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.