Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Cobalt Blue & Burnt Umber

                                                                                              (C) 2026 Dale DiMauro
 

Sand, water and stone makes a strong composition. There is a simplicity and timeless quality to these elements which is unmistakeable. The tide is generally coming in or going out. This watercolor was based  on a photograph I took along the coast of Maine.

This entire watercolor was painted with just two pigments: cobalt blue and burnt umber.  First, I painted a wash of cobalt blue over the paper. However, since this was a rough Arches watercolor paper some high points on the paper remained white, suggesting some sparkle from the sun.

Then I mixed both pigments to depict the sand color. After this I mixed the darkest value which is the rock-like color.

With experience I have learned to not fight the roughness of the paper if a paper has much texture to it's surface. After all, this is the strength of the painting surface. This picture was painted in one sitting.

I like the overall feel of this picture - it is very rhythmic and calming.

No comments:

Post a Comment