West River Trail

 

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

Not only are we experiencing the time change today, but the fall colors and natural light are moving rapidly across the landscape. Thus, one must paint rapidly to capture the landscape as one experiences it outside. While painting this it felt a bit out of control as I was working towards a southern exposure with sunglasses on which skewed the colors a little bit. 

As I was painting along an old rail bed full of dog walkers, joggers and strollers, etc., my activity drew many onlookers as one might imagine. 

Regardless, the colors and brushstrokes convey a positive energy on the paper which I really like. The rich browns and transparent blues set the tone for the scene. I do like to leave some area of the paper white as it provides another dimension to the layers of wash.

I have come to prefer this winsor newton watercolor block for painting in the elements(10" x 14").

Full disclosure - I have updated my operating system to the most recent version and have much to learn on the fly. This version is supposed to have greater security measures. However, there is a lot of AI influence with many of the options shut off, but there are many other features to fully comprehend.

Mt. Wantastiquet

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Boy, the sun fades fast at the end of the day, these days. This was painted shortly after 4PM today. It was a glorious day with the radiant glow of the fall foliage in the air and across the water. I even experienced a motorized hang glider pass high up in the sky right before my eyes. This was all happening in front of Wantastiquet Mountain, in Brattleboro, VT.

It is not easy to capture the full range of color that the natural world demands from my watercolor palette but I do the best I can. The distant hill with the russet colored foliage sprinkled with evergreen spikes has been very present with the recent absence of rain.

The water had a lot of brown tinges to it projecting from the hillside. However, I don't know if I captured that as much as I would like.

I painted this scene with just two brushes - a large flat brush and a rigger. 

Keba: Artmate

Stretching watercolor paper can be a challenge. Many artists stay away from having to stretch paper, period. However, I lean towards using the less heavier papers (ie. 140 lb variety). These usually require stretching the paper or using watercolor blocks. The larger blocks I find tend to separate in the corners.

Through trial and error I have adopted using the Kebaartmate. I first purchased a full sheet paper stretcher which is reliable and great but awkward to maneuver. Recently, as the beneficiary of a gift card I earned ,I bought a half sheet paper stretcher. Both paper stretchers come from a company based in Sweden. This paper stretcher was on backorder for a long time.

However, since this product arrived earlier this week I am enjoying this paper stretcher immensely. It reliably stretches the paper as tight as a drum. Of course, it takes some practice and judgement to master the process. 

One of the benefits of using a paper stretcher is that you can stretch all kinds of different papers with a variety of surfaces, too(rough, cold press, soft press, hot press etc.). Also, I hope this paper stretcher will encourage me to paint on a larger scale more frequently, outside. Plus, I think with practice this experience will push me to paint full sheet watercolors more intuitively.

In addition, some of the thicker papers are very pricey which I feel guilty to use. I often feel like I don't want to waste a fancy sheet of paper and this approach in the past has prevented me from using those sheets.

 

Fabriano Postcards

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

With this lovely fall color it is a great time to paint outside, assuming you can squeeze in some time before the rains move in. Also, in Vermont, this is the time of year with many craft shows and outdoor festivals.

I picked up this Fabriano watercolour pad at a local bookstore. It is always good to try new materials and see what I can come up with. Recently, I have been experimenting with Fabriano watercolor paper as it a great surface to lift color from.

Landscape painting is a relaxing thing to do either outside or before going to bed. Yesterday, I actually purchased a used book on the Hudson River Painters for $2.00 near the site of the Newfane Heritage Festival, in Newfane, VT. Inspiration can emerge from all sorts of experiences.

This Mornings Painting.....

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

This morning I joined The Brush & Palette Painters, who meet at the Gibson-Aiken Building in downtown Brattleboro, VT. Most people paint in watercolor even though on occasion some people use gouache or acrylic, etc.

Regardless, it is a varied and friendly group. 

The inspiration for this watercolor was a late summer trip to Krane's beach, in Ipswich, MA. The whole time we were there I kept thinking I was in Maine - it has a lot of coastal qualities found in both states.

I keep experimenting with different approaches to the sky. Here, I used a atomizer to bleed the sky color down into the distant atmosphere. These were qualities experienced when we walked toward the beach.

 

This is Summer......

 

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

The colors of summer can be elusive. While autumn has it's fall colors and winter has it's snow, the colors of summer can be challenging to pin down. 

The verdant greens of summer differ from the yellow-greens of spring. They are more mature, with a quiet presence, soon altered by the reds and russets of late summer. However, the energy of the water in our local ponds and lakes really comes to life at this time of year. It seems to partner well with the lush growth all around us.

These are the qualities I see in this watercolor. They are a marker of the passing of time. More important, they get us outside to enjoy the longest days of the year.

Sap Green & Sepia

 

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

Recently, I was reading an article on watercolor painting where the author only used sap green and sepia to mix all her greens. These two pigments provide a rich and lively green which can be cooled or warmed with ultramarine blue or burnt sienna, if need be. 

On occasion I like to use Phthalo blue with burnt sienna or Prussian blue with new gamboge for a lively green. So I figured I would give this sap green and sepia combination a shot and this is what I came up with.

The field areas were painted with some yellow ochre but the tree foliage was painted with this sap green/ sepia pairing.  

It does seem to be a useful combination to convey the foliage of summer. It is a nice contrast with the spare and dried color of the fields. The absence of color where the water is conveys a calm, serene quality to the landscape.

Scott Farm

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Often I go plein air painting by myself. However, I did paint outside, recently, with a group from the Saxton's River Art Group up at Scott Farm in Dummerston, VT. It truly felt like the end of summer with numerous seasonal changes in the air.

I was pressed for time but did what I could in an hour or so. This stark white farm building, with a bit of history to it, stood out amongst the lush hillside. The goldenrod was in peak bloom lighting up the ground plane in the outlaying fields.

The Scott Farm is such a memorable landscape with the Vermont hillside, collection of stonewall projects and orchards of apple trees. Where is there not a subject to paint?

Green River(VT) Swimming Hole

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Swimming holes are challenging to paint outside. The light and shadows are so dramatic yet changing rapidly. The Green River, in Guilford, VT, with it's historic covered bridge offers diverse subject matter.

One of the challenges to painting outside is determining what to focus on. Usually I find a subject matter which I can easily embrace. On this day I wasn't so set on my subject, on the other hand how could I go wrong? There are so many beautiful sights. 

This watercolor was painted on Labor Day and boy was it a gorgeous day! I focused on the right side of the falls to simplify the composition. I do like the transparency of the water and the energy coming off the mass of overall green foliage. 

It is tricky in watercolor to not overdo it. I was beginning to cramp from an awkward painting location and needed to stop. So this was it.

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

(C) 2026 Photograph Dale DiMauro

This year's Art-in-the-Park in Keene, NH, was a lovely event. It ran this past Saturday & Sunday, just prior to Labor Day. My wife and I attended on Saturday. The weather was great and there was quite a flow of people at the event.

We saw and met numerous artists and vendors at the event, many we knew from prior years and others we know from a different context. For example, there were artists from the Saxton's River Art Group(VT), students from Keene High School and other artists from an art critique group I attended a while back.

One artist who paints with watercolor among other media mentioned she uses aquabord which is sold as a ready to hang in of itself panel. These panels are just starting to work there way on to the market, but are real handy for plein air painters. They even come with a mounting clip and hangar on the back. From the side angle they appear to be panels mounted on a wood frame.

Other artists come up with clever ideas which are quite inspiring. One woman developed a cover(with art on it) for these popular glass yogurt jars that many seem to end up with when purchasing certain yogurts.

Overall, the event seems to keep on growing. Even the National Park Service was present with a booth representing Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park(NH). It makes me consider putting a booth together for next year. However, it is a lot of work and the weather needs to cooperate.

The Maine Coast

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

The Maine coast is a distinctive landscape. The smell of the sea life with the crashing water and rocky shoreline is unmistakeable.

I painted this watercolor over two sessions. It is a sort of postcard, as I didn't get to visit Maine this year. I know many other people who couldn't afford to go to Maine this year, too.

The original inspiration was as a cloud study as the sky is so varied. However, the water and rocks are really captivating. Even the shadows within the rocks are descriptive of the the overall shoreline and the life that is hanging on, in the pools and eddy's of the changing tides.

The drifts of mist coming off the ocean is a quality I only attribute to watercolor. The importance of using a mister, and when, is of great importance, here.

Today's Plein Air

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Painting outside can be lovely at this time of year as the air becomes crisper and some color begins to emerge. Regardless, you have to move along as the light changes rapidly.

It is important to utilize soft and hard edges when possible. You can recognize some soft edges in the sky where the color dissolves into the clouds. These are some magical touches if you capture these moments. These gradations add much to your picture and can guide you in not overworking your scene.

After my dental appointment yesterday, I squeezed in this watercolor of a local scene. The colors were vivid, the air quality was great and I was able to perch under a lovely shade tree.

One of the Protesters

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

There have been many protests in the last year and for good reason. We definitely no longer are the name we say we are. The United States, is an inaccurate name for what we used to be. I am not saying we will not rebound, but it certainly seems like a long time in the making.

This protester seems to be complaining about the cold as well as the state of Washington, DC. However, like many, at least he got outside, to join the horde of displeased people.

When capturing the human figure it seems best to just put down on paper your washes and move on. Otherwise, it is too easy to go back and overwork the image. Over time, I have learned to appreciate the freshness of the application of washes in watercolor. 

This guy had a fanny pack on which blended in with his clothes.

One-Wash Watercolor

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

Some of the best watercolors are done quickly, with little time wasted. Usually, with a very limited palette.

I am not saying this is a great watercolor but it was done in no time at all. Also, it was painted in one wash - suggesting the impact to the viewer can be significant. Personally, I like the blending of the pigments at the base of the wash - there is a little 'blurry' quality where some isolated vegetation rests. The other quality which stands out - is the lack of temperature - this picture does not feel particularly warm or cool, simply neutral.

This was painted with just two pigments: sepia and quinacridone gold. It has a 'sepia ' feel to it as if it was from a historical document. The stark simplicity of the composition and treatment of the subject are quite striking. It is almost memorable just for the presentation of this wash.

 

Red into Blue

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Adding the color red into your sky can transform your landscape painting. It gives you this brownish gray mood which sets the tone for your scene. I forgot how effective this is when I accidentally dropped some cadmium red into my ultramarine blue sky. Also, the red can play off the red you have in your landscape, whether it is a burnt sienna or Indian red, etc.

I find this approach may give your watercolor a British or historical feel.

This is another example of how important it is to constantly experiment with your mark -making, pigment usage and paper selection. For example, I try every kind of paper I can find. Also, I use all the different surfaces from rough, hot press, soft press, cold press to illustration board.

Latest Plein Air

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

After all this rain, humidity and cloudy days, it is great to get outside and paint. When it is hot and humid out I find the early evening the best time to paint. If you are lucky you can capture the setting sun in one form or another.

This local park is a nice short walk from my house, yet full of potential subject matter. There is usually diverse groups of people in the park making for some interesting interactions.

This mature evergreen on the edge of the field has a distinctive branch structure which frames the open space nicely. Also, it attracts a lot of bird species.

Today...........A Still Life

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

Charles Reid(1937-2019) had a great way of capturing flower compositions without overdoing it. I admire all his work, but particularly his floral pictures. He left much of the paper white - unpainted, to great affect.

This is a different subject matter for me, although not all that different in some regards. In my life I have sketched, drawn or painted many plants. The texture of this Baohong watercolor paper I find intriguing. Lots of saturated color in segregated areas.

This watercolor gives me a lot to think about before painting my next flower composition. I don't want to spend hours on end painting flowers, not that I did in this case. However, I like the freshness of a few washes done rapidly with some precision.

 

This Evening's Plein Air

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

A few years ago I was given ten stunning daylily plants from Olallie Daylily Gardens in Newfane, VT. In normal times I would not see them bloom as mid-July is usually vacation time. Obviously, this year, with the cost of living outrageously out of control, I was home to see the flowers in bloom.

This watercolor has a Winslow Homer(1836 - 1910) look to it, consciously or not. I painted one of my daylilies in bloom but didn't want to spend a lot of time fussing with the background, particularly as the light was already low. Instead, I dropped in a landscape, which gave the flower a greater presence with it's upward perspective. Some daylilies, to me, have a tropical look, which this landscape embodies.

I painted this watercolor this evening as the sun was setting. The bugs got the better of me in the end.

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

My wife and I often usher shows at the Colonial Theater in Keene, New Hampshire. Through the years we have seen plays, comedians, musical acts and community performances live. Along the way we have met many people in the theater or in working these shows.

This watercolor depicts the landscape adjacent to the Showroom which the Colonial Theater opened shortly after COVID-19 passed. Whenever I park in this lot, the late day light and setting sun draw my attention.

It feels good to paint buildings in the landscape. Something about the way buildings shape and define spaces make the landscape compelling. When you add in the shadows, cast by these buildings, there is another layer of life that reveals itself.

Fall Colors

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Fall colors really push the range of one's palette. The high oranges and reds are in a range I don't paint everyday. Likewise, the deep, cool blue-greens I don't use often, too. 

This picture reminds me of a walk through the woods in late October when the days have become short. I did this picture to escape from the poor air quality brought on from the Canadian fires and the high humidity of summer. There is a crispness in the watercolor washes that is descriptive of the cool and clear evenings of late fall.

I like it when the contours of the landscape reveal themselves, whether it is the outcroppings of rock or an undulating shoreline.

 

Statue on the Brattleboro Common

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Statues are great opportunities to capture the human figure. They are put high up on a pedestal to increase their relevance, whether they are deserving or not. However, the way the light descends across their body during the course of the day, makes them quite captivating.

This statue can be found on the Brattleboro Common(VT) as part of the 1887 Civil War Soldier's Monument. Not long ago it was discovered that local black Americans who sacrificed for this country. were not being represented. This racial discrimination was amended with a new engraving at the foot of the statue.

I always wanted to paint a statute and so I did. I am sure I will paint many more in the future. This looser approach for the sky, with a wet wash, I believe, complements the subject matter of the figure.

Cigar Boxes

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Cigar boxes are a neat and convenient way to store art supplies. They come in all kinds of sizes from rectangles, squares and the like.

This one I found at my local second hand store. It cost ten dollars and was in incredible condition. Some you have to air out for some time, to get rid of the cigar smell, but not this one. Also, the hinges were in great shape with a good clasp. Often there is hideous advertising on the top but I kind of like this one.

I primarily store fountain pens, pencils and the like which are easily accessible in my home studio. Also, you can stack many of these cigars boxes of similier dimensions on top of each other.

I have written on cigar boxes in the past but this one was too good to pass on.

Summer

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

The recent prolonged heat wave with high temperatures and high humidity sapped the energy out of me. It was hard to stay outside for any length of time. However, I did get some outside swimming in.

I swam twice in Lake Spofford which the New Hampshire Fish & Wildlife Game Department identified as the cleanest lake in New Hampshire. Where I was on the lake I did't see any European Milfoil, at all. It was lovely.

It's great to paint a summer scene. And to me these are the colors of summer.

 

Landscape Painting.

 

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

Landscape painting takes expression in all kinds of forms. Sometimes it is a great vista(ie. the Hudson River School) or a lovely garden detail. This watercolor may look illustrative and in fact, be illustrative, the result of direct painting while recently, watching Shakespeare in the Park.

This is a different kind of watercolor for me. Nevertheless, it was the back lighting of the woods which caught my attention in contrast to the dark foreground. That setting sun revealed a drama unmatched by the drama on the stage.

When painting outside I have learned all I really need is two or three brushes to complete a picture. I like the freshness of the colors in this picture.

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Last night my wife and I attended a community theater production, Shakespeare in the Park. As we enjoyed the show, I made this watercolor sketch of the scene in front of me. The actors did a wonderful job, but I always enjoy watching the audience as well.

My wife is an aficionado on all things Shakespeare. She is more than willing to correct people or ask their opinion on modern interpretations of the various plays.

I did this watercolor on my lap while eating dinner outside in a lawn chair. It is always fascinating for me to observe people with their diverse postures and assortment of accumulated stuff that they lug everywhere. Also, this Shakespeare play brought out an eclectic group of dogs, which held their own, for the most part, even though there were many distractions.

Reflections & Expressions

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

Over time with practice one finds their way around the paper. By that I mean intuitively artists begin to know where to place a mark and start painting without hesitating or fussing about. The intimidation of a white sheet of paper is no longer really such a factor. 

I think this plays out as you learn how the paper accepts the pigment and the amount of time you have to manipulate the paint before it starts to dry. Then your knowledge of your palette comes in to play. You can mix colors based on past experiences, observe what is in front of you or experiment with new and unknown color combinations.

I like it when a little doodle turns into a landscape. Do you paint the tree first with the landscape around it or do you paint the landscape and add the tree later? 

When I doodle the landscape develops in it's own time. It progresses without expectations or rigid thinking.

There is an abstract quality to this watercolor which I find calming. The stillness of the implied water and the sense of a moment frozen in time. Both of these qualities are expressed through the reflections upon the water.

 

Crowell Park

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

This was painted after a wet, stormy Friday afternoon. Little did I know that trees and downed limbs were struck all over the tri-state region(MA/VT/NH). Allergies were killing me, I could barely breathe. Then it dawned on me - that in fact, it was allergies and nothing else that was bothering me. So I had throat coat tea and was much better off.

However, when I painted this watercolor big drops of water were still falling on me out of the sky. So I moved to a different picnic table with greater cover under a tree which opened up my vantage point, too. The rain cleared everybody out of the park. Before long a rainbow emerged toward's the East over the tree on the edge of the basketball court.

Compositionally, this basketball court in the foreground adds much needed contrast to all the green in the painting. This picture was painted rapidly as it was done on my walk home from downtown.

Sometimes the best paintings happen with the least planning or emotional input. Not that this is a great painting but there is a freshness in this picture which in my mind shows the potential of watercolor. I was forced to make rapid decisions, yet be flexible in my decision making.

Brooks Library Painting

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

My local library, Brooks Library in Brattleboro, VT currently has a dedicated watercolor station for those from the public who would like to give watercolor a try. When I was at the library yesterday, I gave it a go as the British say.

This is my quick watercolor using the libraries resources. These aren't the paints, brushes or paper I would normally use but they did the job. Plus, the paper didn't buckle at all. I just made this scene up to see what I could come with.

My only criticism is that there were no paper towels to clean-up the palette for the next person to use. I do like the vibrant colors which reminds me of the energy of spring. 

I would be curious what other people come up with.

The Season of Greens

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Spring seems to have raced into summer, at least here in southern Vermont. A heat wave in the early parts of June seems out of character for where I live. Not long ago, 'The Strolling of the Heifers' dominated the first weekend of June, This same weekend is when the Hadley(MA) asparagus festival is  held. A gardening client in Brattleboro told me she had eaten all the asparagus she grew before the month of June.

One thing that is certain is the landscape is green. The pollen everywhere makes everything fuzzy green, too. What I traditionally like about this time of year are the greens and browns in the landscape. The greens are the new growth emerging while the brown is the earth and waterways stirred up with runoff and dry patchers of earth.

When I finished this watercolor sketch it made me think of Acadia National Park, in Bar Harbor, Maine. The rounded peak of Cadillac Mountain and the brown-tinged rock outcroppings are strong characteristics of that area. Even the yellow-greens of the foliage resonate with me.

Crowell Park

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

There is a lovely park, walking distance from my house. I have actually written about this park in the past but perhaps it needs more publicity. Most Vermonters would't want it to get any more attention, though. It is the name or lack thereof which I find perplexing. 

Most parks are named and have large signs stating where you are in the world - giving identity or history to it's origins. The only reason I know this is called Crowell Park is because it is on the Brattleboro, VT bus line. There is an actual bus stop and shelter on the edge of the property with the bus route posted.

Back to the park. This a well-used and beloved park. It sits adjacent to the Green Street School and many people use it and it's paths in warmer weather to bypass walking along Green Street or Western Avenue. Parents of young children frequently bring their children to the playground while young men are often seen running up and down the basketball court. Also, dog walkers often use the park. In addition, there is a little used softball field.

When it is a hot and humid day I walk home from downtown through it's lovely shaded trails and inviting open spaces which are more pleasant than the noise and hustle of the pavement. I do not know the actual size of the park but it is larger than meets the eye or at least feels larger than one would suspect.

I have painted in the park numerous times from various vantage points. Late last fall I liked to set-up my painting equipment on the perimeter retaining wall which was a good height as I didn't need to lug an easel to this location.

Earlier this week I set-up to paint on one of the picnic tables in the park by the basketball court which is sheltered by a dense hedge and lovely young tree bursting forth with new foliage. While a young asian man was shooting baskets by himself he became curious what I was doing. Eventually his basketball ball rolled over by me and we struck up a conversation. He was impressed by my use of color and handling of the paint at my disposal. It made him think of the park differently and why I focused on the area I did.

I think the Brattleboro Historical Society should do a feature on the Crowell Park in the local paper if it hasn't done one recently. It is certainly a vital part of the town.

View Towards Mt. Wantastiquet

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Some days it is good to just get in a watercolor sketch. For whatever reason, putting pigment to paper in a rapid fashion is very satisfying. This let's the texture of the paper reveal itself intead of fighting it. It is sort of a 'letting go' experience.

This was painted in the early evening from one of my favorite 'stone' benches in downtown Brattleboro, VT.  I could hear but not see distant motor boats on the Connecticut River below.

I lifted pigment from the paper suggesting distant tree trunks across the river. At the time with the spring colors and shadows so lively, the values projecting from the landscape were so clear to interpret.

At this time of year, painting in the early evening is a good time to get outside. The high temperataures, humidity and sweat of the day has often settled.

Retreat Meadows

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

One of the great signs of spring is the arrival of birds. Both the activity of birds and the song of birds simply enriches our lives in ways we don't fully comprehend. Birds evolution with the landscape is complex and mis-understood. 

Just this past winter, I read a book(In Search of the Imperial Woodpecker, author?) about the Imperial woodpecker of Mexico which was nearly two feet tall. When this ivory-billed woodpecker hammered into the tall pine trees it resonated throughout the valley. The native people back in time considered it a sacred sound.

Stuff like this about birds is fascinating to me. I have gone on bird walks with organized groups this spring to learn what ever I can.

This watercolor was painted on a bird walk in early May with a great diversity of song up in the emerging tree canopies. The new growth and rich blues of the sky and water drew my attention,

After Winter Among the Retreat Meadows

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Before the spring growth re-emerges, the spatial qualities of the landscape present themselves in new and exciting ways. With most of the tree foliage absent one can see deeper into the landscape and the character of the inlets and clumps of growth. 

The driftwood in the foreground, that has emerged from the long winter, has a sculptural quality that stands out in the landscape. Also, it is an appetizing landing strip for any bird to perch on.

I like the sky as much as the landscape in this picture. There is such vibrant energy above the tree line. I tried to bleed warm touches along with the blues both with soft and hard edges. Some of that energy is reflected in the water.

One of the qualities I noticed was the distant field through the evergreens. It adds a hazy, surreal quality to the landscape. However, to me the evergreens make the picture - a certain backdrop to the changing stage.

Brattleboro Common

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

While my car was in the shop this afternoon, I painted this plein air. It felt good to sit at a picnic table in the shade and paint this lovely tree. The more I observed this scene the more I became aware of how green the landscape has become.

I do find painting outside sharpens my observation skills and makes me focus on what is at hand. At times there was a lovely dappled light piercing through the layered canopies above my head. However, it would disappear as quickly as it would come upon me. As a matter of fact, I stained the lower part of the paper a light yellow to enable this quality to pop through the various greens.

This photograph does not do justice to this watercolor as much of the pigmentation and clarity of light has been lost.

By the end of the day I had painted two watercolors. If you include test sheets - then I produced 4 watercolors this afternoon. Many people like the test sheets as they have a rich saturation of pigments. Most of my test sheets I turn into little landscapes, too. 

Retrreat Farm

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

Recently,  I have been going on guided bird walks with groups in the Brattleboro, Vt area. I want to learn what I can before the bird population vanishes.

This watercolor I started today was based on a bird walk down by the Brattleboro Retreat Farm. I was running late because of other commitments but managed to get this much down on paper in a little over an hour. However, I didn't get to finish the figures in this picture.

As soon as I started this watercolor I was determined to include the figures and not add them at the end. So I sketched them in from the start along with the sky, hills and fields.

I have received a lot of positive feedback from people. Some people like the depth into the scene while others like the rich color tones. One woman even offered me some of her white gouache to highlight the gentleman's hair.

Brattleboro Retreat Farmland

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Recently, I went on an organized bird walk with the Windham County Conservation District called, Birds on the Farm, at the Brattleboro Retreat. This took place in Brattleboro, VT at 7AM. There was a strong turnout - nearly twenty people - many knowledgable 'bird' people. Nevertheless, I learned a lot even though all the bird sightings and bird calls were a bit overwhelming.

We first were taken along the meadows which had a lot of bird activity. This was followed up by walking under the 'cow tunnel' which is basically a floodplain into an open field just above the meadows. You entered this open field via a boardwalk where there were some newly planted fruit trees at the edges of the open space.

As we left the boardwalk and stepped on to the soft turf of the field I could see patches of open water where Canadian geese were gliding by on the surface. I was struck from the distance I was at, of the sizable scale of these birds in relation to the other avian life we were seeing.

This watercolor was painted shortly after this experience. There was a freshness to the new seasonal growth which is their actual habitat and thus, new emerging bird activity.

Mount Wantastiquet, in New Hampshire can be seen in the distance.

Match box Automobiles to Paper

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Match box automobiles are popular the world over. I have accumulated some match box cars by no accident. Most were purchased with drug store coupons.

They are great models to get the proportions of automobiles down on paper. Each car or truck has strong characteristics which can be assimilated on watercolor paper. Every car has interesting door shapes, front end configurations, windshields, hubcaps and colorings, etc.

It is of value to paint both the front and rear ends as well as the side views

With practice I can only get better. As always there is much work to be done. However, to integrate automobiles just like figures, into my watercolors, in a natural light, is a worthwhile effort. 

B.O.C. - End of Season

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

  

The end of the season at the Brattleboro Outing Club comes quickly. I am talking about the cross-country ski aspect of the BOC. The snow melts rapidly and before long some fog has moved in and the golf course is suddenly closed for the season. You will see closed signs up along the driveway.

This watercolor makes me think of this sudden ending every time I see this image. I can just feel the snow melting before my eyes.

Anyway, we are well into spring.....

However, there is one last gathering to finalize the winter season. This social for volunteers and other contributors is at the Marina in Brattleboro on Wednesday from 5:30 - 7:00 PM .

Brattleboro Brush & Palette Watercolor Group

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Today, I was late but made it to the Brattleboro(VT) Brush & Palette group. By now I have gone several times. Most artists seem to paint in watercolor. This group meets at the Gibson-Aiken building in downtown Brattleboro.

This was the second watercolor I painted during my time there today. It was painted fast and wet. If you are observant you will see a silhouette of a figure on the right side of the picture. Whenever I step away and go to the bathroom people seem to scurry over and see what I have done.

In general, people share their opinions, experiences and knowledge as the time goes by. It is good to see what others are working on and the materials they are using. On the other hand it is easy to become distracted and to putter about.

Off the West River Trail

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

Water attracts a lot of activity. Sometimes it is bird migration, other times it is paddlers out for a jaunt up the river. 

Whenever I can, I walk along the West River Trail in Brattleboro, VT, partly for exercise but also to see what activity is on the river.

This day I really took note of the sculptural quality of the driftwood along the river's edge. Bird's used it to land on while the shadows it cast on the water were quite compelling.

From a compositional standpoint, the driftwood is a focal point of this watercolor. However, the subdued grays of the distant trees make the warm color pop forward and give the overall tone of the picture a calming affect.

Along the West River Trail

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

The landscape is always changing and some times it is best when those changes are subtle. I like the color and feel of the landscape once the snow melts before all the green growth moves in. There is a sort of peaceful and calm demeanor to this landscape with the shoreline reshaped after the forces of Winter. Most people may not observe this time of year but I think that approach is a lost opportunity.

This watercolor was painted on one of the thicker papers - 300 lb cold press to be exact. This paper gives you more time to work your washes which can be a real benefit. There is a quality to this paper that I really like. I find I can do nice blending of pigments on this paper, too. Even though it is a thicker paper it still warps a bit. However, I paint quite wet which contributes to that warping. 

Nevertheless, I think it is an excellent paper for plein air painting. This picture is probably more of a study than a finished landscape which I am okay with. You won't learn anything if you don't try.

Newly Framed Painting

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

 

It is always pleasing to have a painting framed. Having your watercolor matted and framed in a professional manner gives your artwork such a strong and positive presentation. 

These days there are so many decisions to be made in the framing process. Important decisions along the way for me included the use of museum-quality glass and which color of mat would be most suitable for this particular artwork.

In this case, I had locally purchased a second hand frame years ago. This frame has a gold tinged quality which plays off the warm tones in the watercolor.

Already I have received numerous compliments on both the quality of the painting and the choice of frame with this particular artwork.

Framing is an expensive process so anything one can do to keep the costs down is prudent. On the other hand framing takes time and space in one's house away from other tasks. The artwork, glass and mat needs to be stored and kept as clean as possible until the picture is assembled it it's frame.

Ultimately,  I hope to accumulate 20 - 25 quality watercolors in professional frames and find a venue to exhibit these, that's in Brattleboro, VT, where I live. I have around 15 professionally- framed watercolors right now with some full-sheet paintings looking for a home.

There are a great many other watercolors of all sizes worthy of being framed, too. Perhaps, numbering in the hundreds. 

After all, it is well known that Winslow Homer painted over seven hundred watercolors and John Singer Sargent painted over two thousands watercolors. In fact, about fifteen years ago, a descendant of Emily Sargent, John Singer Sargent's sister, found nearly five hundred watercolors in a trunk in their attic.

Leap-forward from Last Winter

            

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

Painting outside influences how I paint inside. That may seem like an odd statement to many. However, the focus and the determination to stay on course are critically important. 

When you paint inside there are no real restraints to how you go about with your painting practice. You can put every little detail in your picture, noodle an area endlessly and work on your painting for months. Not to mention all the other distractions that endlessly consume volumes of our time such as responding to emails, phone calls etc.

This picture was painted entirely in one sitting. I find it a very satisfying use of my time. 

As it has been said many times before by notable and unknown artists alike: drawing and painting make you stop and see the world or your view of world for what it is - nothing more and nothing less. Along the way you sharpen your perceptions and memory of everyday experiences. 

You discover that the proportions of the hand you drew are not quite right but they are more accurate than the last time you tried. Just the same, that massive puffy cloud you just walked under had a quality you never noticed before.

These are some of the experiences that take you to another level as an artist, scientist or well-intentioned human being. Welcome to Spring!

Dummer State Park

(C) 2026 Dale DiMauro

Hiking through a state park seems like a defiant act of Spring. It seems like a statement that Winter may be officially over. Well - I hiked through Dummer State Park in Brattleboro, VT a few weeks ago after I saw my dental hygienist. 

For me it expanded my walking perimeter after a long and difficult Winter. No wildlife was found. However, there was a scattering of people, likewise, spreading their wings a little bit.

What I did observe was the lovely sunlight and longer length of days penetrating deep into the woods which one would not notice once the trees all leaf out.

That warm experience I put on paper here on this watercolor block. The spatial quality of the trees and the pine needle forest bed added a welcome mat for the new season to unfold.