Vermont Landscape

                                                                                       (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Vermont truly has a green landscape. Maybe not so much in the winter but definitely during the summer months. This watercolor actually depicts a spring scene during one of the drier seasons I can recall.

During a local garden tour I took a photograph of this scene because it was so verdant and calming. I knew I had to paint this at some point. I think I was drawn to the sky as much as the landscape.

This was painted on a watercolor block of 'The Masters Choice'. This paper has a rough surface which I have really come to embrace.

New Palette

                                                                          (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Several weeks ago my palette of a decade(seen below) separated from the top and simply gave out. This sized palette was great as it did not take up much space and was relatively portable. However, without a cover the pigments can spill and it became a challenge to transport. 

Several years ago I bought a second palette of the same dimensions and configurations which I thought I would use for painting portraits. So this one has been pressed into service. With a new palette it provides an opportunity to arrange ones's colors differently, or limit your palette or add new colors. Nevertheless, I have been agonizing over which changes I should make and then break in the new palette.

Normally, one is advised to put cool colors on one side and warm colors on the other side. So, I have stuck wth this tradition and added some of the umber and ochers in the strip above the mixing well.

While thinking about all this, I am propelled to paint larger with larger brushes which require a palette with larger paint wells. I included a larger brush in the photograph above which one can see does not fit easily into the smaller wells of this palette.

These decisions seem so important to me. Others may not see it this way. However, how you locate your pigments is critically important. When mixing pigments there are certain color combinations you rely upon to rapidly develop your painting. These color relationships evoke temperature and memories of past associations so it worth thinking this through.

Sketchbook

                                                                                      (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

It is always rewarding to draw or paint in my sketchbook. I really have no hesitation so the pen or brush starts flowing once I open it up. Plus, it is great to refer back to, as I experiment with numerous color combinations and thumbnail sketches.

Developing sketches on the human form are essential for me as my images become more and more fluid. In addition, I find it important to adjust my painting approach depending on which paper os surface I am using. Thin papers I am more likely to paint wet on dry while heavier surfaces I aim for more of a wet on wet approach, if it seems right.

Regardless, once I put pen or brush to paper, the creativity just oozes out. I increasingly want to paint with a larger brush on a bigger scale.

Color Mixes & Landscape Painting

                                                                                        (C)2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Discovering new color combinations is always inspiring. It simply changes my relationship to the landscape and transforms how I see the paper. 

This blue-gray pigmentation is the result of combining quinacridone violet with phthalocyanine green. The cool, yellow in the foreground is hansa yellow which seemed like a fit to drop into the foreground.

This blue-gray pigmentation seemed alive when it was wet and full of energy as I worked the edges of the wash. As lively as it is it seemed like a background color, nonetheless.

I write the names of these color combinations on my swatches so I can refer to them when necessary. It is sort of a vocabulary I can draw upon.

Square Format

                                                                                       (C)2023 Dale DiMauro

Using a square format is not something I utilize on a regular base. It is probably not the best format to portray a landscape, as a horizontal format is more suitable. However, this watercolor block was available without a painting on it and on a large scale(12" x 12") so I wanted to see what I could do with it.

This is a good format for painting a portrait but I do like to experiment and push the boundaries and see what I can learn from it. The square format I find makes an artist center their subject matter and technique in the middle of the paper which lends itself to a more formal approach.

I do like the color combinations and the suggestion of grass in the foreground with the absence of pigment.

Repairing a Watercolor Painting

                                                                           (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

This is a watercolor I am proud of. Last Wednesday as the forest fire smog had moved into the Northeastern states in America I had started to feel a bit sick and decided to stay indoors all day (as was recommended from local air quality advisories).

I started this watercolor but did not like some of the placement of my washes as they left hard edges in undesirable places, such as in the middle of the image. So I decided to lift paint from the paper in the middle and background. This took repeated damping of the paper with water and then absorbing the pigment with a paper towel.

This landscape became promising as I added new washes which clarified the middle and backgrounds. In addition, modifying the placement of the tree seemed more natural while framing the landscape.

As a result of this watercolor, I have a renewed confidence in repairing a painting when necessary instead of giving up on it.

Figure Study

                                                                        (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Watercolor is so versatile I love it. This morning I woke up with a cough and a sore throat, I think due to this poor air quality. Instead of painting a watercolor I did a figure study in my sketchbook. I pretty much painted this while standing up.

What makes watercolor so versatile is that you can paint on various scales with multiple-sized palettes. I have an expandable palette which will fit in a small ziploc bag and others the size of my computer. Plus, you can paint on so many different surfaces. I have painted on various textures of paper, illustration board, numerous sketch books and with mixed media.

For me keeping the continuity of painting going is important. It is all too easy to become distracted or sidetracked. I learn so much about watercolor painting on a daily basis.

Plein Air Magazine

                                                                             (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Plein Air Magazine has a monthly competition where artists can submit paintings and potentially win money and/or recognition at the same time. In addition, there is an annual competition with a winner taking home $15,000.

Well, this past week I entered photographs of two paintings into this competition. One of the paintings included is the watercolor above, which was done in plein air, in Keene, NH.

In the past entering art competitions on-line was very frustrating as the technology was challenging or required more time than I was willing to give. This submittal process went very smooth and really didn't require much of my time.

Hopefully, I will see one my paintings in one of their magazines and perhaps receive an award.