Encampment at McGill University

On the way back I stopped off at the encampment at McGill University. Other than a person here and there it was largely deserted and very quiet. Curious onlookers milled about, had conversations and took a few selfies. A row of tents had been pitched close to the central walkway, behind which there was a long fence with blue tarpaulin identical to what they use in construction. The tarpaulin was adorned with posters, banners and all manner of signage including one with Concordia University written on to it. In the painting all the flags depict the Palestinian flag, although there were other flags there which I did not understand, some pink, some white. I noticed several Irish flags too, and a sign equating Irish struggles with the Palestinian's situation. 

Painting what is essentially a forest scene, a scene of a campground, is a very technical exercise. The key to it was painting decisively and no fussing about. The tree foliage at the top for instance was done in less than 20 seconds, add yellow, add light green, add dark green, add dark red, finish with branches. The rest of it, similarly, was done fast and with no more than two layers of paint. The red tent for example was one layer of light red, a second layer of dark red. Once the greens were filled in, the white highlights really popped and the painting took on some significance.

Encampment at McGill University, watercolour, 8 x 10 cold press, May 2024 (No. 3872)