Sunset on the Main and painting in Old Port

The sun was setting on the Main, which is the local nickname for st Laurent Boulevard. This view would be the beginning of the street, down in Old Montreal. To capture the scene, the cars were outlined, then the building perspectives were established with a paint outline. No pencils or pens are ever used in any of these paintings. Then its a matter of filling in the colours. On location here, a lot of tourists stopped and looked and asked questions. 

Sunset on the Main, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, July 2025

 

This iconic clock tower is at the end of a promenade that runs along the st Lawrence river. The Jacques Cartier bridge is in the background, and the sun was fully set by now creating a variety of colours in the sky. To get the highlights, paper has to be left clean by painting around the spots. That takes a bit of practice and is unique to watercolour. 

Tower bridge sunset, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, July 2025

 

 

With the sun down, the Luzia sign at the Cirque du Soleil was lit up in an ever-changing palette of yellow, red and orange. The scene was composed on a vertical format to create drama and emphasize the height of the circus tents, compared to last time when I composed this scene on a horizontal during the day. The music and cheering crowd could be heard from this spot. 

Luzia sundown, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, July 2025