Today's Plein Air Painting

                                                                                         (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

Winter in Vermont came back with a vengeance, shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday had passed. Not only did we receive our first snow storm of the season but harsh cold temperatures came with it. This includes icy road conditions and slick walkways.

With today's wintery mix of snow I resorted to painting from the comfort of my home. This watercolor was painted while I looked out of one of my windows.

It was a challenge as I hadn't painted a snow scene in some time, yet I had to get up to speed quickly. Ultimately, I didn't allow enough time as the darkness moved in quickly. The other issue is I tend to prefer a slightly different palette for painting snow. I use a greater range of blues such as cobalt blue and manganese as they can convey outdoor temperatures like no other pigments do.

There is a freshness in this scene which I have come to appreciate. Snow transforms the landscape and brings to light qualities which I only see on the shortest days of the year.

Winslow Homer Copy

The Museum of Fine Arts(MFA), in Boston, MA has the largest collection of Winslow Homer's(1836-1910) watercolors in the world. Their current exhibition titled, "Of Light and Air, Winslow Homer's Watercolors" runs from November 2, 2025 to January 19, 2026. This includes watercolors not seen by the public in over half a century.

I am more than eager to see this exhibition, even though, in the past, I may have seen many of these pictures in person. To see this large collection, at one venue, as a group will be quite impressive.

The other day when I was put on hold by my prescription drug company, clarifying my refill order, I started painting this figure made famous by Winslow Homer. As I waited on my phone and painted this image it seemed to come together for me. 

I have always admired Homer's depiction of outdoorsmen, as they seem so simple in execution yet so commanding in their posture. Ultimately, I find Winslow Homer's watercolor washes so direct yet simple and effective. They are not overworked or full of detail, yet true to the landscape in which the figure occupies

 

(Brattleboro) Retreat Field

                                                                                    (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

Over time I have come to appreciate the low and long-shadowed light of November. If you are outside in the afternoon on a sunny day a bit before sundown the the natural light can at times cast a glow across the landscape. The newly fallen leaves lend warmth to this cold landscape.

This watercolor was painted with a plein air approach. I was locked in painting as direct as I could even though our heat pumps crashed two times in the last twenty four hours. Regardless, it was primarily painted in one session. 

This cornfield has the look of a golf course green. However, since the corn stalks were cut back I think we have had some moisture which the summer lacked with some sunny fall days. It is always pleasant to walk across this field as it is such a wide open space and take in any bird activity and the drama that the sea of clouds convey. 

Yesterday, we indeed, had our first snowstorm of the season, putting an abrupt ending to the outdoor season. However, the fresh snow has made the evening landscape much brighter which I appreciate.

Harris Hill Ski Jump

                                                                                            (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro         
 

Harris Hill Ski Jump in Brattleboro, VT is well known as one of the few locations on the east coast for long distance jumping. While it is primarily a volunteer-run event, it draws crowds of people from a great distance. 

There is much advanced preparation as the hill is only used one weekend a year. The rest of the year the property is part of a larger swath of land owned and operated by the Brattleboro Retreat Farm. The miles of trails are used daily by hikers, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers and dog walkers.

With mild weather the day before Thanksgiving, I sat on a stone wall at the base of the Harris Ski Jump and painted this in the mist and dew of the afternoon. I studied the umbers and ochers of the fall season as seen in this local landscape.

Neighborhood Park

                                                                                     (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

At this time of year you have to take advantage of the sun when you can. I tried to fit in some painting as I went for a walk at the same time. It is to my benefit as I have a neighborhood park minutes away by foot.
 

However, it is getting challenging to paint outside as the temperature continues to drop. Nevertheless, I squeezed in some plein air painting on both Monday and this afternoon. This mild streak is a welcome reprieve from the dark, cloudy days of late.

I found a nice spot to situate myself out of the wind yet in the sun along a retaining wall. This way I could set up my equipment along the wall where I did not have to hold anything except for my paint brushes. 

I do like the quality of light as seen in this picture. But, boy do the shadows move in quickly.

Quick Watercolor

                                                                                       (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

Warming up before painting in watercolor is an important practice. This loosens up the muscles and frees the mind. I do this nearly everyday. Also, it is necessary to let the pigments run into each other and to convey atmospheric affects.

After all, an artist is more likely to experiment before settling into the rigors of a larger painting. This watercolor was painted in fifteen minutes and it probably shows that. However, it is much more vibrant and expressive then some forty-hour paintings some people do. 

Only four pigments were used in this picture: ultramarine blue, cerulean, new gamboge and permanent rose.

Fall Color

                                                                                    (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

Fall is that time of year when the leaves turn all those lovely colors, if the rain doesn't wash them all away. It is more important than anything to stop and notice these colors for what they are. There is so much variation of color within one canopy of one tree that it is mind boggling.

To achieve the colors I portrayed here my palette was pushed to levels not usually utilized. I used pigments of cadmium red and brilliant orange pretty much straight out of the tube. These pigments project a warmth throughout the picture which is quite pleasing.

This watercolor was painted on else ware, a 110 lb cold press watercolor paper I bought at my local food coop. To prevent buckling, I ripped this piece of paper out of a spiral-bound book and taped it to a board to keep it taught in the corners.

I like the overall feel and light of this picture. The darker marks in the foreground tree up by the branching were created by quick-snapping my rigger brush which offers the affect of dried out leaves and gives some weight to the tree.

STORMY SKY

                                      (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

 

                                                                                                      Detail of sky

November weather is definitely challenging. Not many people linger outside for long when the winds pick up and the sun is hidden behind clouds.

Today, nevertheless, was a blustery experience to paint outside. The clouds raced across the sky and the wind dried my paint washes immediately. Having said that, I adapted by applying smaller washes and moving more frequently to different areas of the paper.

I perched on a stone plinth and painted this view of Wantastiquet Mountain from across the Connecticut River. The sky was put down first. I used cerulean, ultramarine blue, and paynes gray combined with a mister to get the pigments to blend into cloud-like forms. I feel that the colors you see were true to what I saw out in nature.

Today, I used only two brushes to paint what I did and I am proud of that. I think this is the best stormy sky I have ever painted. 

At times on your journey in life you take two steps forward and one backwards. Perhaps today was one of those days where I took a step backwards. However, I worked on three other watercolors this weekend so it is of no great loss to me.

P.S. - For some reason I had difficulty cropping the top photograph. 

Late Fall Watercolor Study

                                                                                   (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

It seems like the most dramatic landscapes are found in autumn when the leaves have fallen. This is the time of year when everything slows down and the bare structures in the land reveal themselves.

The ochres and umbers of the landscape really become much more noticeable. In my travels I keep thinking how important these colors are to my palette. The blues and browns seem to compliment each other as the season of growth fades into our distant memory.

Also, this is the time when bird migrants are scrambling to find whatever food they can.

As a side note I put a wash of cerulean blue for the sky, yet it seems to fade in intensity with the browns dominating this picture. 
 

Brattleboro Common

                                                                                     (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

Yesterday, was the pick of the weekend - weather wise. So I took a walk in the afternoon to find the sun and it was on the Brattleboro Common. I noticed how the fallen leaves from some of the trees opened a vista up the West River beyond the Brattleboro Retreat towards Black Mountain.

At this point I settled down to paint en plein air, until the darkness moved in. Sometimes the hardest decision, is indeed, to find that subject to commit time to.

I worked my way down the watercolor block painting from the sky to the leaf-covered lawn in the foreground. Many decisions were made rapidly - always aware of how wet the paper is in certain areas.

As the light faded and I looked up from my watercolor block I felt good about the decisions I made and in the time I had to utilize my skills.

Generally speaking, whenever I paint new techniques are tried. On this day I consciously tried to paint the tree trunks with irregular footings as I observed clumps of grass and uneven ground one of the characteristics of the scene.

(Brattleboro)Retreat Meadows

                                                                                             (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

The late day light, at this time of year, is stunning. That is if it is a sunny day. But boy is it lovely.

Fortunately, for me, I have spent some time outside painting and have developed an eye for what to look for. I think with experience one builds a mental map of local areas to paint where you are not looking directly into the sun but can benefit from the glow projected on to the landscape. At this time of year it is of great value to be facing East as the setting sun fades into the darkness. The other cue is the birds know where to find the sun to bathe in. In fact, there were birds - I think Canadian geese in the foreground.

From the time I started this watercolor, until I packed up to go, the light changed so much and thus, the landscape was transforming before my eyes. This picture was cut short as I underestimated my painting session due to the time change.

All I could think of when painting this picture is that ice skaters may be here within the month.

On the Prowl

                                                                                                 (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

At times, watercolor takes you where it wants to go. It can be best to follow through on the journey instead of rigidly resisting the movement of the wet pigment and overwork a scene.

I started this painting because I was experimenting by tweaking the classic paint combination of yellow ochre with burnt umber which results in a warm brown. Recently, in my walks through the landscape, at least in the light, I felt some variation of this pairing. As I put down a plant swatch, usually I end up turning it into a landscape, real - or imaginary. This way I can apply a 'swatch' to the landscape right then and there. Also, I end up with a mental/visual recording which I can refer to later.

As that warm colored ridge took shape, it was obvious to me that the left side of the composition was lacking substance - so on the spot - I dropped in the head of a figure. I think the figure adds an element of mystery as you don't know who he is or what he is doing - as most of his body is left out of the scene. Additionally, his presence, emphasizes the high contour. 

This watercolor was painted while my wife was feeding candy to young trick-or-treaters.

Brattleboro Common

                                                                                    (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

The Brattleboro Common in Brattleboro, VT is such an inviting place, in the summer months, as it provides a lovely bosque of trees with all sorts of dappled light to perch under. I like to set up my painting equipment on one of their many picnic tables as an easel is not required which makes transporting my supplies much easier. This becomes most beneficial if a sudden downpour emerges. However, if well sited I can be spared of the raindrops from the lovely tree canopies.

This watercolor was painted after a late appointment, in downtown, on a September weekday. It was done quick as I was tired and had developed an appetite for dinner. It was painted on a Kilimanjaro bright white watercolor block that my mother gave me.

I do like the bold brush strokes and pure color in the foreground.

Crowell Lot(park)

                                                                                   (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

The Crowell Lot is a lovely, yet spacious park in Brattleboro, Vt. It is more of a neighborhood park than a lot. It's characterized as having a nice playground, which the town has invested in and is thus well used by families with young children. In addition, the Crowell Lot has a popular basketball court - a favorite of young men. However, I have found no physical sign designating a name for this piece of public land in town.

This watercolor was painted outside late this afternoon. While outside it definitely had the feel that winter was coming as the low light faded fast and the wind increased.

It is customary to paint watercolors with the aid of a sponge and or paper towels. This way you can clean your brushes and catch any pooling of pigment. Well - today for some reason - I left behind any paper towels. For me I had to adapt and just carry on. 

This meant using the only tissue I had and shaking out the brush when necessary. Overall, I don't think the absence of a paper towel affected the outcome of this watercolor.

End of Summer

                                                                                               (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

Sometimes you don't have to paint the sky. It's not always necessary. In fact, it can take away from the overall landscape.

In this composition I think that's the case. Even though the sky is left unpainted it feels to me like there is a weak wash of alizarin crimson laid down above the trees. Sometimes the mind puts something there when it is not. That's the influence of color.

However, I usually start by painting the sky and work my way down the paper and into the landscape. Recently, I have had some success by lifting pigment from the paper in the sky which can suggest clouds or streaks in the sky.

Nevertheless, this picture is all about the landscape. I think the blank top of the page adds to the serenity of the scene.

Madame Sherri Forest

                                      (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

 

Not all watercolors end well. However, these are the experiences I learn the most from.

Painting outside is an experience for the ages. It is the most demanding thing I have ever done. It requires a range of skills all at the same time, such as: drawing & painting knowledge, time management, and skill with moisture management as far as the paper is concerned. All of these acquired abilities can and will be altered on a dime. 

Most of all, particularly at this time of year, you need to understand how quickly the natural light fades and what that means as far as your painting process. As the light fades your paper doesn't dry as quickly as it does earlier in the day. During this time period your subject matter will be transformed in ways you really have to develop an eye for.

This watercolor was painted last Friday afternoon at the Madame Sherri Forest in Chesterfield, New Hampshire. This is one of my favorite spots to paint as there is a range of subject matter to choose from and I get to spend some time out in nature with some truly organic sounds such as the flapping of a beavers tail and the noise of Canadian geese gliding low on the horizon.

It was a challenge moving around the painting as the shadows and low light transformed my subject matter. I think my colors are fairly true to my experience except that the paper dried in some areas quicker than others. Also, I lost the freshness of my brush strokes as my paint time evolved.

Brattleboro Common

                                                                                           (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

Autumn has come quick to southern Vermont. It was so dry and mild nearly a week ago and now it is much cooler with nearly all the leaves down. With this environment it is hard to appreciate the range of colors fall can provide

This watercolor was started at the end of last winter - and then I picked it up the other day. I am curious what I can do with it. 

It seems to me if you are a practicing artist your palette and perceptions are continually evolving. So to come back to a painting you started at an earlier time can be be quite transformative as you are seeing the world in a new light. I believe that new light seeps into a painting whether conscious or not. 

I have played up the warmth of color in the foreground and the character of the tree massing in the back. All those twisting and turning tree trunks looking for a chance to shine in the spotlight.

 

Tom Hill Copy

 

John Singer Sargent(1856-1925) was certainly one of the great American artists. While known for his great oil panels, he painted over 2,000 watercolors. Along the way he would copy an artists painting on occasion, to see what he could learn from their approach.

Last night I made a copy of a little Tom Hill(1925 -? ) watercolor titled Angler's Retreat 7" x 10.5". Recently, I purchased his used book Travels With My Paintbox: The Paintings of Tom Hill at a local bookstore. Hill wrote many books which depicted his lovely watercolors, painted on his various travels

In this watercolor I love the light he captures with the warm colors and the pleasing outdoor scene.

Travels With My Paintbox: The Paintings of Tom Hill(book)

 

There are a lot of great watercolor books out there not in circulation. Occasionally, I find a treasure in the used book section of a local bookstore or art shop. However, in Keene, NH, at the end of summer, the Toadstool bookstore seemed to have a large quantity of quality used books all at once. I took notice and bought many - all hard copies with a maximum price of ten dollars each.

This book: Travels With My Paintbox: The Paintings of Tom Hill, is an instant classic for me. This author wrote several books on watercolor painting but this may be his most inspiring.

Mr. Hill traveled often and painted on these travels. None of his paintings seem overworked. This book has a wide range of subject matter which I refer to often.

Butcher Trays

                                                                                                  (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

Butcher trays have been around for years. Many experienced watercolor artists I know prefer to use butcher trays as a palette which they clean prior to starting a new painting.

Over time many different sizes of butcher trays have become available for purchase. The one seen here is 8.5" x 12.5".

I like this sized butcher tray to rest my paint brushes once they are cleaned and ready for their next use. A while back I cut a homosote board to fit in the bottom which I lay a section of paper towel on. This set-up keeps the brushes from rolling all over my table surface and falling on the floor. Also, this arrangement keeps the tips of my brushes in good lasting shape

 

NEW PIGMENT COMBINATION(Burnt Umber/Alizarin Crimson/Pthalo Blue)

                                    New (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

It is always a delight to discover a new combination of pigments when painting with watercolors. What to do with this new information is another development unto itself. I find preserving the white of the paper, in watercolor, in some areas, to be rather important.

This entire painting was done with three pigments: burnt umber/alizarin crimson/pthalo blue. I think of the values here to be a warm dark as compared to a cool dark.

The colors here remind me of the colors of fall when the days start to wind down. This watercolor was actually painted in less than ten minutes once the pigments were combined. Sometimes the best paintings take the least amount of time. It is best to take the mind out of painting and have fun with the pigments and experiment. I think this allows you to have a growth spurt even if you have a busy day with little time available to paint.

Flying Mountain(Bar Harbor, ME)

                                                                                                (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

One of my more favorite hikes of recent memory has been of Flying Mountain in Bar Harbor, ME. It has lovely views of Somes Sound and ends along this lovely protected cove. In nice weather people gather and explore the sandy but rocky beach. Often, many boats anchor off this beach and come to shore on their dinghy's. 

When my wife and I hiked this trail in July the colors of the water, beach and forested ridge were alive and vivid.

I look forward to painting the shoreline of any body of water but this one is particularly is descriptive with it's large boulders, dense tree growth and alluring water. In addition, I like the feel of the shadow in the foreground, it's not too heavy yet refreshing, on a hot day.

Plein Air

                                                                                 (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

Yesterday I walked through the woods knowing I would not be able to get much exercise later in the day. During the hike I realized I had not walked through any local woods and fields in quite some time. 

Once out in the sun I had to acknowledge it was a glorious morning and promptly opened my plein air set and painted this watercolor along the edge of a meadow. 

I even lifted pigment to capture some of the lighter colored branching in the distance trees. The burnt sienna color among the grass I have been seeing more and more of as fall advances upon us.

The sparkle amongst the vibrant grass adds much to this scene. It was all there on my hike that morning.

Ft. Dummer State Park(Quarry pond)

                                                                                (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

Fort Dummer is the closest state park to where I live in Vermont. Years ago stone was removed and as a result this natural looking pond remains at the foot of these stone plinths. It is a hidden pond which makes it a little eerie but has a spectacular landscape, nonetheless.

This summer with the drought I have never seen so much shoreline. However, I find it an intriguing subject matter for a plein air picture.

Still, I painted this picture at home because it was so dry and dusty by the water. This picture was painted on The Masters' Choice paper which has a lovely bead to it's surface. At least the rough surface has this shimmer to it when the paper is wet. 

I believe the colors are fairly accurate to what I saw outside.

West Brattleboro Park

                                                                                              (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

We have had some glorious weather lately and this was one of those days. After a recent dental appointment I was able to paint a quick watercolor in West Brattleboro, VT. 

There is a lovely park for painting outside with several picnic tables and dappled shade. It is adjacent to the fire station.

In this picture I like the rich foliage again the blue sky. It felt good to quickly put pigment to paper and run with it.

 

Fall Landscape

                                                                                      (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

This fall landscape was painted last autumn. It was very dry as we headed into last winter. Now we are in a similar period.

This makes me wonder what kind of foliage season we will have in the coming months. Some people tell me it's going to be a mild winter with the impact of an El Nino, while other people say we are going to receive more snow than usual. 

Who knows. One thing I have observed in my travels is that under large specimen trees where there is lawn there are large dry patches. The roots of these large trees are simply absorbing as much moisture as they can while the grass has turned into straw. Birds seem to like this straw to peck on as they search for food.

I think the muted and limited palette in this watercolor make the composition of this picture stronger and more unified. Without a strong contrast in light and color the washes seem to travel across the page and merge with other pigments.

 

Paintings Done on the Go

                                                                                                (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

Often, I squeeze in some painting during the day when I can,. This is one of those situations. 

I painted the watercolor on the right. Then by accident, the watercolor book closed upon itself. When this happened wet pigment ended up on the sheet on the left. So I did what I could - and turned that page into a landscape, too.

I learn something about painting or the way the pigments move around the page every time I play with them. As a result, I find the painting process very stimulating. 

May your painting process take your practice to uncharted territories. 

Art-in-the-Park(Keene, NH)

                                            (C) 2025 Photograph Dale DiMauro

Yesterday my wife and I went to Art in Park, in Keene NH. The weather on both Saturday and Sunday was glorious if you were viewing the art or exhibiting it. Usually, it seems like one of the weekend days has great weather while the other is more questionable  - but not this year.

Earlier in the year I really considered entering the event this year - however, with all the tariff chaos of the spring I held off.

When I went on Saturday it was the most social time I have ever had at Art in the Park. The afternoon flew by talking to various artists I knew or people who I ran into.  Even my mom's name came up as she is a watercolor artist too. 

In the Spring I had gone to one of Jeanne Maguire Thieme's art critiques and got overwhelming positive feedback from that day. I had brought a full sheet watercolor painting that day and really only received positive criticism.

Out to Sea

                                                                                   (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

It is amazing what you can do with two or three pigments. In this watercolor I used three pigments: cerulean/ultramarine blue and raw sienna. Leaving the white of the paper white was another benefit.

There is less clean-up when you use a limited palette and their seems to be more harmony in the overall picture.

Often a small study leads to a stronger composition and sometimes outdoes a finished painting. It is easy to paint the 'life' out of a picture with too much technical information and lifeless brush work.

Sketchbook & Watercolor-bound Book

                                                                                  (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

Utilizing a sketchbook is a valuable tool to not just record and observe life around you. It is useful in expanding your artistic skills as well as for developing compositional studies.

I learned a long time ago it best to travel with a sketchbook - as events happen that you can not anticipate. Case in point - I spent most of Friday corresponding with a cell phone technician which was highly unproductive. 

However, this was one of the little watercolors I put down while waiting for a response. Also, it reduced my anxiety - a lot, as the connection was often interrupted. 

In addition, I painted many figure studies at different scales. As I look back on Friday because of these little studies - it was somewhat productive.

Flying Mountain

                                                                                             (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

Last month my wife and I hiked Flying Mountain on Bar Harbor, in the state of Maine. This hike has views of Somes Sound and this lovely cove where many boaters set anchor and people ride their dinghy in to land.

I was inspired by the rich colors of the water, the varied shoreline and the collection of people who walk the beach. This is a lovely location away from the other crowded spots on the island.

This watercolor was started two days ago as I was starting my preparation for a Tuesday colonoscopy. I needed a distraction as I would not be able to eat a genuine meal for some time. 

View from Above the Clark Art Museum

                                                                                            (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

About ten days ago my wife and I visited the Clark Art Museum in Williamstown, MA. To get some exercise, we often walk the lovely trails above the museum, at the end of the day. This time there were numerous sculptures dotting the landscape whether in the fields or in the woods.

For me it is rare to see such an agricultural landscape which isn't overly maintained from high up on a hill. It provides me a truly fresh perspective which I look forward to experiencing.

I just painted this watercolor this evening. The heat we have had lately has simply sucked the energy out of me. However, I like the composition to this picture with the tree consuming nearly half the painting.

Scott Farm

                                                                                   (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

Earlier this week, Scott Farm, in Dummerston, VT, was the plein air site for the Saxton's River Art Group to gather at. It is always a lovely spot to meet and paint. I immediately feel the history of the landscape once I park my car and head up past the barn and stone walls.

Whenever I paint on the property I try a different vantage point. Since it was a hot day I made sure to find a spot in the shade looking across the landscape. 

This watercolor was painted on Kilimanjaro paper, which I have been using when I work outside this summer. My only real criticism is that the pond in the foreground appears more like a lawn than a pond. If I deepen the value this may read more like water. 

I do like the geometric shapes of the buildings and the stark white of the paper which is what I think of when recalling the color of the structures.

Great to get back to Painting

                                                                                            (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

The last two months have been busy and hot. This followed the most stressful and turbulent spring I have had to endure. Much of this had to do with the unsettling of America and uncertainty coming out of Washington, D.C. This included, on more than one occasion, not getting paid in a timely manner for work done. In addition, wet weather delayed some projects which enabled me to squeeze in some time for pickle ball.

Also, during the height of spring I was requested to do Jury Duty, which fortunately is postponed to a later timeframe. For a client, I did construct a custom-made raised garden bed which has had only positive reviews. In essence, it looks like a piece of fine furniture. 

In the end my wife and I were able to continue our annual vacation to Maine. On our trip I got to visit what I consider to be the best art store I have ever been in(Artist & Craftsman Supply in Portland, ME). So now I am ready to get back to painting. Hopefully, we will have some comfortable weather before long. I even have some new pigments to try out - Transparent Orange and King's Royal Blue to name a few.

Anna Alma-Tadema

This morning my wife and I went to the Clark Art Museum in Williamsville, MA. Unlike most high quality museums, The Clark is located in a rural setting. Thus, visiting this museum is an annual ritual, during the summer months, which we eagerly look forward to.

The current major exhibition is titled: A Room of Her Own: Women Artist-Activists in Britain, 1875-1945. The work on display whether it is drawings, paintings or embroidery is impressive.

The above watercolor: "Girl in a Bonnet with her Head on a Blue Pillow(Maisie)", was painted in 1902 by British artist Anna Alma-Tadema(1867-1943) and is simply stunning to see in person. 

Anna was the daughter of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema(1836-1912) a well known Dutch painter who later settled in the United Kingdom. Both were known for paintings characterized with detail.

Anna's watercolors sold for high prices and she could select her buyer. However, after her father passed away, she struggled as her housing situation became unstable.

Back Home

                                                                                (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

It is great to be back home after a couple weeks away. Maine is always a lovely escape from the heat of summer. To see and sniff the coastal waters while catching a dip or two is quite refreshing.

While in Portland, Maine, my wife and I toured one of the oldest cemeteries in New England. It felt ancient just to walk through the space as many of those buried were segregated on the grounds as well as ship laborers who died at sea at a very young age. We could sense the layers of conflict and fires Portland experienced through the centuries which we could not comprehend before our tour.

During our vacation I picked up a few souvenirs along the way. In particular, I like this vertical pencil holder which was made out of hardwood, by prison inmates, in Maine 

Fabriano Sketch Paper

                                      (C) 2025 Photograph Dale DiMauro

Every artist has there own preferences but I like this sketchbook paper. I happened upon it by accident as my local sources for paper do not stock this paper. This sketchbook was purchased in Maine while traveling.

This paper is Fabriano 1264 which is made in Italy. Fabriano started making paper in 1264 and thus is the oldest European paper mill.

I prefer sketchbook paper that doesn't tear so easily yet will hold up particularly when using the larger sizes. Recently, I began using the 18" x 24" books to encourage me to draw the human figure and landscapes at a larger scale.

                                                                                 (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

After several interruptions it is always great to get back to watercolor painting. Simply dragging paint across the paper releases emotions and begins to establish new associations within the color spectrum.

For some time I have been trying to transition to a larger format - that is a full sheet. I have painted many full sheets but to be able to paint at that scale as readily as at a much smaller sheet will be a turning point for me.

However, to paint at that larger scale requires more pools of paint, drawing at a more accurate scale and a portability which is quite different from working on a small watercolor block. Regardless, I think I am transitioning to that scale as time goes on.

Recently, I saw some Andrew Wyeth full sheet watercolors in person and could gain a sense of what direction I might carry a painting at this larger scale. One thing is you don't have to fill the whole paper with paint. Another salient point is that over time and practice the compositions one develops are transferable regardless of scale which enables an artist to become more intuitive.

In conclusion, I am not trying to bore the viewer but put down some thoughts at this moment to carry the painting process forward......

Last Night's Plein Air

                                                                                    (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

Last night my wife & I caught a production of Shakespeare's As You Like It, in a local park. It was a lovely evening to paint outside with great light, rich colors and an impressive audience.

I tried a different approach to this watercolor. Pigment was lifted as I was painting the sky in with a brush. Then I put down a wash of green as a backdrop for the trees. Then I painted the trees and trunks over that wash. This made the trees simpler to paint yet provided more depth.

Capturing the undulating ground with a shadow was a nice feature in this watercolor. Overall I like how this picture turned out particularly as most of this painting was created while sitting on the ground.

In conclusion, there were people watching me paint the whole duration of making this picture. However, I expect that in public places. When painting outside the public usually feels entitled to see what you are doing and offer comments and reactions or even try to push you out of the way.

 

Great Setting Light

                                                                                  (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

Last night I caught a small concert on the Brattleboro(VT) Common. It included a trio of seasoned musicians playing a whole range of the American songbook. One of the musicians was Kevin Parry who has hosted numerous open mic's in the region. 

While attending this concert I noticed the amazing setting light in the background which lit up the landscape in ways I have never experienced before.

The warm glow lit up the tree trunks with a lavender hue while the foreground in the light had a pastel-quality to it. Even the distant hills had a misty blue, yet surreal characteristic to them. The above photograph does not pay justice to the experience which ultimately, in my eyes, overshadowed the concert.

July 4th Inspiration

                                                                                 (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

Oh - the fourth of July - what a holiday of traditions. Independence day and all that. For some the beginning of summer. Parades, marches, picnics and fireworks. In this time we are living in - we take our freedoms for granted!

I love this little watercolor painted fast with zero hesitation and no fussing about. After all it was the fourth of July and you could hear fireworks in the distance and see them up close temporarily decorating the sky.

For me watercolor is the only medium where you can capture the smoke and other atmospheric qualities of the lit torch at the end of this guy's hand.

This was painted from memory but still lives on with great clarity in my mind.

Imaginary Landscape

                                                                                (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

On Thursday, July 4 I was irritated with the national news and painted this scene in a decidedly fast manner. I wanted to express some of that aggression in a powerful, yet expressive way.

When painting this watercolor I tried a few different techniques. I painted a very wet sky and dropped in pigment right up until the paper dried. The spray bottle was utilized right into the end.

Ultramarine blue is a transparent color which means I can lift the pigment pretty readily. So I lifted this blue from the body of water and got these whitish streaks which gives the surface a reflective-quality.

Last, I painted the dark evergreens in the immediate foreground to thrust the viewer right into the picture. Sort of implying that the future is now.

It always feels good to mix up your painting approach and try something new. I learn the most when I challenge myself. Most days I learn something about watercolor that I didn't know before. On other days I learn a whole lot about the medium or at least challenge my perception of things going on around me.

Living Memorial Park

                                                                                              (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

Last week my wife and I went to Shakespeare in the Park, at Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro, VT. It felt great to do a summer activity after months of work. It has been a stressful spring like no other, including being selected for jury duty at my busiest time of the year.

This was painted while watching A Midsummer Night's Dream being performed before us. I kept looking at the distant hills as the night wore on and thought I ought to try to capture that scene over there.

It may look like something you may find along the coast or at a mountain top but nevertheless, I like the finished product. The sky was painted very freely and has an expressive- quality to it. I used an atomizer to encourage the colors to run into each other. As the sky dried I added more pigment and lifted out streaks in the sky which may not be visible in this photograph.

The middle and foreground was painted very wet, too. Perhaps, too much as the gray colors bled into each other. I think the darker patches are great as they add a bold stroke to the picture and give a sense of the contours to the distant hill. I lost the distant trees as they dissolved upon drying into the massive rock.

Local Park

                                                                                 (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro

If I have learned anything about spring it is that greens and browns are the colors of the season. The green is the re-emergence of all the growth around us and above our heads while brown is the earth and river bottoms all churned up.

Getting outside is a wonderful thing. This was painted not long ago - as in the early evening - tonight. After dinner I walked to a local park and painted this watercolor, taking advantage of the longest days of the year. There is an old concrete wall and staircase which faces the woods where I set-up my studio for the moment.

It's funny how lively the paper is when it is wet with pigment and water and then as it dries it becomes much flatter in appearance. I painted this picture with just two brushes thus, it made for a quick clean-up.

I feel like the colors are pretty true to what I was seeing - even though the light is always changing all around me. However, the mosquitos gathered around me the whole time I was painting.

Shelter from the Sun

                                                                                    (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

It will be great once this heat wave passes. I can not recall a time in Brattleboro, VT where we had three straight days of one hundred degree days or close to it. Yesterday, the exterior temperature at my house reached 101 degrees. And that sensor is in the back of the house where it is in the shade!

This watercolor conveys the importance of trees in our lives. They provide shade, dappled light and habitat for birds, to name a few. However, in my neighborhood they always seem to be cutting down trees. Ironically, they don't seem to replace the trees or if they do it is with a weak replacement or something that is not allowed to grow to it's full height. This all seems silly and irresponsible to me.

As far as painting trees I find them fun and rewarding. They don't have to be the perfectly symmetrical trees either. Misshapen trees have a lot of character and add much value to your painting. For summer foliage I keep experimenting with the pigment combination of winsor green and burnt sienna.

Madame Sherri Forest

                                                                                               (C) 2025 Dale DiMauro
 

The Madame Sherri Forest in West Chesterfield, NH is a lovely 513 acres of undeveloped land to submerge you into the sights and sounds of one of our great local ecosystems. I prefer the wetland and pond in the lowland, yet at a higher elevation is the lovely Indian Pond.

It seemed like I had a great start in painting this watercolor, on site, until I started to run out of time. By the time I began to paint the water in the foreground, I knew I had to head out to my scheduled medical appointment in the late afternoon, putting a stop to my painting practice.

I was particularly excited about painting the beaver lodge in the foreground with it's distinctive architecture. In addition, I like the blending of pigments for the base of the tall reeds towards the back.

This landscape scene always has dramatic light, which seems to magnify the features of the landscape. In particular, the shadows of the tree masses and the ripples across the water capture my imagination every time I am at the water's edge.