Looking across to Lachine from the narrow sculpture park I saw a lone butterfly, likely a Monarch flitting by. It was the first one I had seen all summer. After painting the sky and water and letting it dry a bit, which happened fast in the sun and strong wind, I painted in the orange butterfly from memory. The composition draws your eye from left to right giving the flying insect a sense of movement.
Butterfly on a windy day, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, September 2024
Less affected by the wind was this giant stone leg, which is one of many that were placed along the first part of the park, facing south. I've rode past these monoliths a hundred times and never wanted to paint them, its the kind of thing you may as well take a picture of and many people do. So its a bit touristy but I knew the weather was going to sour and had to get the paintings in while I could. If you are wondering how it is held up, there is a steel wire cage in the shape of a leg holding the whole thing together which I omitted from the painting. I also edited out the tall trees and the walking path so as to fit it all on the small paper.
Stone leg near river, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, September 2024
The wind was severe here, it was all I could do to stand up and not loose my bike and painting gear. My painting kit on the back of the bike is wind-proof, and I bring elastics to secure the paper to the cardboard support, however, you really have to squeeze things to keep them in place. The river changes colour from turquoise to blue to a caramel or red ochre hue near the shore.
The mixes I usually use are turquoise PG7 + PB15 or PB60, blue PB60 + touch of red ochre PR101 for neutral blue, and PB15 + touch of PR122 for brighter blue. The caramels are combinations of yellow ochre (PY43), red ochre, perylene red (PR179) and orange (PO62 or PO73). Textures are created with the side drag of a semi moist brush.
Wind blast on river, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, September 2024
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