Painting outdoors brings about many challenges such as cold, precipitation, and corona virus. So I dressed really warm, wore a mask, and stayed away from people! The extra benefit of the mask is that it keeps the face warm and protects from windchill. The wind was actually coming over my back from roughly the north when I did this painting, a small outcropping of concrete/stone breakwater offered some protection. I made the mistake of adding too much moisture in the river and it never really dried. But I got in enough of the detail I think.
St. Lawrence River, Lachine Park Point 5 x 7" cold press, watercolour December 2020
The weather was deteriorating into a light sleet with nasty windchill. I found a place to sit under a copse of huge cedar trees which broke the wind and sleet a little bit. I was looking east towards the point of Lachine Park, on the left is St. Lawrence river, the walking path and the bike path. On the right is the shore line of Dorval. After having problems finishing the first painting, I adjusted my approach for this one. I started with a carbon black outline to establish the main shapes and shadows, then worked in the blocks of colour and some details like the branches and lamp posts.
Lachine Park, Under the Cedar Trees 8 x 10" cold press, watercolour December 2020
I was riding the bike towards home, when I just decided to turn onto Ranger Park where I found a row of juniper trees to sit under with a view of Honoré Mercier Bridge. This painting looked fantastic when I was nearly done but small pellets of hail had landed on the picture. When I took it out at home it acquired a mottled appearance. At least you can get the full experience of being there, hail and all! I also grabbed some juniper berries to make hot tea at home.
Ranger Park under the Juniper Trees, Honoré Mercier Bridge 5 x 7" cold press, watercolour December 2020
They all reflect the weather of that time. It was a beautiful day for art, and the paints look fantastic. But I was okay at home. Lol
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