Climbing Mountains and New YouTube Demonstration

Day 9 of World Watercolor Month
The prompt for today is climbing mountains. I think this phrase fits both metaphorically and realistically because it seems like you’re climbing a mountain sometimes while trying to develop your watercolor skills doesn’t it?

After our sketching session we looked over the results.

A whole group of us climbed to the outlook past Buster Brown field during my recent Watercolor Nature Journal Workshop at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center. Along with the demonstration and my sketch of Rita already on the page, I added another little vignette showing the view below. I managed to indicate the bridge across the distant edge of the lake.

New Watercolor Demo on YouTube

I’m also using this sketch to fit the prompt of “shapes and colors” for day 9 of the FireflyWatercolor Challenge. The idea of the challenges sparked my creative  muse. I had just visited the North Cascades National Park and wanted to do something about that rather than a beach scene. (saving that for later, though). I concentrated on interlocking the mountains, lake and surrounding forest shapes in the composition and distinguishing them in atmospheric perspective through color.

If you would like to see a video demonstration of my process please visit my YouTube channel here. Give me a thumbs up if you like it!

After recording and uploading the video, I looked at the sketch with critical eyes and decided to develop the lower left c orner a bit more. See tomorrow's post.

Arrival for a three day workshop on Nature Journaling in the NorthCascades

I'm looking forward to meeting my students for a weekend of sketching in the North Cascades.

The bridge across Diablo Dam

During the workshop, my focus will be on my students. When I have time I will draft a few articles, but I'll be posting these after we return.

The back of our classroom as seen from the surrounding path

The beautiful bronze eagles that overlook the amphitheater.

Part of the discovery at North Cascades Environmental Learning Center is the sighting of beautiful wildlife bronzes throughout the property.

Finished another 2-page spread in my Nature Journal on Periscope

I finally finished another two page spread in my nature journal from the Summer Watercolors in the North Cascades workshop that I taught June 16-18. I was hoping to visit a little with any of the participants who might drop in while I broadcast the demonstration of the deer and hummingbird. See the Flickr album here.

This time I used my iPhone and could see if people were logging on as well as any comments while broadcasting. Here's the finished two page spread after adding some narrative to the live demonstration on Periscope today.

The following photos show each stage of development that lead up to the final result.

The additional watercolors and a few headlines on today's periscope.tv/michelecoopart 

I added pencil sketches of the deer to my 9 minute scope from last Wednesday. 

The page began with details about weather and a quick sketch before lunch of all the tech involved to get my presentation up and running. The presentation turned out great. And right on time!

Post Workshop Studio

This morning in the studio I face the aftermath of a weekend in the mountains teaching a nature journaling workshop. We had a great time together making our own journals from the cover to the watercolor sketches and personal notes inside. See my new scarf hanging over the back of my chair? It's printed with a hand painted map of the North Cascades National Park. What a perfect souvenir!

Stay tuned for lots of photos here on my blog and in our Watercolor Workshop Flickr album as well as through the North Cascades Institute and Learning Center social media. Okay, so now back to unpacking!

Check back often as I have more of my sketches to add and will be adding photos that come in from students. I trust they will be sending finished pages from their journals and action shots they took along the way. I hope those who saw the bear captured it on their camera. Workshop students should ask for the private journal link for more than what the public sees in this Flickr Album.

Inktober Day 7 and 8

Day 7-Lost
Looking out the back door of our cabin and a sunbreak across the path reminded me that not all those who wander are lost.

Day 8-Rock
All the buildings at the North Cascades Institute are beautifully integrated into the landscape. Our front door had this huge rock for a natural privacy screen!

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.

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)