Is it InkTober yet?

In 2009, Illustrator Jake Parker set out on a mission to refine his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. For the month of October, Jake challenged himself to create a drawing every day using only ink-based products. This has grown to become a worldwide phenomenon. Follow the link for more information. 

I'm doing this for the third year in a row this year.
Anyone can do InkTober, just pick up a pen and start drawing.

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The Official 2016 Inktober Prompt List:

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Inktober rules:

1) Make a drawing in ink (you can do a pencil under-drawing if you want).

2) Post it online

3) Hashtag it with #inktober and #inktober2016

4) Repeat

Note: you can do it daily, or go the half-marathon route and post every other day, or just do the 5K and post once a week. What ever you decide, just be consistent with it. INKtober is about growing and improving and forming positive habits, so the more you’re consistent the better.

That's it! Now go make something beautiful.

Periscope demo today

It's always fun sharing a little time in the studio with creatives from Seattle to Switzerland. Thanks for watching! Watch the replay here. 

Inspired by a scene in the Scottish Highlands. 

North Cascades Fall Getaway Workshop Announcement

Watercolor a single leaf or an entire hillside of autumn colors!

I am pleased to announce an art adventure opportunity for those who love the outdoors, the Pacific NW, and sketching and painting in watercolor. On Oct 7-9, I will lead a watercolor class on Fall Color, Trees & Mountain Atmosphere at the North Cascades Institute's Environmental Learning Center on Diablo Lake. It's 2 nights, three days of overnight "learning and lodging."

 We have an indoor classroom as well as the beautiful outdoor studio of the great North Cascades.

Institute naturalists will share the natural history of the many species of conifers in the North Cascades as you learn to record your impressions in watercolor and ink. Experiment with lush autumn colors and unconventional tools like twigs and corsage pins!
See more details here, listed in Learning Center Programs under Autumn Flora and Conifers.

No matter what the weather, the North Cascades provide inspiring views in any season. Here are a few of my quick sketches from a summer hike. Artwork by Michele Cooper

Celebrating 30 Years of Connecting People, Nature & Community!

Named a "Top Three Spots in the North Cascades" by The Seattle Times and "Top Ten Great Getaways" by ParentMap Magazine, the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center is a hub of discovery for all ages in one of the wildest, most biologically diverse landscapes in North America. Operated by North Cascades Institute in partnership with the National Park Service and the City of Seattle, this award-winning residential campus is nestled on the shores of Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park Service Complex.

Everything but the kitchen sink

They say if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I say if the ink spills, grab your dip pen and make a sketch.

I used every thing at my disposal. 

It's Freecode, not Freelode

On my live periscope today, I opened up some art materials mail. And in one of the packages was a lovely shiny new red fountain pen which said Freelode on the box. (After the broadcast, I looked it up and I guess the company name is Freecode.)

Now doesn't that label look like it says "Freelode" to you?

Anyway, I figured out how to take it apart still further, and Voila!, the ink adapter worked like a charm!

Periscope Broadcast Live on Thursday

I got a bunch of orders back from Amazon and can't wait to share them with you. Come on over to my live broadcast Thursday afternoon for some surprises and experiments in watercolor!

Probably will do this around 2:30 or 3:00 unless art interrupts life!
Watch on periscope/michelecoopart 

Faux leather roll up case for watercolor sketch kit

 

Thinking of going on a nature walk in the crisp fall air or the shady forest canopy in summer? Why not take your watercolor sketch kit along?

This faux leather roll up case will hold:

• A waterbrush that carries its own water in the handle
• A disposable fountain pen with water soluble ink
• A wee four color DIY watercolor set in a mint tin
• A #2 mechanical pencil,  .7 mm
• A Sharpie waterproof  fine point grip pen
• A folded blue paper shop towel

*Travel kits available only for registered students at the October 7,8 and 9  North Cascades Fall Getaway Workshop  and the June 16, 17 and 18th North Cascades Summer Workshop. Not available through mail order. I will deliver your order at the workshop on the first day.
Please contact me to order.

*Travel Kit Options

1. Basic Kit includes: 1 canvas or faux leather roll up case, 1  #2 mechanical pencil, .7 mm, and 1 Sharpie waterproof fine point grip pen
2. Basic Kit plus one handmade 4-color watercolor tin
3. Basic Kit, 4-color watercolor tin, plus one disposable fountain pen (water soluble ink)

*Important: Any other items in the photo are display only and not included.(i.e. Leaves, water brush, easel)

Summer Workshop Photos

It's been the busiest summer I've had in a long time! I'm finally able to begin catching up on correspondence and share a few of my art adventures with you.

Here's an overview of a day at one of my Urban Sketching Workshops at Skagit Valley College this summer. What a great day we had, sketching out there together! 

Class Schedule: Day 1, Saturday 

Intro, handouts

2 take home sketchbooks, fold and cut

Practice sketching indoors, outside on campus

11:05 bus to Skagit Station-sketching on bus

Walk to Tri-Dee (use mid-day break to pick up any materials you might need)

Group Photo taken next to the mural at Tri-Dee

Farmers Market Lunch and Demo 12:00-1:30

Class paint until 2:30

Share sketchbooks

Ink wash demo 

Return bus sketching 

Share sketchbooks