Cafe society

Here is another page from my 2014 sketchbook project.

It's fun to combine two favorite pastimes, people watching and sketching while enjoying a break at a restaurant.

Painting Animals in Watercolor

Although this book is now out of print, I just had to share the cover with you. Lian Quan Zhen has such a loose, yet authoritative way of capturing the life and movement of animals and anything else he wants to paint. Fortunately for us, he is willing to generously share his approach and special watercolor techniques. Search the rest of his books on painting with watercolor.

All Perked Up

All Perked Up used to be the name of this coffee stand. I remembered the cute coffee pot shape while reminiscing about those restaurants shaped like milk bottles, teepees, dinosaurs, etc.
It was a fun part of traveling during my childhood.

This coffee stand has changed hands and been repainted. The whole idea of drive through espresso has taken a turn in recent years, too, but that's another subject. :)

Rocky Shoreline sketch

Ruckle Park Sketch
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper

Here's a sketch I did on location with a group of students at my workshop on Salt Spring Island. Timing is everything if you want to get just the right lighting for your rocky shoreline.

The jam that wasn't there

Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Size: 10"x8"
Price: $100

We like it. A lot. Look at it in the light!
Here's what's left of our apricot preserves after Sunday morning breakfast.


Here's the set up in my studio. I needed to get the eye level and light from the window just right, so I stacked up some things until it worked.

Ink line drawing of jar

Here's my contour drawing of the jar. I have a few indications of highlights and apricot preserves, but would rather save the rest of the shapes and use the watercolor wash for some soft, diffused edges.

No preliminary pencil lines were used on the jar. I just started at the lower right edge of the jar with my Micron #.01 pen on Arches 140# CP watercolor paper. Size 8x10"

Sunday painting

Here's a challenge for you. What would you paint? (Spoiler)

Another angle

Big Foot Java

"Big Foot" drive through
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
From the 2014 sketchbook project

They have had these "Big Foot" chain coffee stands around here for quite awhile now. SO very Northwest!
I think the one in my town has taken over two years to finally open. Guess I ought to try it out instead of  just lurk nearby sketching and taking photos from the car! Java!

Coffee Cherries

Coffee Cherries  (7x5")
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper

Are you dying for some color about now? Me, too!
Here's a page from my 2014 Sketchbook Project with more than grey for color.

We've been taking our crisp, cold, blue skies for granted this past week, and now we're suffused with the usual wet, grey winter atmosphere.