Browns & More Browns

                                                                                            (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

For me brown is an elusive color. In my sketchbook I right down color combinations to experiment with and document what I come up with. I want a rich, lively brown not so much a poop color.

I find that brown makes other colors sing so in essence these are neutral colors.

Recently, there are two color combinations that I save come upon which I like: raw sienna/ultramarine blue/burnt umber and new gamboge/prussian blue/permanent red. These are both lively combinations and look well on their own against the white of the paper.

Retreat Meadows

                                                                                 (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Painting fall colors in watercolor can be challenging. The colors are so intense and the saturation of pigment is important as in watercolor the colors want to bleed into the surrounding areas. However, you also want that wet wash to give you that fresh feeling that only watercolor can provide.

I took a bold chance and tried to see what I could do with this scene in watercolor. I dropped in more pigmentation before the surface dried and even then it was not enough. Brilliant orange and cadmium red were the pigments I used to try to portray the red hillside.

The setting sun made the foliage and hill look almost electric. This energy caught my eye when I drove by the Retreat Meadows. It made me pull over, park my car and run down and capture the scene with my camera before the light changed.

Local Field

                                                                               (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

It is rewarding to experiment whenever I can in watercolor whether it is with the paint, the paper or with new techniques. I lifted paint from the lower sky with a damp brush and paper towel. Also, I painted pure pigment in the upper sky to make more hard-edged clouds which I think added a touch to the painting.

These are things I would not have done a year ago yet I feel add much to my current practice of painting. In addition, the shadow in the foreground is much freer than I would have done previously.

This watercolor was painted on 'The Masters' Choice' an economical watercolor paper with a nice rough texture. I really do like this paper.

Along the West River

                                                                                 (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

This has been a glorious fall full of great fall foliage with quite a run of mild weather. With the lack of rain it seems the foliage just lingers on the trees or on the ground. There are times late in the day when a magical glow radiates across the landscape.

This watercolor was inspired by the tawny colors along the West River Trail in Brattleboro, VT. Recently, late in the day, I caught a full rainbow traipsing across the dramatic sky over the local wetlands.

I painted this watercolor on Arches 300 lb cold press paper. Usually, I prefer the 140 lb paper but I gave this one a try. The thicker paper gave me more time to work the pigments into the paper which was beneficial in developing a richer saturation of colors.

Fort Dummer State Park

                                                                                (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Fort Dummer State Park in Brattleboro, VT, is a lovely state park to camp or hike in. I usually go there in the off season when it is closed to the public. Thus, I often go for a hike or jog free of charge.

I always thought it closed for the season on labor day weekend. It actually closed for the season this year on October 14, right after the three-day weekend which had included Indigenous People's Day. 

When I went there it was a lovely fall day with mild temperatures and colorful foliage making it perfect conditions for plein air painting. There is a convenient picnic table(actually several) placed in this open field which I paint from. 

This is a study I painted before painting my actual watercolor. It ended up turning out better than my larger piece. This was painted fast and my colors blended on the paper yet kept a good degree of saturation which reminded of my experience that day.

Along the West River

                                                                                           (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Painting with black is not universally accepted in watercolor groups. I don't know why not. Many people say that painting out of the tube in black provides a dull and flat color. However, if you blend ivory black with other pigments such as sepia or sap green you can get a much richer pigmentation.

Recently, I had this back-lit experience along the West River in Brattleboro, VT. The memory of a colorless experience was so strong I had to try and capture it on paper. In this case I blended some variation of ivory black/permanent sap green/sepia and payne's gray to achieve a very rich dark.

I put it down quickly so I would not come back and fuss with it later. It was such a stark experience that I didn't want to develop a biased opinion to painting with black and white. In addition, I believe it is always good to develop an expanding palette for when the occasion arises.

Maine Landscape

                                                                                          (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Experimenting in watercolor is key to progressing with the medium. Along the way you learn techniques that can be advantageous to use when the situation arrises. 

For example, I have been adding a dark mixture at the base of vegetation to provide a substance to the root of the growth. Some of this can be seen along the far shoreline where shadows provide more interest.

Also, at the bottom of the picture, below the water, I used my atomizer to spatter dark value along the shore which offers a little movement in the air, too.

These developments in my painting practice get my juices my flowing. Also, they keep me inspired to paint and challenge myself to greater heights.

Mixing Browns

                                                                                              (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Brown is a challenging color for me to paint. It seems best to mix your own browns as the pigments explode to life with freshness. Finding good color combinations is key.

Often the browns I come up with lean either towards yellow or red. One of my favorite brown mixtures is sap green/ windsor violet and cadmium red.

Recently, I became excited to discover two new browns to add to my watercolor painting. The first, burnt sienna and cobalt blue is a very useful color combination. The other as seen in the above watercolor utilizes the combination of: ultramarine blue/new gamboge and cadmium red. I came upon this color combination by experimentation.

This coloring has a definite yellow influence and may even look a bit like an Andrew Wyeth painting. However, this landscape evolved out of playing with this brown color combination. It does not reference a specific place in the world.

Watercolor Brushes

 

                                                                                          (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro

Watercolor brush selection seems to be by personal choice. There are a huge range of brushes and manufactures to choose from. Some are cheap and come in sets while others are expensive and usually sold as individual items. However, most of the brushes I got were heavily discounted(or discontinued), given to me or I got with a gift card, which I earned.

By now I must have painted hundreds of watercolors - many small pictures on a wide range of papers from postcard-sized and up. Along the way I have developed my own preferences. For plein air painting I use a small selection of cheaper brushes for on the go.

The last several years I have been pushing myself to paint larger with bigger brushes when painting indoors. Regardless, I want brushes to last, so I treat them with the utmost respect. I rinse them out right after I am done using them and lay them down on a paper towel sheet.

The brush on the bottom is my most recent acquisition. It is called - da vinci - Casaneo - a liner brush I believe. I love this brush as it has a long flexible point which is great for painting power lines or straggly foliage. It is the most expressive brush I have.

Covid Isolation Watercolor

                                                                                   (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

After being stuck inside day after day with COVID for ten days straight I painted this watercolor as a sort of romantic landscape. It has the qualities of a late summer landscape with some color change yet no bare trees. The water is even enticing.

It has been so mild lately that a hard frost is not expected before the middle of October. Thus, the mosquitoes will have longer season, too.

I do find myself shifting my palette towards more reds at this time of year. Reds and warm browns or earth colors seem to signal the end of the summer season.

Customized Palette

                                                                               (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

It is great to be able to paint on the go. These small palettes offer a limited palette which simplify paint mixing. They are super portable and easy to clean-up. Plus, they don't take up much space.

I bought this empty palette and then added the pigments of my choosing. I prefer the whole pan palettes over the half pan size which I find too small to dab my brush into.

This palette can be put into a ziploc bag, with a travel brush, sponge and a small watercolor block and tossed into a shoulder bag I am ready to go. 

Since, I am still recovering from COVID this has been my go to palette.

COVID & watercolor

                                                                                           (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

This week I got Covid again. I thought I was well-vaccinated but I learned the vaccine doesn't protect me for a full year, yet barely ten months. So this outcome really changed my week.

After hours and hours of being housebound I was able to try out a new watercolor brush with these small watercolors. It felt great to be back at it even if in an abbreviated form.

I like the vivid colors and freshness of the paint.

Stunning Local Landscapes

                                                                                              (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

During this dry stretch of beautiful weather, not far from home, I have seen some stunning landscapes. Whether in New Hampshire or Vermont the sights have been lovely, just the same.

In the last two weeks or so, I have been to the World's Fair in Tunbridge Vt, painted at The Madame Sherri Forest in Chesterfield, NH and ushered at the Colonial Theater in Keene, NH. All of these sights had a backdrop of glorious weather.

This photograph I took at the Madame Sherri Forest in Chesterfield NH. In all directions it seemed equally stunning.

These experiences re-enforce in me the desire to get outside in nature whenever possible. There is fall foliage changing colors as I write in this moment. It can all be so fleeting and yet so captivating.

Wetland Study

                                                                                          (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Watercolor is such a diverse medium. The paint can be applied in so many different ways whether with a brush, palette knife or atomizer, etc. 

Leaving the white of the paper can be a real plus when painting outside as the pigment is a little easier to manage. After all, John Singer Sargent said painting in watercolor is akin to making the best of an emergency.

This image was painted wet on dry paper while outside. I just wanted to get the colors of nature down quickly and capture the freshness which only watercolor can express.

Madame Sherri Forest

                                                                                         (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro

Madame Sherrie Forest is a special place. Located in Chesterfield, NH, it has a natural wetland, elevated pond and lovely trails with scenic views.

I find it an inspiring place to hike and paint outside. The wetland has a lovely pond which is quite tranquil. For me painting here is quite meditative. I can sustain my concentration for long periods of time when on site.

This watercolor was done late Friday afternoon with the light beginning to fade rapidly. Little did I know that a woman had been rescued from this very site within the last twenty four hours.

After I left I wasn't sure I liked this watercolor but stepping back from it, I realized there is a freshness and directness which only watercolor can deliver.

Living Memorial Park

                                                                                   (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Recently, we have had an unbelievable run of glorious days. I am speaking from southern Vermont where today was another winner.

This was painted outside at Living Memorial Park in the morning. This clump of trees, which I believe are maples, are such a landmark which can be viewed from all kinds of angles in the park. This was painted from the Kiwanis shelter which offers a dramatic view of the larger landscape.

The last time painting in the park I felt like I overworked the trees in the background. This time I was determined to keep those distant hills simpler with a basic wash. You can see there is now some fall colors working their way into the landscape.

I feel better about this picture. For me, it has a pleasing overall quality with a soft focus except that clump of trees which are the focal point. 

Blue Landscape

                                                                                    (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Painting the landscape doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. Particularly, once you have developed some techniques and can tweak the pigments to your benefit.

I am fascinated with watercolorists who can paint a picture in a few washes. This is something I increasingly think about when preparing to paint. This painting so far has just one wash - blue. However, I did lift some of the blue to reveal the clouds in the sky and thus, reflections on the water. Just with this one wash you can begin to see the main elements of the landscape.

This landscape was inspired by a hike I took around Goose Pond in Keene, NH, this spring, with my wife.

Today's Plein Air

                                                                                    (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

On occasion I overwork a watercolor and that's the case with this picture. It was painted today, as we had a glorious morning, here in Brattleboro, VT. This was painted in Living Memorial Park along a frisbee golf tee-off platform.

I had been eyeing this location for some time, to set-up my watercolor stuff as there is a nice bench with a sweeping view across the field. The early washes were exciting and lively but I got lost in the distant trees as there are layers of tree massing in the distant valley.

As frustrating as this experience has been, I learn the most when things don't turn out so well. One of the problems I had was the paint was drying faster than I am used to and the light and shadows changed rapidly. On cloudy days, from my experience, the light changes slower giving me more time to adapt to the developing picture.

This summer I have taken to using a sponge which I find to be a real positive development. Sponges are great at lifting color when needed and preventing pools of color from collecting on the margins of the paper.

Keene(NH) Art-in-the-Park

                                                                               (Photograph) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

This weekend was the Monadnock Area Artists Association's Art in the Park, held in Keene, NH. As usual it is a lovely community event. However, today, when my wife and I attended it was hot out, at least in the sun. Fortuately, we had the shade of trees and the vendor tents to keep from overheating.

It was a nice experience as we were able to reconnect with artists I have known for many years and meet new ones, too. There were many painters but others crafts people, too. I purchased a small clay pot from a new vendor who had moved to the area within the last year.

While I didn't have a vendor space this year it makes me consider one for next season. However, it usually seems hot on this weekend on an annual basis which is the one drawback in my mind.

Scott Farm Plein Air

                                                                                             (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Visiting the Scott Farm in Dummerston, Vermont feels like a walk through a point in history far removed from current times. While there, life seems slower and more attuned to our surroundings. And then the view of large slabs of stone and slate covered historical buildings create a backdrop one does not usually experience on a daily basis.

This week I had the opportunity to paint outside with the Saxton's River Art Group. Unlike during this summer in southern Vermont, when it was hot, humid and often wet, this outing had lovely weather.

It can be a challenge honing in on what to paint when outside. However, this site has many lovely vantage points to choose from. In the back of my mind I am most aware that the natural light is constantly changing so I need to work quickly.

I sat on a stone wall containing this pool of water and tried to record what I saw. There were lots of cool colors and shadows moving about in contrast to the lush greens all around me.

New Sketchbook

 

Choosing a sketchbook is such a personal decision. There are so many sketchbooks on the market in all kinds of sizes, thicknesses and utilizing a huge range of papers. This sketchbooks I found in the spring at a Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Hadley, Ma.

I love this sketchbook because the paper lays flat which is essential if are going to do any kind of drawing. Also, I do not prefer smooth paper for my sketching. as I go for paper that has some tooth to it. This gives your sketch a grainy quality which I really like when drawing a figure or landscape.

I draw on both sides of my sketchbook pages for the most part, as I don't want to waste any sheets. As you can see this sketchbook cost ten dollars which I am okay with. I have spent much more for some sketchbooks because they are larger, have a hard cover and even take watercolor washes.

I find drawing to be an essential part of my life. It immediately relaxes me and focuses my attention to where it needs to be. These sketchbooks document my process and hone my ability to see life for what it is in that moment. The act of drawing allows me to loosen up by experimenting and taking chances by drawing at all scales in contrast to the mundane daily tasks which dominate aspects of our lives.

New John Singer Sargent Book

 

John Singer Sargent(1856-1925) is one of my hero's of the watercolor medium. He certainly casts a huge presence for his great portraits of aristocrats and others over a long career. I appreciate the directness of his watercolor painting approach and his use of color.

This past week I came upon a newer biography of Sargent which has consumed much of my time lately. The Grand Affair: John Singer Sargent in His World, by Paul Fisher is such a thoroughly researched book that I get a much clearer view of how his life played out than any book I had read to date.

Since reading this book I view his paintings in a different light. Recently, I visited the Clark Art Museum in western, MA which has several of his oil paintings which were painted in his early twenties.

One-Hour Painting

                                                                              (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Watercolor is my medium of choice. I love painting with watercolors because the clean-up is easy and safe. Also, it is such a diverse medium with such a range of choices from it's portability to technical approaches etc, that it endlessly fascinates me.

However, often I am pressed for time and some days it is a challenge to squeeze in any painting. On these days I grab a loose sheet of watercolor paper and paint rapidly on a small sheet what I can. It really calms me down yet focuses me at the same time.

The subject for this painting was done from memory. My wife and I visited Gardiner, Maine earlier this Summer and took a hike along the Kennebec River which flows through the center of town.

South Pond(Cloud Study)

                                                                                             (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Painting the landscape is such a rewarding experience. The subtleties of color and value have a huge impact on your overall scene. How the sky is depicted sets the tone for the landscape.

This landscape is really about the sky. The drama and variation of the clouds draw one's attention. I have been experimenting with an atomizer to achieve soft edges to distant clouds. I need more practice but feel like I am heading in the right direction.

For this watercolor I used Prussian blue for the water in areas which lent a rich dark. This pigment has a high tinting strength. Winslow Homer preferred using it in his later watercolors.

The Retreat Meadows

                                                                                 (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

The Retreat Meadows in Brattleboro, VT can be a dramatic landscape. Late in the afternoon, during the Summer, strong shadows often move across the water framing Wantastiquet Mountain in the distance.

The lush green vegetation in the distance makes the water appealing and usually quite tranquil.

The sky was one of the things most interesting to me. It had a pinkish glow along the mountain with a richer blue the higher you went. The water has a bit of Antwerp in it, a preferred color of Winslow Homer.

Imaginary Landscape

   

                                                                                   (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Painting the landscape is truly a gift. Over time you begin to notice subtle changes out in the landscape or in your palette preferences which lead to profound changes in how you approach your compositions. Much of this is unconscious at the moment but upon reflection I notice an evolution.

For example, for the most part, I paint a landscape from the top down. That means the sky goes in first and I blend in colors as I see fit to hold an edge or create a dark separation. There are areas where the paper is left dry so pigment won't run all over the place. At this point this practice is intuitive so I am not actively thinking about this process which enables me to be flexible in my next steps.

By now it doesn't really matter what paper I am using. However, I love the weave of this paper. When wet with pigment this paper has a lovely quality to it. This watercolor paper is called Elseware. I found it at my local food co-op. I wrote about this paper back in July. For me it is useful as a test sheet or for painting warm-up landscapes. Also, it can come in handy when you are painting outside.

Goose Pond

                                                                                            (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro

Goose Pond in Keene, NH is a lovely pond to hike around. It has been years since I explored this area but recently revisited this pond full of memories from the past. It actually has a dedicated parking lot and kiosk while in the past you just parked on the side of the road. 

The spillway or dam has been reconstructed but overall Goose Pond is such a lovely place with much active wildlife. My wife and I saw many birds, dogs and beaver activity in the late afternoon when people were on the trails.

I did this watercolor a day after walking around Goose Pond. The water had such vivid reflections and a richness of color. Seldom do I use turquoise as a pigment(right out of the tube) but the surface of the pond had such a vibrant range of blues.

                                                                                (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro

Often I only mix two pigments before my brush meets the paper. However, this pattern on the water in the above painting was painted using yellow ochre/burnt sienna/cobalt blue. It seemed like a fresh, natural kind of coloring.
 

I started this watercolor while on vacation in Maine and finished it yesterday. It became more abstract as I painted it which I think is a good thing. I like the combination of raw sienna and viridian in the distant hill.

Recently, I have been using a cellulose sponge to clean-up any runny areas of pigment which has been a real benefit to my painting. In addition, I have been experimenting by using an atomizer to create softer edges in my sky's.  Both techniques I have taken to readily and obsessed about advancing to a greater degree.

Art Supply Haul

                                                                         (C) 2024 Photograph Dale DiMauro
 

While vacationing in Maine it was great to visit some good old art stores with a wide-range of supplies. My favorite art store these days is Artist & Craftsman Supply based in Portland, Maine. I usually find some new art material which I can experiment with from this store.

I purchased several new watercolor blocks and a large watercolor brush on this trip. Since I have been lifting more paint from my paintings as of late I am eager to try out this new Fabriano paper which had a significant price reduction.

Before my trip I earned a gift card of over two hundred dollars from my health care provider which covered most of my art supplies. With the high cost of living these days I feel good about my purchases.

Rembrandt Watercolor Paper

                                                                                 (C)2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Last summer I tried out a new watercolor block called Rembrandt watercolor paper. Oddly, a corner of the top sheet is cut off intentionally on all their watercolor blocks. I don't know why they do this but I love painting on their surface which is cold press. 

The pigment seems to come alive on this surface once I put pigment on the paper. You can see in the above watercolor how fresh the scene appears. I love this quality about the watercolor paper.

I find it best to use a limited palette and paint as direct as possible on this paper. At first I resisted the blotting but have come to accept it as a quality to painting on this paper. 

Over time I have come to accept using a damp sponge as one of my best tools. A sponge prevents any wash from building up or running all over the place. It is particularly useful when painting outside as all kinds of mishaps can impact your painting process.

Thoughts on Painting a Night Scene in Watercolor

                                                                       (C) 2024 Photograph Dale DiMauro
 

Planning a painting in watercolor of a daylight scene is one thing, but doing it of a night scene is a very different experience altogether. First, it is important to settle on a composition that is simple, yet strong.

I have been thinking about this challenge for some time. I have taken photographs of snowy scenes in Vermont under dramatic sky's.

As in a daylight scene, the sky sets the tone or mood for the painting. There is not much white of the paper left unpainted. As a matter of fact, most of the paper is dark.

Some of the warmer colors may be more exaggerated than normally or even be garish. The key I think for me is not to overthink it or overwork the painting. Hopefully, I will be able to post a night scene before long.

Painting Figures in Watercolor

                                                                                           

                                                                (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro

Painting people in watercolor can be a challenge. Once a person is in the picture they become the focus and all eyes go to that person.

So it is of utmost importance to get the people correct. The drawing needs to be accurate or at least believable in proportion and posture, etc.

This summer I continue to make an effort to draw my people accurate yet bold at all scales. I think my figures are beginning to become fluid and less overworked. Grounding them to the landscape seems to help, too.

This may seem like a redundant topic for a post as I wrote about capturing figures recently. However, the figue and how to portray them on paper is a frequent consideration in my painting.

Quick Watercolor

 

                                                                               (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro

For some time, I have been practicing, at times, painting quick or fast watercolors. This requires full concentration and quick decision making. It is a good practice when painting outside to paint fast and direct while recording what one see's of nature as time and conditions can be quite limiting.

I have read where Andrew Wyeth aimed to complete a watercolor in twenty minutes. This is quite a feat when considering he often painted watercolors using a full sheet(22" x 30") of watercolor paper.

In this watercolor I like the defined areas of color and the granulation of pigment in the sky(cerulean blue) and water(ultramarine blue).

Figures In Watercolor

                                                                                             (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro

Drawing the figure is one of the most difficult tasks for an artist to master. In the warmer weather I like to travel with my sketchbook to concerts or outdoor events and sketch as freely as possible, what I see before me. At these events I get much input while sketching or painting. Most of it is complimentary and often it is disruptive but I have learned to let the feedback flow through me and move on.

I am committed to filling my current watercolor book and sketchbook with figures in watercolor. Hopefully, by the end of summer I will make progress on capturing the postures and proportions of the human body. This will enable me to intuitively capture individuals I see in my daily life. This requires rendering the human figure at different scales, contexts and media then I may have in the past.

These watercolors were done from life. I find drawing and thus painting these figures quite challenging. yet rewarding. Already I see more direct and fluid watercolor strokes than when I started in early June.

Grafton Ponds VSO Concert

                                                                                  (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro

The VSO(Vermont State Orchestra) concert and fireworks on July 4, 2024 came off with wonderful weather in Grafton, VT. The humidity subsided in the evening making it a lovely experience.

Before intermission I was able to paint this plein air scene. At first the setting sun on the land wasn't all that spectacular, as it has been in years past, but then I was concerned it would get dark before I knew it.

Regardless, I was able to get this watercolor down on paper and clean up before they resumed the concert. However, there were many people watching as I painted with an array of comments at intermission.

For me it is always worth painting outside whenever I can, regardless of how good the picture is because I learn so much when painting outside within a limited timeframe.

Watercolor Sketchbook

                                                                                       (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

It always feels great to paint in my sketchbook. It feels liberating and keeps the juices flowing. Also, I can focus on an area that I can improve upon, such as capturing the figure and work towards improving them.

Looking back through the pages of a sketchbook one can see an artists progress as well their topics of interest. In many ways it is all about experimenting - with newer techniques, a variety of differing surfaces and unlimited pigment combinations.

On this page a landscape doodle became a moody orange scene, while on the bottom, primarily, cool colors describe a summer day by the lake.

For me a sketch book is all about the drawing -training the eye to see what is in front of you so you can make changes or delete elements to make the big picture stronger and simpler.

Brown Madder

                                                                                 (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro

Brown madder is a pigment I do not have much experience with, even though it has been in my paint box for some time. However, I have been using it more, lately.

I welcome it to my palette even if only as needed. It seems to make a lovely, clean dark when mixed with ultramarine blue as in the above painting. Used in darker skin tones with cobalt blue and ultramarine it is excellent.

Brown madder has a reddish tone which I understand makes for richer darks. So far, I have only combined it with ultramarine blue. It may be of use in a limited palette going forward, particularly when painting portraits.

West River Trail

                                                                                  (C)2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Taking a walk often leads to subjects to paint. At least since Covid-19 that is. A large part of the population is still recovering from the pandemic at least financially. So finding an individual to paint is hard to come by. 

I had been struggling to paint a full sheet watercolor. Well, today I managed to finish this landscape painting in my studio. What I like about this composition is that it is very simple and required little pre-painting layout. This enabled me just to paint - but on a large scale.

I used all kinds of techniques on this picture. I used dry on wet, wet on wet, lifting, dry brush and even put my atomizer to good  use. It feels great to look at a large-scale painting as it draws you into the landscape more so, than a smaller picture.

Favorite Winslow Homer Books

 

Winslow Homer certainly is an American icon when it comes to mastering the art of watercolor. Of all the books out on Winslow Homer, these are my favorites.

The book on the left, I believe, was a 1996 catalog as a result of a major exhibition at the National Gallery of Art, in Washington D.C. I bought this not long ago, used, for twenty bucks at a local bookstore. It is so well researched and the images are of such high quality - I was thoroughly impressed. It includes watercolors Homer painted I had never seen before.

The newer book, Winslow Homer:American Passage by William R. Cross, while also well-researched, I find provides a clearer glimpse into how Homer went about his painting process.

The next time I visit the Clark Art Museum, in Williamstown, MA which usually is in the summer, I hope to view some of his watercolors in person. They have quite a few of Homer's watercolors in their permanent collection.

Imaginary Landscape

                                                                                 (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

It is a good practice to paint multiple watercolors at the same time. Particularly, when they are different sizes. I find it allows time to resolves issues on other paintings while working on another one.

Also, it can be useful to warm up your brushstrokes on a small painting before diving in at full speed, on a larger picture. In fact, watercolor is a great medium to paint direct and fast.

In addition, I like to experiment with the textures of different surfaces. This little watercolor was painted on a rougher surface than I am used to which takes some time to adjust to.

Panoramic Painting

                                                                                         (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
  

Painting a panoramic landscape is always exciting. A panoramic is a wide view of the surrounding landscape.  It draws the viewer in and gives you a more descriptive feel for the landscape. Plus, it is simply a larger landscape painting, but not always.

The subject here was inspired from past hikes on the Brattleboro Retreat property. There is an upper field with a wide open space and often dramatic skies. You can get lost in this landscape which humbles you, yet broadens your perspective.

I like painting these because I can use one of my larger brushes. It is a great situation for letting pigment mix on the paper by dropping in color in certain areas.

Color Study

                                                                               (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Painting greens can be bit challenging, at least from my experience. Arriving at the right green when you need it does not come naturally to me. There are warm greens, cool greens, opaque ones and dark ones etc., which when used well can make your watercolor read well and offer a sense of depth. However, they can look weak in your picture or dominate it, too.

Nevertheless, I am constantly thinking of new color combinations to try out and to group with other pigments when setting out to paint.

In this watercolor study I tried sap green with burnt umber a new combination which I really like. In can look rather lush when wet and feels a bit natural in it's value.

For the sky I put down a wash of lavender with payne's gray which gives you a cool, light gray. Afterwards I put in a wash of ultramarine toward the foreground to suggest some sources of water as in a pond or strream.

Imaginary Landscape

                                                                                (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro

Sometimes the best watercolor experience can come from doodling. For me, doodling is playing around with no set expectations or agenda. This gives me the opportunity to try new techniques or tweak the landscape in unexpected ways.

First of all, this watercolor was painted in a bound book with a variety of subject matter from landscapes to portraits and figure studies. It is rewarding to see what other watercolors you have painted over time in this book and how I may have progressed.

In this particular watercolor I was excited because I tried lifting pigment to establish the tree trunks on the left without putting a heavier dark on the paper. In addition, lately I have been increasingly using a sponge to wet the paper or remove puddles of moisture. This sponge is a really helpful tool and can speed the painting along. Finally, I used warm colors throughout this scene and feathered brushwork to create a sunny disposition.

Trying these techniques and others I find really expands my horizon with regards to painting. Also, having a large tool box to draw from can come in real handy at times.

The Season of Browns & Greens

                                                                               (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Spring is the season of browns and greens. At least that is what I observe when I am out in the natural world. 

The river bottoms are often stirred up with flowing water and brown is the color I usually notice. Of course, there are exceptions but there is a range of browns which I associate with our water channels.

All the vegetation breaking from the ground and the tree leaves re-emerging are loaded with the yellow greens when they first come out.

This lovely woodland path in Maine is full of browns and greens. Also, I appreciate the dappled sunlight and shade provided by the layered canopies.

Plein Air Watercolor

                                                                                       (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

This morning I had a great start while plein air painting. It was a beautiful morning to paint, too. I had the sky washed in and the vegetated landscape all sketched out. 

When suddenly two dogs appeared out of nowhere and knocked me off my park bench. I was sitting on one end of the bench when the larger dog jumped up to where I was sitting and the bench slid like a seesaw to the ground.

After the dogs left I wiped the dirt off my supplies and tried to carry on but it was not the same. The trauma of that moment lingered on. Before long I gathered my supplies and headed home. 

Regardless, of the experience, I was focused and had a great approach to painting this particular subject matter. It makes me want to get back to painting even if this picture didn't turn out so well.

Farmer's Market

                                                                             (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Yesterday my wife and I went to the local farmer's market for the first time this season. It was a beautiful day and well attended. When I was there I realized this is a great site for plein air painting. 

Now to be clear, I did some plein air painting at that site in the past. However, there are many subjects to paint from the river setting, to musicians, people galore and lovely natural settings.

So today I went back and painted this plein air. This is the first plain air I have paint outside in quite some time. It may come across as a bit crude but it developed rapidly and I felt good about the overall experience.

Maine Landscape

                                                                                          (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Maine for me is a state of mind as well as one of the fifty states. I am beginning to yearn for that Maine coast particularly with today's temperatures topping out around ninety degrees. Just the sight and smell of the ocean brings relief to my senses. Last year my summer trip to Maine was less enjoyable as I had an eye infection the entire time my wife and I were away.

I have gotten more comfortable painting a wider range of skies while holding the block and letting the paint run across the sheet with less fussiness. Using gravity to your benefit is something I have embraced.

Painting or drawing on the interior cover of my watercolor blocks is something I do on a regular basis. It is a nice space to work out compositional details or record notes on painting.

Landscape Painting in Process

                                                                                           (C)2024 Dale DiMauro
 

Every painting has it's own unique process from my experience. There are certain parameters put on some pictures, particularly, if you are painting outside, have limited time or size constraints. 

This picture I started a little while back and did some more work on it recently. Perhaps, it might seem complex but I differ on that perspective. Often, I make refinements along the way, even though the composition is essentially unchanged.

What appealed to me most about this watercolor other than the colors is the view down across the landscape with an inviting contour on the far side of the pond. This very contour draws you more into the landscape.

However, I may tweak this far pond edge of the pond as it seems too exaggerated but other than that I am okay with things at this point.

West River Trail

                                                                                (C) 2024 Dale DiMauro
 

After numerous interruptions it was great to get back to painting - in earnest. This spring has come quick even though we had a relatively late winter - at least in southern Vermont.

This image has stuck with me since late last fall. I feel a lot of temperature and even humidity in this picture. There is something about the quality and scale of local fields which draw my attention.

This was painted on Monday from a photograph I took early last fall. This watercolor developed rapidly and was complete in a little over an hour.