Brattleboro Common(Plein air)

                                                                              (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

From time to time there is a watercolor that needs a little tweaking before I would consider it a finished painting. Of course, signing a painting, usually in one of the lower corners is one of the final stages of a painting.

In this picture, the central tree, had a rather undefined large trunk which seemed out of proportion with the overall vegetation. I resorted to thinning the trunk by pushing it back with a cool blue so that it is more in the shadow. This led me to add some cool-toned branches to make the trees more convincing.

I like the warm overall tone of the light in this watercolor. In addition, I am pleased with the coloring and brush work in this picture. It must be noted that this was painted ninety-five percent outside at a picnic table where the light and elements are continually changing.

Standing Desk

                                                                                       (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Before it got cold outside and started snowing I committed myself to using up some of the wood laying around the garage. Most of the wood is left over from past projects. And most of it is pine. 

This is my most recent construction - a standing table for my laptop. The table top is made of cedar and has a nice feel to it. This project gave me the opportunity to practice using my various edge routers with two different-sized round over bits.

Like most people I sit too much when I am at the computer so this gives me the opportunity to become a little more mobile. I can move this from room to room depending on the season and demands of the work. When using this height(of desk) I am more inclined to stretch periodically and walk down my hallway for frequent breaks.

While this is not a watercolor it makes me think about my watercolor painting. In particular, I have been pondering what the next painting shall be. 

The West River(VT)

                                                                                       (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

It feels good to get back to painting. For several weeks I have been preparing the property and myself for winter. Also, I created some Christmas gifts out of pine left over from past projects. I even built a standing desk to sit my laptop on.

In this watercolor I was eager to mix new grays for the shadows on the water. Recently, I came upon the combination of cadmium red and winsor blue which makes a lovely gray.

The quietness of this landscape I find compelling. They say this time of year is about stillness and reflection. I found those qualities in abundance in this scene.

Test Sheet

                                                                            (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

In the past I have written about using a test sheet to find out if your color mixing approximates what you intend on applying to your watercolor painting. Most of those comments referenced painting in the studio.

However, I use this mixed media book(4" x 6") when I am painting out in the field. This hardcover book, I find, handles watercolor quite well and is put out by the Bee Paper Company.  The paper dries quickly which is a benefit when paining in plein air. The colors seem to remain fairly vibrant, too.

This book is great for testing out brushstrokes as well as painting small landscapes in a direct manner.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

                                         (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro

 

Southern Vermont went to sleep in the midst of a snowstorm last night. It was a bit jarring to shovel heavy wet snow in the morning. The seasons really changed last night. Now the boots, gloves, hats and ice scrapers have come out, too.

I like these quick little watercolor washes with lively colors. Sometimes so little can say so much. Leaving the white of the paper can be quite expressive.

Thanksgiving to all. We have a lot to be grateful for. Good food, family and peace for the most part.

Arches Travel Journal

                                                                                       (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Painting outside is becoming a challenge at this time of year. The light is getting weaker and the colors have become more muted. However, painting outside or even inside through a window, I find, makes me notice seasonal changes, I would not pick-up on otherwise.

I am enjoying my Arches travel journal(6" x 10"). It enables me paint in a cafe or at a local library on the go. This is particularly important as the days have gotten shorter and colder. Arches watercolor paper is one of my preferred surfaces to paint on. Also, I like the Masters Choice watercolor paper which has an interesting bead or texture once the paper has pigment on it.

For many years this Arches travel journal was not available. At first I tested pigment combinations in these small bound booklets. Before long I was painting landscapes which incorporated these new color mixes. Also, I use these booklets as a warm-up for brushstrokes before starting to paint in earnest.

Cloud Study

                                                                             (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Since my last post I have further developed this painting. The pigments I have been using for the sky include cobalt blue, raw sienna and ultramarine blue.

I felt like I had to add the landscape to give it context. With the sky so dominant the land might become secondary so I added a river to draw your eye into the scene.

I am enjoying these cloud studies and am hopeful that they will diversify and improve my landscape paintings.

Cloud Study

                                                                                (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

John Constable(1776 - 1837) is an English landscape painter well known for painting skies. He is said to have revolutionized the genre of landscape painting with his 'romantic' settings. I thought of Constable after I started working on this watercolor.

This painting started out as a cloud study and is turning into a landscape painting. If I don't think favorable of a watercolor I painted - I turn it over and paint cloud studies. I think this practice is improving and diversifying my painting of skies. Regardless of their outcome, painting clouds can be a challenge for any landscape painter.

The sky does not have to be the focal point in a composition but in certain situations it dominates the picture. However, the sky can be so varied from one minute to the next that it adds great value to my landscape painting if I can capture some aspect of the existing cloud patterns.

The Brattleboro Common

                                                                            C) 2023 Dale DiMauro

The Brattleboro Common is a great setting for plein air painting. It has many focal points, a sense of history and various seating options. I come back again and again to paint with a different perspective each time. You really don't need many paint supplies to get going at this location.

This plein air watercolor was done several years ago. Every time I see it, it stops me in my tracks. For me it has a magical quality - abstract with a frozen stillness. In addition, I like the washes in this particular picture. Also, the composition seems timeless with the curving path into the horizon at the junction of a tree trunk.

At times you can say so much with so little. I am referring to a limited palette.

Watercolor Study

                                                                               (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Landscape painting is such a joy for me. Whether it is realism or an imaginary landscape the process is fulfilling.

I have learned to love mixing watercolor pigments. Even if I have a small window to paint in - it is a great opportunity to put something down on paper. That way you can keep evolving as an artist.

In this little sketch I love the paint combinations. Also, I love the negative space where there is no paint. Through practice I have learned to appreciate the importance of leaving the white of the paper unpainted where possible.

Watercolor Study

                                                                             (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Painting skies can be a challenge particularly when it comes to various cloud formations. However, I am willing to tackle any sky that I experience. This was experienced in Brattleboro, VT during late summer.

This watercolor study was done in one sitting. The sky dominates the landscape and thus draws attention to the dramatic clouds. Many other skies do not dominate the landscape requiring less attention.

Another factor in painting a sky is which pigments to use. In this picture I used raw sienna and raw umber at the base of the clouds and cerulean blue elsewhere. I still am experimenting with which colors to employ and when.

Warm-up Sketch

                                                                           (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

It is a good practice to do a warm-up sketch in watercolor. This way you can practice some brush strokes before getting serious about your painting. Also, I find my relationship with the paper is constantly changing. I see things I didn't notice before or a different approach may emerge which makes a lot of sense.

This practice gets me inspired to paint while calming me down at the same time. Basically, it is a form of meditation which has my utmost attention.

This watercolor is an imaginary landscape. However, it has all the elements of landscape painting. It has a sky, land and water. It even has a tree so I am loosened up and ready to paint in earnest.

Cadillac Mountain(Bar Harbor, Maine)

                                                                         (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine certainly is a beautiful place to visit. However, I have lost interest in the quantity of people swarming the island in the summer. In addition, there are parking meters everywhere now, which makes it difficult to find a place to park.

On the other hand I love the landscape with all it's variety and textures. The rock formations weathered by years of exposure to water has endlessly fascinating patterns and markings which draw my attention.

These are some of the characteristics which inspire me to paint the landscape. I started this watercolor without any preliminary drawing - just started painting from the start. 

Several years ago with family we had  driven up Cadillac Mountain and I took some photographs as people do. I have looked at these photos from time to time and considered painting some landscapes.

I see these as studies for a larger landscape, one that can draw you into the picture. 

Watercolor Sketch

                                                                                       (C)2023 Dale DiMauro
 

With what seems like a sudden change of season which of course it is - I have had my painting routine interrupted preparing for the colder weather. So it was rewarding to paint a little landscape in my Arches Travel Journal.

I am excited that Arches has returned to market their Arches Travel Journal. Years ago I had purchased several and then they no longer were available for purchase. It is hard to find good quality watercolor paper in a book form.

In the Winter months these journals are great to take when traveling or even to a local cafe to capture people or for little landscapes.

Land & Sky

                                                                  (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

The beautiful fall weather has been a relief from the humid, wet summer. However, the vibrant fall colors are yet to be found here in southern Vermont.

All the landscape elements in this watercolor are well defined. I like the clear colors in the watercolor. They provide a clean and clear quality to the overall character of this scene.

Capturing the qualities of the above canopy is always a challenge. How much of the foliage should you include and how dark to make them? Lately, I have been experimenting with sepia and sap green for my canopy colors. What do you think?

Color Saturation

                                                                           (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Color is a powerful thing. It can make a painting look hyper-realistic, artificial or gaudy. On the other hand it can make a painting come alive.

Recently, I was doing work outside in southern Vermont when I experienced this late day sun which made this field come to life. I grabbed my camera and took a picture as this light was going to change rapidly.

I put many washes down on my painting as the color saturation was so rich to emulate.

The photograph does not do justice to the richness of color in the watercolor.

Fall Falls on the Local Landscape

                                                                              (C)2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Time seems precious at this time of year as the leaves fall off the tree before you know it. Also, the length of day fades fast. Yet we have had some beautiful days lately and I feel obligated to get outside and paint.

Local fields are as favorite source of inspiration for me to paint. Much of it can be attributed to the light and shadows of this time of year.

In this watercolor I like curve of the woodland edge on the upper right. A few days ago it seemed incomplete and artificial so I tweaked the contour of the field, added darks and increased the height of the trees.

This was painted on 140lb coldpress Arches watercolor paper. I have always enjoyed painting on their watercolor blocks as they are portable and tight as a drum.

Watercolor in sketchbook

                                                                                       (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

Landscape painting is rewarding no matter the season or subject matter. Along the way my brushwork continues to improve. I am less hesitant over time and can achieve more with less brushstrokes. 

This picture is more a result of practicing my brushstrokes as a way of limbering up before I start painting in earnest. It is exciting when the paint runs a bit as the colors blend with each other unifying areas of the painting.

I am forever finding new pigment combinations and then experimenting with them. While painting this watercolor rapidly I kept thinking about this other combination: quinacridone gold and Winsor violet. I learned this paint combination makes a lovely neutral and am eager to put it to use.

The Brattleboro Common(Plein air)

                                                                             (C) 2023 Dale DiMauro
 

In southern Vermont we certainly have had lovely weather lately. It's refreshing after a summer of high humidity, rain and poor air quality. This has fueled me to get outside and paint when possible.

I don't usually paint outside in the early morning but on Monday I did. Often my plein air painting happens in the late afternoon. At this time of year, with the morning light and fog, the landscape is quite captivating. I don't know if this photograph captured the colors but they are quite rich and varied.

The view here is looking toward the Retreat Meadows from the Brattleboro Common with a little spit of water in the distance. This was done in one sitting from the seat of a picnic table. As I painted this watercolor I began to notice the color change of the deciduous trees before my eyes.

My Favorite Local Field

                                                                       (2023) Photograph Dale DiMauro
 

In all my travels this year I come back again and again to this local field. There is such drama in the vast open space of this field. The color change in fall, verdant green growth in spring and snow in winter all play out to such great effect in this field.

Today, a farmer was cutting down the corn stalks with his tractor. He looked very small in relation to the space. However, I like to observe whatever changes occur when I pass by whether it is birds flittering in the distance or changing shadows across the landscape.

These ephereal effects are the very thing watercolor is great at capturing. The ever-changing atmospheric qualities such as mist rising off the cornfield really capture one's attention when we are observant and tuned into the seasons.