Landscape Study

(C) 2020 Dale DiMauro

These are the kind of watercolors I learn the most from. Playing with colored pigments and dragging the brush across the texture of the paper gives the artist many ways to develop their skills. Often you don't need to have much pigment as you can achieve a lot with a little. By adding water you have a greater range of value to play with. 

Often I will begin experimenting with a new pigment in these studies and before long I will have figured out how I would like to include them in my painting. For example, in the last year I have rediscovered permanent alizarin crimson. When combined with cobalt blue it makes a lovely varied sky. Not a true blue postcard type sky but an atmospheric wash in which to set the landscape under.

I have to say I like writing these posts about my painting process because it makes me think about what I am doing or how I operate. Hopefully, these ramblings will give you some inspiration in your own creative pursuits.