Schedule Updates for Outdoor Online Workshops

Until it is practical to meet in groups, our workshops will be live online through Zoom

This summer I am sharing some of my favorite outdoor painting spots through a series of 5 watercolor workshops. Check here for updates on Location and start times for our live online interactive summer sessions.

Registered students will receive a private video of the scene the evening before the workshop. This will help you get familiar with some of the subjects available, ambient sounds, etc.

Register for workshops 

Tentative schedule (there is room for adjustment due to weather, unforeseen circumstances or request by participants-i.e. switch from am to pm) Updates will be published here on my blog, Facebook Art Page and Instagram linktr.ee/michelecooperart 

1. Friday, July 10 (the majority favors pm) 2:30-5:30 pm

Location: River reflections, trees, mixing greens, kayaks in action, basic composition on location

Zoom live interactive on location 

2. Tuesday July 21 -- 2:30-5:30 pm

Location: Coastal scene, embankments, inlets, wildflowers, meadows and marshland, clouds, driftwood beach, foreground composition on location

Zoom live interactive on location

3. Wednesday August 5 — 2:30-5:30 pm

Location: Picturesque vintage harbor, tidal estuary. Options include boats moored in the marina, wildlife in the estuary, boardwalk, old harbor and buildings, dry dock and along Union Slough leading out to Gardner Bay.

Zoom live interactive on location 

4. Monday August 17 (9:30am-12:30pm) has been switched to (9:30am-12:30pm) because of weather watch for extreme heat (TBD by registered members of the class)

Choose Dates

#4 Aug 17, 2020 $45.00 USD #5 Sept 16, 2020 $45.00 USD Both Aug 17/Sept 16, 2020 $90.00 USD

Location: A secluded area in a public garden. 

Options include mass plantings of perennial flowering shrubs, ancient trees, an English garden complete with phone box garden seat, fishing pond with lilies, a cool shaded creek with small wooden bridge, drought plantings, vegetable garden, children's garden and more.

Zoom live interactive on location 

 

5. Wednesday Sept 16 (2:30-5:30pm)

Location:  Rural scenery

Options include: barns, fields, farm equipment, animals, winding country roads, early fall color

Zoom live interactive on location 

 

I am flexible on the start time for classes. Initially I plan am classes from 9:30-12:30   and  pm classes from 2:30-5:30. This takes advantage of the light conditions in summer. Please let me know your preference.

I don’t expect especially large attendance, so we can check in the day before and see how it goes with the weather and the group. It really will be like a small group of friends planning a pai9nt outing for the day.

 

Choose Dates

#4 Aug 17, 2020 $45.00 USD #5 Sept 16, 2020 $45.00 USD Both Aug 17/Sept 16, 2020 $90.00 USD

Tiny Travel Palette DIY with Altoids Mini

For the next week, I will post my array of mini, compact and travel plein air set ups, from the tiniest to the biggest.

Make a mini pocket palette with

• a tiny Altoids smalls tin,
• Sculpey Oven Bake Clay
• Wisp
• plastic deli lid
• self stick magnetic strips.

Cover the interior of the box with a thin (about 3mm or 1/4") layer of Sculpey or Fimo. Once you've covered the interior of the box with Sculpey, split it in 6 equal parts using strips of Sculpey. I started by laying a strip lengthwise in the middle of the tin, separating the interior in 2 long compartments. Then, I put four equally-spaced squares of clay to split each half-tray in 3.

Once you're done, you should have 6 compartments of roughly equal size. Use the Wisp to carve and smooth out any sections too small for your fingers. A crochet hook can be used as well. I baked this in the oven at 275 degrees F for 17 minutes. Thinner clay takes a little less time.

After it cooled off, I cut a thick plastic deli lid to fit inside the Altoids lid. I attached it with self-stick magnetic strips. It makes a nice mixing area for my paint and is removable for cleaning or replacement. (You could spray the inside of the lid with white enamel for a similar effect.)

Fill each of the empty sections from tubes of artist's quality watercolor. I used a warm and cool of each of the three primary colors.

Top Row: Permanent Yellow Deep, Vermilion, Manganese Blue

Second Row: Winsor Yellow, Crimson Red Lake, Ultramarine Blue Deep

Tip: Stir freshly squeezed color with a toothpick to make sure it is evenly distributed. Fill each well in two stages, halfway to start. Allow paints to dry with the lid open overnight before topping up and/or transporting.

You can use empty or purchased half pans with self adhesive magnet tape attached on the bottom to hold them in place. However, I prefer the extra width the Sculpey provides so that the adjacent colors don't mix together so easily.
Update: Scroll down my list of broadcasts for a replay of my live demonstration on Periscope.tv/michelecoopart