The Master's Choice: Artist Watercolor Block

                                                                     (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

Shortly after the new year I purchased two new watercolor blocks of a paper that was new to me. Since then I have been experimenting and gaining experience using 'The Master's Choice', with origins to China called BAOHONG.

I have been painting on their rough surface which has a pleasing tooth to the paper. It appears to be a durable surface which can take many layers of washes and some say will not buckle when wet.

At this point it seems to only be available in this country from Jerry's Artarama. This paper also comes in cold pressed and hot pressed surfaces. 

It takes a little practice to become acquainted with the qualities of this paper. However, for those artists out there who like to try something new, this may be just what you are looking for. 

Charles Reid

                                                                                   2022 Dale DiMauro
 

Charles Reid(1937-2019) was one of the most talented watercolor painters I have come upon. He was an artist, teacher and author of many books which I have mentioned in a previous post. This winter during some of the coldest days I have been reading up on Reid's approach to painting as I have accumulated several of his books found at local, used book stores.

Reid is well known for his figure painting done during workshops or in front of art groups with a model. Equally impressive to me are his landscapes and still life paintings which have a lot of color, yet are not overworked, which in itself is impressive.

One evening in my sketchbook I copied one of his compositions to study his technique and this is what I came up with. This watercolor sketch was done in less than ten minutes but was very rewarding. I like how all the shapes are pretty much linked together.

On the Beach

                                                                                      (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

Each time I paint with watercolors I learn something. Sometimes it is a small realization and at other times it is significant.

This painting has very few washes on it, enabling me to retain the white of the paper and move around the page rapidly. Also, the white of the paper is varied in it's character from dry brush areas to open areas. In addition, the sky where it is absent of paint at the horizon becomes part of the graded wash of blue which becomes darker in gradation the higher in the sky you go.

Finally, when I am dissatisfied with a watercolor I often turn it over and start another picture on the back. I find this works well and reliably with Arches watercolor paper.

More Experimenting

                                                                                       (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

Colors dominate our life in one form or another. Whether it is slick advertising on television or a greenhouse full of spring bulbs bursting forth. 

It can be challenging to determine if a color can stand on it's own. Also, it is a challenge to mix and arrive at a color you intend on.

In the evening I often jot down color combinations which seem intriguing or I select combinations I have zero experience with. Along the way I am able to expand my knowledge of my palette and become greater able to draw upon this information down the road.

The vibrant orange on the bottom is the result of combining quinacridone gold with permanent brown(a Daniel Smith pigment). Above, the base wash under the vegetation is the product of permanent brown and raw sienna.

These color combination give life to the paper which appeals to me. Also, they make the white of the paper come forward.

Fort Dummer State Park

                                                                                       (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro

Fort Dummer State Park is one of those understated parks that you might come upon dotted around the state of Vermont. It is located in Brattleboro, VT, not far from the local high school. It has history, recreational value and scenic qualities we take for granted. I often walk, hike or snowshoe the grounds and take in the mid-day sun, when I can.

This watercolor was inspired from a walk I took late last winter before the state was preparing to open for the summer season. It is a nice place to explore at that time of year as they don't seem to get much of a mud season. By this time bird activity ramps up quickly.

I like that this picture is between the seasons. Is it spring or still winter? The major challenge was to depict the woodland edge without fussing about too much. It easy to overwork the trees and get lost in the details. There is a warmth to the woods which I like which is not so inviting in the winter months.

Off the West River Trail

                                                                                       (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

For a week or so I have been enjoying this new watercolor paper - marketed as The Masters' Choice. I particularly like the rough version. This is the second such watercolor I have done on this paper, both winter scenes. This paper has a lovely tooth to it.

The West River Trail offers many views of the river and woodland areas. Under a blanket of snow it is a totally different experience. I like the reddish growth in the distance against the white of the snow.

Sepia & the White of the Paper

 

                                                                                      (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro

This tree was painted with the combination of sepia and permanent sap green. In the past I didn't really mix sepia with other pigments. I don't know why, but it never occurred to me. Since then I have been experimenting with a whole range of pigments to combine with sepia.

The tone of this color combination was appealing when wet and even in it's dry state. With this one wash on the paper the tree seems to have a presence on the page which is not overstated.

Lately, I have begun to appreciate the white of the paper more than ever before. Sometimes less paint can communicate more. Also, one can achieve greater depth in the picture if you leave the white of the paper in certain areas.

THE MASTERS CHOICE - A New Watercolor Paper

                                                                          (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

Since last fall I had been eager to try this Chinese watercolor paper - Baohong, now marketed as The Master's Choice. There has been increasing interest and demand for this paper world-wide. Many say it is a high quality surface to paint on which does not buckle, yet can take many washes and repeated scrubbing.

The only retailer in the states who seems to carry this paper is Jerry's Artarama. Earlier this week I tried a rough version of this paper which has a tooth to it. This little watercolor is the result of my first experience using this paper.

There is something appealing about an image consisting of fresh snow and a blue sky. Perhaps, it is because this winter has been one challenge after another, so far. Messy and icy accumulations with sudden melting and refreezing has been frustrating to handle. On the other hand, fresh snow that blankets the landscape and stays in that condition for a period of days is both spiritually uplifting and lovely to ski or sled in.

Winter 2022(so far)

                                                                           (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

This imaginary watercolor scene reminds me of the local outing club. That is the Brattleboro Outing Club which has been maintaining cross-country ski and snowshoe trails for the public, for years. Also, they offer instruction for school groups in the area, encouraging kids and adults to embrace all that winter has to offer.

However, this winter seems more challenging than most, partly due to COVID and in part to the unpredictable winter weather we are having. Will it rain, snow, sleet, ice over and melt in the next seventy-two hours? Well, there is good chance that several of those conditions will materialize.

With this kind of winter, when I leave the house I not only include several mask options but find myself preparing for the moment and the chance that when I return home it may be totally different outside. Thus, I include a hooded parka, sunglasses, gloves, hat, ice grippy's for my feet, a small fabric to clean the fog and moisture off my glasses, etc.

This watercolor was painted primarily with three colors: ultramarine blue, burnt sienna and payne's gray. With a razor I lifted some color to suggest birch trees in the distant woodland edge.

Winter Scene

                                                                                        (C)2022 Dale DiMauro
 

Since we haven't had much of a Winter so far, which is simply bizarre to me - I painted this imaginative one. Southern Vermont seems dark and out of place without snow or frozen ponds scattered about.

It is natural to keep the white of the paper as the snow and paint in the other landscape features. If you play up your dry brush washes it can provide texture in the field in the expression of your grasses, etc.

I find in painting the distant hills it is important to keep the upper areas painted with warm colors. As you work down the hill it is necessary to establish stronger values which are cooler in nature. Then you need a wash to link the whole area together which defines the shape.

This painting was done on 140 lb cold press Arches watercolor paper, which has evolved into my preferred surface. 

Watercolor Doodle

                                                                            (D) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

Cerulean Blue has been a pigment I have avoided for a while. I like how it granulates and makes a lovely blue sky. However, my cerulean blue, I believe, has become contaminated over time with other pigments in it's well. I really like this blue best on it's own, unmixed. 

These little landscape doodles are great because the pigment flows and there really is no holding back, painting-wise. I like the rich pigmentation and warmth of color. Quinacridone gold has become a must have pigment for my palette. I use it for mixing all kinds of greens such as the ground surface here.

Finally, before I forget, a Happy New Year to everyone! May 2022 become a much better year than 2021.

Local Field

                                                                                       (C) 2021 Dale DiMauro
 

This view was first seen by me in early December on a walk along the West River Trail. A mild, late fall with relatively little snow, provided the inspiration for this picture.

I did some finishing touches on this watercolor from the last post. A foreground wash of raw umber and ultramarine blue provided shadows in contrast to the warm sun across the distant field. The foliage on the edge of the field was also strengthened. 

It felt good to work in my studio from start to finish with relatively few interruptions.

Early December Landscape

                                                                                       (C) 2021 Dale DiMauro

This December I took many walks in the woods because the ground was largely free of ice and snow. That has since changed, but I can't recall spending so much time in the woods or fields so late in the season. I really noticed how long the shadows become late in the day.

It felt great to get back to painting again. December had a lot of work demands and preparation for the holidays which was odd because we didn't really go anywhere - due to CIVID-19.

I just started this watercolor and am largely pleased with my progress. I like the light and warm colors.

Portable Palette

                                                                           (C) 2021 Dale DiMauro
 

Late last Summer I figured I came up with a great idea. Since I prefer to use full pans instead of half-pans which individual pigments sit in, I could combine various pigments together and make my own set. This means I can change my palette whenever I needed to or combine specific colors for whatever reason may come up.

I talked to one of the major art retailers and they said they would special order this empty palette for me. Except with all the supply chain delays it took until this week to receive the empty palette.

Regardless, I am excited to be able to put together my own palette for traveling or painting outside. I like this small size which fits into a small bag and is easy to clean.

Mark-Making & Other Thoughts

                                                                             (C) 2021 Dale DiMauro
 

It is always fun to play with watercolors to see what kind of marks you can make. Along the way your mark-making evolves along with your understanding of your palette and it's mixtures.

This watercolor was done from memory after coming into the house from a local walk on a glorious sunny afternoon. Before the snow arrived, the colors of the landscape were quite lovely with strong warm tones until the shadows move in later in the day.

The edges of your washes are so important in watercolor. Depending on how you want to articulate them you can achieve tremendous variety. Around the body of water above, I feathered in the foliage to make them appear to be in the natural light. I will continue to experiment and see what direction this takes me.

West River Trail

                                                                    (C) 2021 Photograph Dale DiMauro
 

Last Sunday I took a walk on the West River Trail and took this photograph on the way back to my car. Once I took this picture I was certain it was a gem. 

There is something compelling about the fall colors which we underestimate. I don't mean the vivid reds or oranges of a maple tree which definitely are stunning. The warm colors of the earth, the ochres and sienna's let the other colors have the center stage. These colors warm the landscape and make the blues of the water sing.

The shadows projecting from the gate and revealing the contours have a special quality unto themselves. 

Today I had to post this photograph as it had been on my mind for several days. It pays to get outside in the landscape and experience nature and all that it has to offer.

Lifting Paint

                                                                              (C) 2021 Dale DiMauro
 

Recently, I started this watercolor of a local field with a large puddle with reflections in the foreground. Before starting, I pre-stained the entire sheet with quinacridone gold giving the image a warm yellow feel to it.

However, the image looked flat so I have been lifting more color than I ever have from a watercolor. The horizontal bands in the field, along with the surface of the puddle and some of the passages in the foreground, with clumps of vegetation, all are areas I lifted paint.

I am curious and optimistic of the final result. I think there will be depth and variation through techniques I have not really used before. Of course you can repaint areas where paint had been lifted before. 

Used Book

My local library has been having a used book sale. I picked up this book, The Complete Watercolor Book, by Wendon Blake, for two dollars. Not only is this a great book with many tips on making watercolors but it is a hardcover, for again, just two dollars.

Blake has a section on painting seascapes and this composition and coloring caught my eye. It reminds me of the coast of Maine. Also, I like the low horizon line.

I quickly painted this scene, based on a photograph, of his watercolor from the book. I figure it is always a plus to tackle subjects on the edge of one's comfort zone. 

 

Missing A Figure?

                                                                        (C) 2021 Dale DiMauro

This is the kind of composition where a figure would complete the picture. Some color and a strong focal point could seal the deal. 

However, I have learned to appreciate the subtleties of color and their variations, particularly at this time of year. Certain colors express the regional characteristics like no other. A combination of permanent brown and yellow ochre can look strikingly like the woodland edge in November with no further pigmentation.

Now to find a figure to finish this watercolor......
 

Color Swatches

                                                                                        (C)2021 Dale DiMauro
 

In a recent post I mentioned how Charles Reid wrote in his book, Watercolor Basics, that during a down time it is good practice to make color swatches. Your vocabulary of color expands and your brushwork develops too.

Well, lately I have been making many color swatches. I like this swatch in particular. This juicy, light brown was created by mixing permanent brown with quinacridone gold. At this time of year the distant hills when in the sun can acquire this warm, earthy coloring.

It is not so much the color itself that is striking as when it is combined with a red or blue which will make the colors sing.