While the mayor of New York wants to eliminate the horse-drawn carriages from Central Park, Quebec embraces them.  They are part of our tourist trade and are responsible for relieving tourists from around the world of their money.  They also provide an ambiance that is pretty darn special.

I was excited to learn that one of the members of Le Collectif had arranged for us to get a couple hours to sketch at Caleches Quebec and their stable area.  It was more than a bit cool the morning we met and I wished I’d worn a jacket, but it didn’t dampen my spirits.  There were ten or more of us, sitting in the paddock area, trying to draw the horses who were wandering around in the pasture.  I’d drawn a horse statue before but never horses.  I definitely need more practice.

Stillman & Birn Gamma, Namiki Falcon, De Atramentis Document Black

Poor horses.  Every one of them looked better than I depicted them.  Here’s a couple more partial sketches.

Practice, practice, practice.  Before leaving I decided that I should capture something of the place so I walked out to the entrance and drew the view as you enter the area.  It was a wonderful day but please, don’t tell the horses how poorly I drew them.  I hang out with these guys all summer as we both march around the old city, me sketching and them making tourists happy.

Stillman & Birn Gamma, Namiki Falcon, De Atramentis Document Black