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