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A watercolour and mixed media adventure.

$57

*** Please note all courses are hosted on Thinkific and billed in USD ***

{ LIFE TIME ACCESS & DOWNLOADABLE VIDEOS }

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
— John muir

Hello & welcome!

There is something mystical about the mountains. They call us to adventure and to challenge ourselves, and also to find stillness and tranquility. Our experiences offer us inspiration and wisdom.

In this beginner class, you will create small and magical artworks inspired by the mountains. 

We will explore beautiful watercolour and mixed media techniques, focusing on an Element of Design in each lesson. You will paint a foggy mountain trees scene, create an art journal spread of a mountain memory, and make a small deck of mountain wisdom cards. Let me guide you with technical instructions, and encourage you to draw from your own experiences to personalize your projects.  Capture both the imagery and feelings you get from spending time in the mystic mountains with these beautiful little projects.

I’m looking forward to guiding you and seeing your creations!

- Nicole

Nicole on top of Peyto Peak  in the Waputik Range of the Canadian Rockies.

Nicole on top of Peyto Peak in the Waputik Range of the Canadian Rockies.

 

Explore the lessons

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Warm Up Lesson

Let’s get comfortable with our materials. In this warm-up lesson we will explore watercolours and water-soluble graphite, creating a mini reference deck of techniques. These techniques will guide you in all three projects.

 
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Lesson 1 - Foggy Mountain Trees

Begin your Mystic Mountain adventure with a meditative painting inspired by the foggy mountains of the Pacific Northwest. In this lesson you will learn about “Value” as you paint a mountain scene using watercolour and Lyra water-soluble graphite. We will practice wet-into-wet painting techniques, create atmosphere with an Isopropanol technique and paint expressive trees. We will finish the piece with a magical dusting of snow using iridescent watercolours and an acrylic paint pen. You will have a beautiful piece that is ready to frame!

 
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Lesson 2 - Keep close to nature’s heart

Art journaling is a beautiful way to capture and layer visual inspiration with our feelings and reflections of our experiences. This lesson begins with a guided audio prompt in which I will help you visualize one of your most memorable mountain experiences. Using “Colour” as your main inspiration, you will capture special details of the experience using writing, watercolour painting and drawing with markers and paint pens. You can add a finishing touch to your pages with a favourite mountain quote of your choosing or one from my collection.

 
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Lesson 3 - Mountain Wisdom Card Deck

What wisdom can you find in the mountains? In this lesson on miniature watercolour paintings, we will focus on “Line”, taking inspiration from the contour lines in topographical maps and also the lines of mountain-tops. You will bring together words inspired by the mountains with small paintings to create a personalized little wisdom deck. Wonderful things come in small packages!

 

The classroom is open now:

$57

*** Please note all courses are hosted on Thinkific and billed in USD ***


 
 

“I’m working on your Mystic Mountains class. I’ve just watched the video and haven’t even started to paint…however, I’ve already learned so much by observing. I’m so looking forward to tomorrow to get to the watercolour paper!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your talent, tips and inspiration!” - Jennifer Moen


In this class you will: 

  • Create atmospheric watercolour paintings using a variety of watercolour techniques

  • Learn how to paint with water-soluble graphite

  • Combine water-soluble graphite with watercolour paints

  • Create visual texture in watercolour with an Isopropanol technique

  • Add a magical shimmer to your projects using iridescent watercolour paints

  • Use three Elements of Art - Value, Colour, LIne - as focal points for your project

  • Write freely in your art journal using inspiration from your own mountain travels

  • Add details using acrylic paint pens and markers

 

Who is this class for?

This class is for any mountain-lover who wants to bring an expressive and abstract approach to their painting and journaling. If you’re a busy person who wants to make space for your creativity, then you will love this class.  You will create soft and serene yet quietly powerful pieces in three unique projects.

 

Only $57

*** Please note all courses are hosted on Thinkific and billed in USD ***

 
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Supplies

watercolour paints 

Iridescent watercolour paints (I’m using Finetec pearlescent)

watercolour mixing palette or white yogurt lid 

watercolour brushes 

water container

rags

painters or masking tape

a board to tape your painting to

9 x 12” pad of cold press watercolour paper (I’m using Canson) 

Mixed Media or Watercolour Art Journal (I’m using a Strathmore Mixed Media 500 Series Journal 7 x 9”)

pencil

ruler

scissors or exacto knife

Isopropanol alcohol 99% (from the drugstore)

a Lyra water-soluble graphite stick in the 6B - 9B range

heat gun or hair dryer

white acrylic paint pen (Posca) or Sakura Gelly Roll Pen in white or silver

fine-line pens in a range of colours (I’m using Staedtler Triplus)

a writing journal or loose paper

Optional: rounded corner craft punch, small water spray bottle, clips to hold journal open, photos from your mountain trips