Painting Moraine Lake- Banff

 

Last week we got back from a fantastic trip to Canada which included a couple of days in Banff, Alberta. One day a minor miracle occurred in which I convinced all three of my kids to draw along with me at Moraine Lake, the often overlooked little brother of Lake Louise.

It must have been the cool but pleasant weather or possibly the stunning scenery which persuaded them, but they never once asked if I was finished yet. I brought enough sketching and painting supplies for all of them to choose something, and that possibly helped make the outing enjoyable as well.

I just got to soak it in and paint for an hour or so, which was great. It didn't hurt that when the boys finished (or got bored), that there was an incredibly turquoise glacier fed lake to skip rocks on.

The ice was still coming off the lake and plenty of snow still clung to the peaks which made the view even more stunning. I broke in my brand new Moleskine watercolor sketchbook using pencil and my portable Cotman watercolor set.

I also broke out a couple or Niji water brushes for the first time and I have to say I was impressed with their functional practicality. My youngest son even requested one for his birthday. Overall a great time at one of the most beautiful places I have seen. I can't wait to make a bigger painting of this view.