Yesterday's "class portrait"--Autumn Leaves

We filled a whole table top with autumn leaves at my Intro to Watercolor II workshop at Kirkland Arts Center yesterday. 

We had so much fun, one more workshop has been added for 2013. It's called a "Pop Up" workshop, somewhat on the order of "pop up restaurants". It's not on the regular catalog, but if we have a minimum enrollment, we can do it. It would be held on Sunday, Dec 1, 2013 from 10-4 at Kirkland Arts Center.

Designed for absolute beginners, no previous experience necessary, all materials provided.

Want to come? Please email me: michele at michelecooper dot com for more information, price, etc.

See previous workshop description here.

Choosing a Still Life Composition

 With my one little red plum, I started investigating the possibilities of composition.

I already painted it whole, so I cut it in half. No turning back now!

Each half is different: with and without the pit still in. The hollow half shows a different set of shadows inside. I could choose a variety of viewpoints....looking from above or different side angles. One way, it would show both the inside and outside of the plum.

Turn it this way and that, shine the light just so, and soon I realize how much like a jewel this little red fruit could appear.

"Flooded Fields 2" - The Foreground

Here's the second of 3 installments of my new watercolor demonstration video, "Flooded Fields". Please let me know what you think. Once you watch it, don't forget to give it a thumbs up if you "like" it. Thanks for watching Part 1 and for your kind words and comments.

Tomorrow, I will post Part 3.

Free Watercolor Video Lesson

Iris Fields
5x7" Original Watercolor
by Michele Cooper

Foregrounds and value studies seem to be two of the most challenging aspects of painting a watercolor landscape.

This subject was covered in one of my recent classes, but I wanted to connect those two aspects to a finished example. So several days later, long nights and editing out lawnmower sounds and a tiny spider descending into frame from my skylight............and......Voilà! I have one more YouTube demonstration to add to my channel!

You can watch it right here on my blog or click the little rectangle to the right of the YouTube logo in the lower right corner of the video to see full screen here or on YouTube. Let me know what you think, okay?

Sketchbook Fold-Out with Apple

Two 5x7" sections showing
with 4" journal tab

Since this sketchbook journal was made accordion style, it's fun to see what you get when pages are folded out at random.

Free Watercolor Lesson

Original watercolors by Michele Cooper.

Two examples of tulip fields, using the principles of gradation and alternation with reference photo.

For those who are curious about what goes on in my watercolor classes, here is an excerpt from a recent session, with visual aids, demonstrations and sample assignments.

Using Walnut Ink or Liquid Pencil, study lights and darks of your subject.

Select one of your reference photos or sketches. Make one or two eighth sheet watercolor sketches to work out the composition, then use the sketch to make a larger painting.

Have fun, all you Sunday painters!