
Michele's NW Studio
Daily Painting Practice to Grow as a Painter
Friday, January 1, 2021
January means New Watercolor Classes

Friday, November 20, 2020
Join Me Live on Periscope Sunday, November 22 at 9:00am PST
๐๐ Hey! It’s been quite some time since we had a chat and a live tutorial on Periscope, hasn’t it?
Join me live on periscope.tv/michelecoopart this Sunday, November 22 at 9:00am for a tutorial on binding and making a cover for your DIY watercolor journal/sketchbook. Just drop in to say hello or play along with this fun and easy craft project.
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I’ve been sketching comfort food with my watercolor class lately and I have to make a cover for my DIY sketchbook. |
If you want to do this along with me, see below for a materials list. You probably have everything you need right there at home.
DIY WATERCOLOR SKETCHBOOK
- 3 or 4 sheets of 140lb watercolor paper (8x10 or up to 11x14)
- an empty cereal box or other recyclable cardboard
- scissors, ruler, pencil, bone folder
- thumb tack or push pin
- yarn/string/waxed binders’ thread, Choose one
- long needle with large eye for the thread, like a darning needle or book binder’s needle
- You can use wrapping paper or fabric big enough to cover the cardboard.
- Elmers glue will work to glue the paper or fabric to the cardboard cover but takes time to dry. Extra strong glue stick is nice. Fabric Tac glue works great but it’s expensive.
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Fall Watercolor Classes Begin Sept 30
Classes are all held live via Zoom.
Zoom is an easy videoconferencing program we’ve chosen in order to create the feeling of being with your instructor and classmates while you’re safe and healthy at home.
What kind of technology do I need? I’m a little nervous!
You can use Zoom with a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera! We promise, it’s easier than it sounds and we’re here to help.
Skagit Valley College
Painting Watercolor class details https://www.campusce.net/skagit/course/course.aspx?catId=26
Painting Watercolor with Michele Cooper, Wednesday 6 - 9pm Live Online
10/7 - 11/11, 2020
If you have taken classes at Skagit Valley College, here is a quick link to register
You may call CouriAnne for more information or to register Call (425) 822-7161
Kirkland Arts Center
Intermediate Watercolor with Michele Cooper, Friday 11:00am to 2:00pm Live Online
10/2 - 11/20, 2020
Contact Ashlie Beach for more information or to register Call (425) 822-7161
Kirkland Arts Center
Introduction to Watercolor Workshop, Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm Live Online
11/21 - 11/22, 2020
Contact Ashlie Beach for more information or to register Call (425) 822-7161
Sunday, August 16, 2020
Make a Pocket Sketchbook for your Travels
Many of my artist friends are taking a little extra free time this summer to make a few road trips. Along with your usual snapshots wouldn’t it be nice to have a pocket sketchbook with you and spend an hour under the shade of a roadside tree sketching the colors of summer?
It’s fun to choose decorative papers to create a theme for each little pocket sketchbook.
At the end I share a flip through of my sketches from Roosengarde in my own DIY pocket sketchbook.
Here’s my YouTube tutorial on how to make one for yourself or as a gift for a friend.
Tomorrow I’m leading an online on location watercolor workshop at another stunning garden. Join us!
Monday, July 13, 2020
Fun with Watercolor on Location at Langus Riverside Park
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Here are my 3 little ATCs from our location at Langus Park. We are collecting these for each of our summer workshops. At the end of the series, we'll have a swap among those who attended. |
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Schedule Updates for Outdoor Online Workshops
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Until it is practical to meet in groups, our workshops will be live online through Zoom |
1. Friday, July 10 (the majority favors pm) 2:30-5:30 pm
Zoom live interactive on location
Zoom live interactive on location
Sunday, July 5, 2020
Register for Summer Watercolor Workshops 2020
Tentative schedule (there is room for adjustment due to weather, unforeseen circumstances or request by participants-i.e. switch from am to pm)
Friday, July 10 pm Wednesday August 5 pm
Tuesday July 21 pm Monday August 17 pm
Wednesday Sept 16 am
- Venmo (@Michele-Cooper-49)
- Cash App ($MicheleLCooper)
- Paypal (https://www.paypal.me/michelec12) Keep in mind PayPal charges a small fee unless you use the "friends" option.
- Check to Michele Cooper
Thursday, July 2, 2020
New 2020 Summer Series of Live Online Watercolor Classes
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I found a lovely spot to paint in a nearby public garden. |
Let’s paint on location this summer. I would love to share a few of my favorite spots with you where we can paint together, apart. As we follow official guidelines toward gradual reopening where we live, let’s share the joys of sketching and painting outdoors. Join me live online every 10 days or so as we explore the season with watercolor.
Live watercolor demo from Michele Cooper
Suitable for ALL levels of painters
Plenty of Q & A
Take advantage of the “mobile studio”
Interact/chat with other attendees
Paint along with me or paint later
Send me a photo of your painting and I will critique and showcase in a special video on YouTube!
- See my Sketching Equipment page for suggested on location equipment.
- Your normal palette of colors (I mainly use, organic vermilion, alizarin crimson, burnt sienna, raw sienna, cerulean blue, cobalt blue, ultramarine blue, aureoline yellow and new gamboge yellow, white paint for highlights). You don't need to use these colors.
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Watch my series on “Flooded Fields” ahead of time for tips on painting on location. |
Mark your calendar for the official month-long celebration of watercolor as World Watercolor Month returns in July! Founded in 2016, this is the 5th anniversary, and so I hope you'll help us spread the word! Psssst... also the souvenir shop is open and the prompts are posted! ;-)
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Wednesday, July 1, 2020
World Watercolor Month Returns!
Mark your calendar for the official month-long celebration of watercolor as World Watercolor Month returns in July! Founded in 2016, this is the 5th anniversary, and so I hope you'll help us spread the word! Psssst... also the souvenir shop is open and the prompts are posted! ;-)
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I’ll share some of my favorite painting spots with you. |
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Come to Online Watercolor class Wednesday, May 20
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The weather has been unpredictable this week, but the studio mannequin is singin' in the rain. He's excited about the new online watercolor class that starts tomorrow evening! |
We're very happy to welcome you to Watercolor Painting from the shoeless classroom tomorrow evening at Skagit Valley College online.
It's not too late to join us! Call, sign up online or email to register:
Update: May 19, 2020
Online watercolor classes have been scheduled at Skagit Valley College
For more details and How to register for SVC Wednesdays please follow this link.
- Dates: 5/20/2020 - 6/24/2020Days: W Times: Arranged
CouriAnne Williams
Continuing & Community Education Director Mount Vernon Campus
Register by phone 360.416.7638
courianne.williams@skagit.edu