"Fresh Today at Pike Place Market"

"Fresh Today at Pike Place Market"
11x15" Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper

I painted this from sketches and video footage. I like being able to stop the action where it best fits the composition I have in mind.

"Red Barn in Winter" DVD

Announcement:
I am in the final editing process in the production of my new watercolor instructional DVD. It's the latest in my series of watercolor videos. Here's a section of the painting taught step by step. (click image for larger view)

Step One in "Red Barn" DVD

I'm trying to decide if I should make it into a shorter, 20 minute lesson for $20 or use more material on technique, composition, closeups, etc. for the fuller version (60 min.) at $30.

What are your thoughts? Please let me know what you think.

New Exhibitiion of Sargent watercolors

John Singer Sargent (American, 1856–1925). (left) Simplon Pass: Reading, circa 1911. Opaque and translucent watercolor and wax resist with graphite underdrawing, 20 1/16 x 14 1/16 in. (51 x 35.7 cm). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, The Hayden Collection—Charles Henry Hayden Fund. Photograph © 2013 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; (right) Bedouins, circa 1905–6. Opaque and translucent watercolor, 18 x 12 in. (45.7 x 30.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum

 John Singer Sargent Watercolors

April 5–July 28, 2013

This landmark exhibition unites for the first time the John Singer Sargent watercolors acquired by the Brooklyn Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in the early twentieth century. The culmination of a year long collaborative study by both museums, John Singer Sargent Watercolors explores the watercolor practice that has traditionally been viewed as a tangential facet of Sargent’s art making. The ninety-three pieces on display provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to view a broad range of the artist’s finest production in the medium.

Rising from the Mist

 "Rising from the Mist"
Original Watercolor Painting by Michele Cooper
Size: 11x15"  Price: $235 Sold

The weather is always changing on the N. Cascades Pass. Sometimes it changes every five minutes. No matter what the season or weather, there is always something beautifully majestic to discover.

Mountain Mist

"Mountain Mist" by Michele Cooper
4"x6" Original Watercolor

This "sketchy" style of painting can be a quick way of composing the colors, values and shapes for a larger painting. The small size allows for control of wet, or damp brushwork to create atmosphere, distance and form.

Heart on a Hill

I arrived at Skagit Valley College to teach my night class on watercolor and saw a lovely little heart on the snowy hill.

Zoom into the center of this photo to see it.

Along the Winter Shore

"Along the Winter Shore"
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
10"x8"  Price: $125 with free shipping

I love the interplay of textures in the winter......the softness and sometimes roughness of the snow.....the cold misty distant shapes.....and the dark, crunchy vegetation left over from autumn.

Rainy Day Sketching

Try sketching the effects of rain on location. Either paint from your car or find a dry spot under a tree or other temporary shelter.

Public parks in the Pacific NW sometimes even have sheltered tables with a fireplace!

Materials: sticks pruned from bamboo and mock orange in the garden, walnut ink, bamboo pen, sketchbook, water, brush, Derivan liquid pencil. I like to use the Fage Greek yogurt containers for a stable water vessel. I can use just a small amount of walnut ink in the "fruit" section and the larger part for water.

Rain Along the Coast

"Rain Along the Coast"
by Michele Cooper
5x7" Original Watercolor
$60  (Includes S&H)

We have lots of atmosphere here in the Pacific NW this winter. A walk along the coastline gives you plenty of drama.

Looking across to Whidbey Island

Rainy Day on Camano Island
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
14x11"

Painted this on location......from the car while it was raining. I think I really did get the feeling of a rainy day without painting actual raindrops.