After painting in and around the Westhaven neighborhood, I was heading back to NDG when I saw this incredible scene of a bunch of signs, Montreal style, at the train crossing. My first thought was 'don't you dare try and paint this scene', but I succumb to my worst instincts and set up the bike and started painting. I figured, if I am going to paint this scene, I had better paint every single sign in it. Behind me and to the right were the dumpsters I have periodically painted, but today, with the heat, they were emanating a dreadful smell. Not to mention, the sun was beaming down from the left on a hot and muggy day. Pressing on, I outlined each sign with the small #2 brush, then filled in the various colours... yellow, orange, grey, red, followed by some detailing and textures. It is intimidating, when you see the pedestrian crossing sign at the top, then all the confusing warnings regarding the train tracks. As usual I embellished the orange signs, making the arrows go in all directions. In this way, you get the true feeling of being in Montreal. I call that shade of orange 'Montreal orange' it is a blend of pyrol orange (PO73) and benzi orange (PO62). With rain in the forecast, I might do some more 'Curio Folio' paintings, I have several topics of curiosity to share with you soon.
Train crossing signs, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, July 2025
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