The region of Charlevoix is a destination for outdoor painters. Canadian landscape painters, Charles Gagnon (1881-1942), James Wilson Morrice (1865- 1924), A.Y. Jackson(1882-1974), Bruno Côte (1940-2010) to name only a few, have painted here.
For us this year, no snow storm, freezing rain or bone chilling winds to hinder us. The morning is warm and sunny, we stop to visit at “Le Forgeron ” which is located half way up the hillside overlooking the village of Saint-Irénée. We are welcomed with an offer of coffee, parking for the day and a panoramic view of the village and St. Lawrence River. Kindness of this sort is greatly appreciated.
St.Irénée, watercolour, 2017
By the afternoon the weather is holding with sun and a clear vista. I decided to drive to the village of Saint-Joseph-de-Rive and then sketched the row of houses on the northside of the railway tracks.
Houses on the north side of the tracks, watercolour, 2017
However, the following day rain and fog are threatening but hold off for the morning. Just enough sketching time in the village of Baie Saint Paul.
Ice Jam in the Bay, watercolour, 2017
Western Skyline, Baie Saint Paul, watercolour
On our final day we travelled north to Saint-Hilarion and Le Pied-des-Mont. We settled on the hill looking down on Ferme Caprivoix. We see the snow showers in the distance moving slowly in our direction, so time to paint.
Ferme Caprivoix, watercolour, 2017
My friend and wholesale supplier of Caran d’arch water brushes presented me with a new tool for sketching. This water brush pen has a 15ml fibre brush and a 20ml reservoir. It is a practical tool with the reservoir providing enough water from the pump to pool on the paper before adding pigments or alternatively squeezing the tip and then dipping in pigment to draw fine lines. Another good addition for minimal equipment when you need to travel light.
Village House, Les Eboulements, watercolour, 2017
If you visit the area ” a must see “is Les Jardins de Quatre-Vents, Malbaie ( tickets sold out for summer 2017). A documentary, The Gardener, 2016 by Sebastien Chabot is available for viewing this summer throughout Quebec and Canada. A wonderful film about a world class garden, right in our back yard.
You can follow Sebastien Chabot on Facebook for up to date information on the film.
Sculpt in Charlevoix , August 27, 2017 from noon, Domaine Forget, Saint Irénée, Sculpture Garden, Free, families welcome.
Show up and try this art form.
Quebec has so much beauty and character available to you for sketching and painting, along with the history and old architecture. Very much enjoyed this blog and of course, your art
Roberta, it is time to visit Quebec. Something for Joe..chez Bouquet eco-bistro lots of choice on menu from Ferme Caprivoix.
Interesting production of watercolors from yours in Charlevoix, a place I should also go to paint some day!
Yes you need to paint here, enjoy the local food and beer. It is not France but a wonderful destination with the value of the euro to our Canadian dollar.