Last day of winter
Posted: March 19, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Hudson, railway crossing, watercolour, winter, winter scene 11 CommentsYou don’t need many colours to paint on a dull day like today. From Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Red and Hansa Yellow I was able to mix the soft grey of the sky, the dark grey of the road, the muted grey of the distant trees and the warm neutral of the bollards. The snow was falling quite heavily at times which required a few brief moments of turning the wipers on, but it was worth it to be out there, capturing this last-day-of-winter scene. Painted from my car studio, on a pad of Arches CP paper, 10″ x 14″.
Race committee boat
Posted: July 22, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: boat painting, Hudson, hudson yacht club, sailboats 18 CommentsIt was my lucky day today. My friend Michele extended an invitation to paint with her at the Hudson Yacht Club, and I was free. We made the most of this perfect — and near windless — morning by setting up in the shade with a view of the race committee boat and its companions. I could have done an entirely different painting from the same spot: a gaggle of geese feeding on the lawn and then descending, single file, down the boat launch and into the water for a swim. Maybe the geese will be next time.
Chez Sauvé
Posted: May 24, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: architecture, Hudson, sketchbook, urban sketch, watercolour 29 CommentsIf you want to get a good sketchable view of Casse-croûte Chez Sauvé, go on a Monday or Tuesday when it’s closed. During the rest of the week there’s a constant stream of cars parking in front of it, and you won’t be able to see the small building from across the street.
I’ve been wanting to sketch this Hudson institution for years, but it’s only now that I live nearby that I’ve been able to get here on the right day of the week. At lunchtime during spring and summer, it’s packed outside with people eating hot dogs and fries, which makes it perfect for people sketching, but if you want to sketch the classic snack bar exterior, then you need to go when it’s quiet. Because it’s on Main Road in Hudson, people still park in front of it, but luckily most everyone who saw the sketcher across the street moved their vehicles. The kindest one was the school bus driver who moved his big orange bus when he saw me, and then came over to see my sketch and chat. Hudson is a very friendly place, as I am finding out.
These are a few of my favourite things
Posted: May 15, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Hudson, sketchbook, spring, street scene, urban sketch, watercolour 31 CommentsIt’s finally warm enough (and I am home long enough) to sketch outside. That’s a reason to celebrate. I’m still discovering new places to draw, and of course trying to find places that look like my old favourites. The village of Hudson reminds me so much of Pointe Claire, especially now that it’s spring and the main street is getting busy again.
Today I ordered coffee from Furley’s Bakery and sat outside on their terrace to draw the view down Main. I felt SO rusty so I started with something I feel comfortable with: the bins and the utility pole! My drawing grew organically from there. The tree was next, then the yellow picket fence, a bit of the building, the awnings, etc. It made me so happy to be outside, to be looking at the things I love to draw and to watch people going by.
There’s plenty to draw in Hudson, including lots of charming buildings, a lakeshore and even a boat club. I’ll happily be discovering it all with my sketchbook this spring and summer.
