Out on the Water

(C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

Painting on Arches watercolor blocks is a favorite pastime of mine. I appreciate it when the paper is as tight as a drum, free of buckling. It is exciting to drag the brush across the texture of the paper and initiate the creation in watercolor.

I feel good about my start to this watercolor. The gray tones at this point makes the painting look like a value study. The focal point is absolutely clear - the canoe and two individuals. Adding color is like putting frosting on a cake.

However, I am usually thinking about how I intend on proceeding. The biggest question or judgement in this painting, is how should I handle the shoreline which is the background. I will paint the distant shoreline with one continuous wash by dropping in browns and greens to suggest foliage. As I make my way up the paper the washes will be more diluted and perhaps suggest mist.

These are at least my thoughts before proceeding. However, the result may be something altogether different. Regardless, I am comfortable with the direction this picture is heading.