Sketching at Chapeau Mont Royal
The other day Les Amis de la Montagne invited a few sketchers from our drawing group USK:MTL up to the mountain – to attend their annual benefit luncheon Chapeau Mont Royal.
It’s a fundraiser in support of the famous mountain park that gives our city its name. But also, an opportunity (or maybe a challenge?) for the glitterati of Montreal to come out on a beautiful sunny day and show off their most extravagant party hats!
Why not combine civic duty with a chance to show off your unique fashion sense? That seems like a perfectly Montreal solution to keeping our park a vital center in city life.
These were sketched as the reception line flew by (we knew each guest would have to briefly stop to shake hands with the greeters – a perfect drawing spot for the sketcher-paparazzi). I’m using only a 0.3mm pencil on the moving subjects, jotting written notes as to colors, then painting with watercolor that afternoon.
We did our best to play along with the theme. I even replaced my ubiquitous baseball cap. I mean – the most important thing for me is shading my eyes when drawing. Men’s hats right now are experiencing a shrinking brim situation!
So, thanks to Les Amis – and now that we know the score, maybe we’ll be back next year with some fancy millinery arts of our own :)
Citizen Sketcher 
Love this!! And you all look very polished:)
wow – absolutely LOVE these! I appreciate your sharing your process – it’s very helpful.
The paintings are as beautiful and lively as an actual fashion, runway show. 🎉
I think these are wonderful!
While I truly love your city- and land-scapes, these fast and loose little portraits are my absolute favorites. With the merest suggestion, you are able to evoke such style and flamboyance. I especially like your long-necked brunette with the Mucha-esque hair.
What a fun subject! Cheers, Patricia
Beautiful sketches – quite stunning!
The sketches are great, but the “new look” you are sporting is fab! Especially the hat!
Fresh, fun, terrific!
So vibrant! What palette did you use? Those dark reds almost look like ink…
That would be perlyne maroon probably. Also I make some adjustments at the scanning stage to get the value I’m after. (As these aren’t ‘fine art’ – more like sketch jouranlism for the society pages :)
Oh, and all my colors are listed on the watercolor supplies tab, on the upper right on PC or under the menu on mobile. ~m
Such fun! As usual you caught it all Marc.
Quick portraits trying to capture some essence are the most exhilarating drawing adventures, don’t you agree?
Absolutley! You get into a real zone of pure drawing.
Reblogged this on starlitportraits.
Have taken your Craftsy classes and always amazed at how quickly you can sketch people. I love your use of color-which also shows movement. I agree with the above–love the hat.
Looking rather dapper there, Mr. Holmes…your sketches as well.
Fun and full of energy. Thanks for sharing.