Four Column's Inn in Newfane, Vermont. The morning started off chilly, but it ended up being a lovely day weatherwise.

I like the location, subject matter, and composition that I settled on. However, this watercolor needs a little more work. The colors seem drab, but I feel as though they do capture the scene. I did take artistic license in eliminating certain features, specifically some small shrubs along the water's edge. 

Along the Passumpsic River

                                                                 (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

During my Summer travels I learned the Passumpsic River which weaves through St. Johnsbury, Vermont is quite a scenic body of water. My wife and I saw the sun begin to set along this river after being passed by a gathering of girls softball players as they headed to their cars. Of course we had our masks on and kept our distance. 

The Moose River also in St. Johnsbury, Vermont merges with the Passumpsic River. While this is a smaller river it has lovely falls, ripples and pools along it's rocky shoreline. One need not ponder how this river got it's name. A woman who works at the local boutique in downtown St. Johnsbury told me moose have been known to cross the main streets in town.

This watercolor is of the Passumpsic River facing downstream with it's blue waters and lush shoreline.

Broadening the Palette

                                                               (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

Earlier this Summer I bought a book on John Singer Sargent when my wife and I visited the the Clark Art Museum in Williamstown, MA. I have been studying Sargent's watercolors ever since. 

Along the way I have become curious about Sargent's use of yellows and browns in his watercolors. The use of yellows for the sky and browns in general have been a weak area for me. Part of the issue is that I haven't even considered going in that direction at all and the other factor is a lack of browns which I have found captivating. 

Lately, I have been experimenting with different combinations of yellows and browns to incorporate into my watercolors. Two color combinations which I have been playing with are red madder/aureolin yellow and paynes gray/burnt sienna. The first combination has a warm, lively orangish tint and the other is a cool brown. Both are much better than anything you would find in a paint tube. The value studies on the left side of the image show some of the tinkering around with these pigments.

Sunset Reservoir

                                                                           (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

Paddling at this time of year is quite a treat. With such beautiful weather the atmosphere has been so clear and transparent. Along the shoreline of our local bodies of water you can see the bottom with such clarity.

The reflections from the sky onto the water is what attracted me to this subject matter. In addition, the greens of the foliage are so vivid and full of life.

I painted this watercolor rapidly as it was so much fun to work on. There are colors and natural patterns which take time to fully appreciate. However, once I delved into this scene I mixed pigments I had not combined before.

Plein Air Painting: Watercolor Study

                                                                  (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro
 

This past Monday I did some watercolor painting with the Saxton's River Art Group in Walpole, N.H. Since I was amongst all these historical buildings along The Common I figured it was a good time to try a plein air with an architectural focus. I didn't include the whole building as time would be limited and  the light was going to change rapidly.

The perspective is not quite right but I have done worse in the past so I was somewhat pleased with what I came up with. I tweaked the landscape so my focus could settle on the building's features.

It truly is a challenge to capture a building's details out in the natural light. First you have to settle on a composition that is not too involved. Then as you work on your picture you see things you didn't see when you began. However, there is a strong presence to the building which I find refreshing.

Groton State Forest

                                                  (C) 2020 Photograph Dale DiMauro

While on vacation in northern Vermont my wife and I discovered Groton State Forest. On the map I noticed there were several state parks in close proximity, which is unusual. Little did we know that Groton State Forest consists of 26,164 acres of largely undeveloped land. The forest occupies land in several towns which include Groton, Marshfield, Plainfield and Topsham.

Vermont is well known for hidden jewels off the beaten path but this treasure was on a scale I was not prepared for. We saw sweeping vistas of distant mountains, lakes, ponds, hiking trails and vast tracts of pristine forest. Later on I learned there are seven state parks located in Groton State Forest. One, Kettle Pond State Park seems to be quite the gem. It has clean, clear water and is as beautiful as any body of water I have ever seen.

It is important to find inspiration in new experiences and broaden our horizons as we find our way through this pandemic. This trip heightened my awareness of our surroundings as we traversed territory we would not normally seek as a means to avoid at-risk COVID-19 areas.

Plein Air Painting

   C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

On Monday I was fortunate in joining the Saxton's River Art Group for one of their scheduled plein air gatherings. I had not painted outside with a group this year largely due to Covid 19 and other work conflicts. Needless to say it was a meaningful outing.

We met at Alyson's Orchard in Walpole, NH at 9:30 AM. By then the sun and humidity were increasing but I was able to secure a spot under a canopy of shade looking out into one of the orchards. 

This watercolor was done entirely on site. Overall, I feel good about this picture. The one area where I wanted more resolution was the contour of the field beyond the road which drops before reaching that first apple tree.

The quality of the light and fresh coloring of the landscape appeals to me. Even the treatment and warmth to the sky were reminiscent of the atmospheric qualities that morning.

Great Blue Heron

                                                             (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

This large bird in the water is hard to miss. I believe it is a Great Blue Heron. This was spotted in the middle of the day on Saturday in the Ashuelot Park in Keene, N.H. It was close to the boat landing, as you can see right in open water.

This Great Blue Heron just stood in the shallow water, by itself, occasionally shaking the mud off it's lower leg ever so gingerly. It seemed to be hunting for fish in the shallow waters. I was amazed as there were plenty of people around going about their business and making all kinds of noises.

These large birds make a great focal point no matter what the setting they are found in. They just stop me in my tracks. In addition, for their size they seem so graceful.

Andrew Wyeth @ the Farnsworth Art Museum

 

After a nearly two week vacation my wife and I rolled back in to town. We planned our trip to avoid any real concentration of people. With the threat of COVID-19 that can be a challenge, but overall we saw some great sights and broadened our horizons, which was much needed.

We hiked, swam and caught some limited cultural events along the way. When we left we were not sure what to expect economically or health wise, but everything seemed to work out. We did expect to acquire more masks and better fitting ones as most places we visited had mandatory mask requirements.

The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine has an exhibit titled, Andrew Wyeth: Maine Legacy, which was a highlight for me. This exhibition features paintings in watercolor, dry brush and egg tempera, completed during Wyeth's seventy plus years in Maine. This watercolor by Wyeth, titled Walt & Henry, was one of my favorites from our visit. It was painted in 1942. 

Late Summer in Vermont

                                                               (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

Vermont is a state full of such green foliage. Even at this time of year when many areas in the country experience droughts, Vermont somehow continues to remain green. If you happen to leave the state for a period of time you really notice this characteristic upon re-entering the region.

Even lawns which were verdant in the spring and then developed dry patches attain a different hue of green by late summer with crabgrasses and other opportunistic weeds moving in. This combination of lush growth and varied greens gives the river valleys and fields such an inviting sight.

This watercolor was inspired by a local paddle on one of the many quiet water bodies we seem to have throughout the state. It is fun to drift on the surface of the water into an inlet not knowing what's around the bend. Even on the surface of the water a paddler will come upon a growth of greenery like no where else. At this point startled frogs or turtles will often leap back into the water.

This is a summer if ever for paddling....

                                                                             (C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

This summer seems to be as hot as any in New England that I can recall. I have had to rearrange my work schedule to stay out of the heat as much as possible. Early mornings have been a mandatory start time with a mid-day hiatus to replenish my fluids and change clothing.

Local swimming is not often easily accessible if time is limited. The threat of COVID-19 makes it even more of a hassle. 

However, gliding on the water in my kayak has been quite rewarding. Fortunately, we have a diverse array of water bodies at our disposal. Somerset Reservoir in southern Vermont is one such place I like to paddle. 

Also, it gives me subject matter to paint. The color blue itself makes me feel refreshed.

ENTANGLEMENT

(C) 2020 Dale DiMauroPlants have characteristics that embody human emotions. In this time of great uncertainty, civilization itself can seem like it is unraveling. This watercolor study I did several years ago, for me, conveys a sense of disorder. Or is it a new order? The natural world has a way evolving and springing forth. There is beauty in nature if we see things as they are.

We have expectations from others which may no longer be relevant in the big picture and traditions which may be giving away to new habits. When I look back at this image all of these thoughts come to the surface.

In summation, I would say it is best to step back from your canvas or watercolor and pigments and see life with a fresh perspective.

Yellow

(C)2020 Dale DiMauro

Yellow is a challenging color to put down on the paper by itself. It can look out of place, weak or fake. On the other hand it can give warmth to a picture. 

Most of this watercolor has yellow in it. I use a lot of quinacridone yellow in creating the light green color of spring. There is yellow ochre in that warm patch in the middle. I used that because I wanted an opaque yellow which wouldn't get lost amongst all the greens. In retrospect, I could have pre-stained the paper yellow which would have projected a warmth or glow before I really started painting.

I like the distant tree with it's mottled shade projecting on the lawn. There is a bit of burnt sienna in that shadow.

As the summer season progresses I have noticed the yellow greens of spring become more blue greens until the foliage starts to turn. There are some exceptions to this observation particularly during droughts. In the early spring with the strong light some leaves actually appear transparent.

Pisgah State Park

(C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

Pisgah State Park is the largest state park in New Hampshire with 13,688 mostly wooded acres. It consists of seven ponds, wetlands and an old growth forest. Of most importance it resides in Chesterfield, NH which is only about fifteen minutes away.

Kilburn pond within the park is a popular spot for young people to take a dip or swim. Also, it is easy to get lost in this park if you veer off the labeled trails.

However, there are numerous scenic areas. I hope I captured one of those such areas in the above watercolor. This is a true summer scene with rich colors which can only be found in nature. This painting was done rapidly with no hesitation.

I feel this photograph doesn't quite capture the feel, texture and colors as in the watercolor. Regardless, there is a saturation of color which both draws the viewer in and is very expressive.

Watercolor Study

(C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

Between work demands and the heat of summer it was good to pick up the paint brush and move it around the paper. Watercolor is such a versatile medium providing such an endless array of approaches that each painting seems to be quite different on it's own merit.

This watercolor study is inspired from walking on the grounds of the Clark Art Institute several weeks ago in Williamstown, MA. Over time they have established trails through the woods and fields behind the actual museum. That is a depiction of me about to cross one of their pedestrian footbridges.

It is always good to try out new techniques when the mood strikes or when the situation seems appropriate. One of the low branches arching off the tree on the right side I created by using my fingernail. I like the free growth of the vegetation and the verdant coloring on the edge of the woods.

JOHN SINGER SARGENT: Portraits in Charcoal

When I last visited the Clark Art Institute over a week ago, my wife and I perused their gift shop, naturally, with our masks on. This handsome book stood out amongst all the other books on hand. I don't know if it is the black and white cover or the portrait but it simply drew my attention.

While sketching countless portraits of faces and figures myself, often in pencil from magazines or in person I felt like I could relate to John Singer Sargent. However, John Singer Sargent: Portraits in Charcoal by Richard Ormond is an impressive sample of one area of Sargent's productivity. It is hard for me to fathom that he did charcoal portraits of some seven hundred and fifty sitters. Most of his charcoal portraits referenced in the book are around 18" x 24" which is an impressive size that would command attention on a wall when framed.

On the same day when we were at the Clark Art Institute I learned that Sargent painted over two thousand watercolors in addition to all those large oil portraits and murals that he is known for. In contrast, Winslow Homer painted I understood around seven hundred and fifty watercolors. 

In conclusion, I have so much admiration for the quality of John Singer Sargent's artistic skills but maybe even more respect for the quantity of work he produced and so much of it while traveling. 

Homosote Boards

(C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

Homosote is a brand name for a cellulose based fiber wall board. These boards are often used for soundproofing floors, walls and ceilings. At least this is my understanding of the product.

So far this sounds like an unexciting post, right. Well, I often paint on various sizes of homosote when painting inside. I have used this particular board, as seen in the above photograph for years. These boards protect my table surface from moisture and hold up well. In addition, these boards are moisture and mold resistant against fungi.

By accident I found the value in using these boards. Someone I know was getting rid of wood scraps and encouraged me to try by mounting a sheet for painting on it. At first they feel a little rough to the hand but with use I find the fibers tend to smooth with age.

The Clark Art Institute

Photograph by Dale DiMauro

This weekend I was fortunate to visit The Clark Art Institute, in Williamstown, MA as it recently reopened to the public. It had been closed for months due to COVID -19. I consider this one of the top notch art museums in the country. However, this museum is not located in a major city, but in a majestic rural setting. So when my wife and I visit, the grounds are as important to experience as the great works hanging on the walls.

I must say the experience was quite different this time. When we first arrived we had to follow all the protocols which our modern society requires these days. That is we had to wear masks at all times in the building, wash hands frequently and keep a safe distance from others. The morning in the museum was rather quite barren of people as I passed through the galleries. However, it did become more populated as the day wore on.

One of the current exhibits is titled, LINES FROM LIFE: French Drawings From the Diamond Collection, in a gallery with lovely drawings of the human figure. The above image is from the collection of Herbert and Carol Diamond. This drawing of the The Sower, c.1850 is by Alexandre-Gabriel DeCamps(French, 1803-1860) with graphite and white chalk on paper(7 1/4 x 4 1/2 in.).

A guard in the museum informed me that numerous sculptures will be installed around the grounds in the coming weeks. After leaving the museum my wife and I took a hike through the aforementioned  trails and fields which sit above the institution. It is on this hike that you not only view the grand landscape with the Berkshires as the backdrop, but you amble through their golden fields with majestic trees in their natural environment as if out of a John Constable painting.

Sketching

(C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

When it is hot and humid outside or when I am becoming tired, drawing can be a great activity. It can be very therapeutic. To sketch freely, absent of expectations with the pencil pressed to the paper calms the mind. When you are done whether you finished a drawing or not becomes a record of where you were during this point in time.

These sketches were done while watching television in the evening. Often I experiment with different pencils or a range of softer pencils which I would not usually consider. I even experiment with these smear-free charcoal pencils that I have. It is also the time when I progress the most in trying to capture the human figure. During this period I feel like I am not trying to make a perfect drawing, just letting the pencil move around.

It has been said that drawing makes you begin see the world as you record what is going on around you. Along the way your perceptions of the world sharpen, along with your ability to communicate with others in a meaningful way. 

Red in the Landscape

(C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

It is important to include red in the landscape. That may seem like an odd statement. However, when red is actually portrayed in the landscape I believe it should be exaggerated. It adds a lot of feeling to a picture. And it's something I do not do on a regular basis. Now I don't necessarily mean pure red but somewhere in the color spectrum of red.

Reds on my palette include burnt sienna, cadmium red and alizarin crimson. Burnt sienna is one of those earth colors that mixes well with others. I often add it to my landscapes, particularly in the fields as without it, something is missing. Also, it suggests a time of year or even a degree of humidity in the air.

Cadmium red I use when trying to achieve a pure red such as a stop sign color. It it frequently used with other pigments when I make light skin tones. Since it is opaque it can appear a bit chalky, but looks great in contrast to complementary greens. Also, a touch of red added to a blue sky mixture will give it a grayish tone which can be quite lovely.

Recently, I have come to embrace permanent alizarin crimson. Regular alizarin crimson I have read is fugitive meaning the pigment fades over time. So the permanent version I use a lot in making low horizon sky's often with cobalt blue. When those two colors are mixed on my palette the colors come to life.

The entanglement of growth on the right of this watercolor was primarily painted with burnt sienna.