Painting the last of the Autumn Leaves

Here are the amazing leaves that my students painted in class today.

Congratulations, Margo L!

Not only did Margo's concentrated effort yield great results with her class project, she found my abandoned art for the day! See my countdown to #USKGlobal24hrSketchwalk

Margo allowed me to add a few autumn colors to the abandoned art she found in the gallery this morning.

Two days down and two to go with my Abandoned Art Project. Where will tomorrow's piece be hidden? Who will find it?

Egg Tempera and Autumn Leaves

We had so much fun at Skagit Valley College with our autumn leaves and our handmade egg tempera. Inspired by Andrew Wyeth and nature itself! SVC night class, YOU ROCK!

Class demonstration--trying out a few recipes for egg tempera

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.

Catching the Leaves as they Fall

I pulled over for a tree today. I needed my Inktober Day 16 drawing and I caught a glimpse of it in the rear view mirror as I was driving home from my watercolor class in Kirkland. So I parked and stood on the sidewalk across the street from my car to sketch.

Market Street is quite dangerous for pedestrians, so the city has provided crossing flags for you as you prepare to use the crosswalk. Add that plus back lighting, no pockets, no chair, no color and leaves falling as you paint them and you've got a pretty thrilling 10 minute Inktober sketch. *James Bond music playing in the background.*

Inktober, Day 16--Lamy Pen, Waterbrush, Bee Sketchbook

Sunday painters, join the class!

I am teaching a watercolor workshop for beginners this weekend and I thought I would invite you Sunday painters to "virtually" join our class. Pretend that you are with us. Yesterday we went outside and picked up a whole bunch of autumn leaves. Then I showed them some of my tricks and techniques. Here are the results. Didn't they do just great?!

The essence of Autumn!

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.

Custom Mats and Frames for ACEO

 "Autumn Leaves" triptych

Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper

3.5"x2.5" each watercolor leaf
Price: $90 (for all three) does not include mat/frame

Also shown: "Red Orange Leaf"
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
4.5"x5.5" in acid free 5x7" photo mount card
Price: $48

After the intensity of creating a triptych of autumn leaves comes the energy-sapping task of properly matting and framing. I prefer that my collectors would take the original work to a reputable framer and have them do it. "I'm an artist, Jim, not a framer!"

If you do want to be sure that the framing is properly done, here are some do's and don'ts:

Do:

• Choose archival, acid, lignin, solvent free materials to preserve the quality of original art
• Select a mat and frame that gives enough room around the artwork to separate it from its surroundings.
• Keep mat and frame colors minimal and not competing with the artwork.
• Use a dust cover on the back and wire, not sawtooth hangers.

Don't:

• Never frame so that the artwork presses against the glass. Over time,  moisture will transfer pigments and ruin the artwork.
• Never glue, laminate or otherwise permanently attach the whole artwork to backing. It devalues the painting. Framers have acid, lignin, solvent free tape for attaching it to the mat.
• Never use cardboard or wood against the back of the painting. Acid erosion and foxing will damage the artwork.
• Never spray glass cleaner directly on the glass. Spray onto a soft cloth and then clean the glass. Cleaner could creep under the frame and soil the mat and/or artwork.

Daniel Montoya has a very nice tutorial on DYI methods for framing these small paintings.

Yellow Autumn Leaf

Original Watercolor, 5x7"
by Michele Cooper

 It's hard to pick just one.

Red Autumn Leaf

 Original Watercolor, 5x7"
by Michele Cooper

Demonstration for my class.

Leaf Collection 4

My students went over the top this time! This collection of autumn leaves had to be photographed from atop a table. It's 5 feet long!

Lost a bit in the perspective but you can still zoom in to see both sides of the collection.

Beautiful! Great work everyone!

Two More Leaf Collections

 Here are two more collections of autumn leaves from talented students.



Which one is your favorite?