Ride along Canal with Sunset

 

It started to cool off enough in the late afternoon yesterday for a bike ride along the Lachine Canal path towards Lachine. This scene was done looking East from a bridge over the canal in Lachine. The sun was almost setting, which created a yellow-orange glow on the trees and grass. The reflection was smooth and cool.

Reflection on Canal at Sunset, watercolour 8 x 10" Strathmore Gemini, August 2022 (No. 3194)

 

Going from NDG to the canal, this is the first of many footbridges. Across this bridge is Senkus street which leads to Park Angrignon. It is a difficult bridge to paint, it has light turquoise paint and a complex shape with lots of detail. I just wanted to try and capture the lights and reflections in the shadows underneath.

Footbridge over Canal (to Park Angrignon), watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, August 2022 (No. 3221a)

 

Here is a typical scene of the bike path next to the canal. Sometimes I include the black fencing, other times I omit it for convenience. The sun was still high, and it was streaming through the trees creating patterns on the path and grass.

Bike Path along Canal, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, August 2022 (No. 3221b)

 

Around the corner was a side-view of the big factory that I painted before. Scenes like this remind us of the industrial past (and present) of the Lachine canal area. Slowly but surely it is being gentrified with luxury condo developments, but there are still plenty of industrial motifs to satisfy this artist.

Big Tree and Factory on Canal, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, August 2022 (No. 3222a)

 

At the fur-trading museum, the sun was low and starting to set. I stood in the shadows beside the building and captured this moment using bright colours and high contrast. The canal actually continues for quite some distance beyond this point. Historically, the canal would have helped the industries bring raw materials to and fro the industrial areas. Prior to the dredging, the river was an impassable rapids and boats had to portage across.

Sunset around the Fur Museum, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, August 2022 (No. 3222b)

 

Just next to Lachine there are a series of connected peninsulas that serve as picnic areas and a marina. This area seems ideal for viewing the sunset. A small bay had collected lily pads which created a contrast on the shimmering water. With high humidity, the sky took on an array of peach, pink, lemon and streaks of powder blue.

Sunset on the River, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, August 2022  (No. 3195)