WATERCOLOR SKETCHING THROUGH THE WINTER
Winslow Art Center (online)
Thursdays, January 29-February 19, 2026
3:00 pm-5:00 pm Pacific, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm Eastern
Don’t let the cold months ahead dampen your nature sketching and painting habits. Grab your sketchbook and join me for inspiration and techniques for sketching both inside and out throughout the winter. We’ll consider ideas for winter subjects and practice techniques for sketching with ink and watercolor. This class will help you keep a regular painting practice going through the winter. No jacket or gloves required. Find details at Winslow Art Center.
SKETCHING THE NATURE OF PLACE
Sofia in Monsaraz, Portugal
June 3-8, 2026
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary setting of Monsaraz, Portugal and delve into ways to explore and capture your experience of place, from landscapes, plants, and wildlife to food and culture.
Working primarily in ink and watercolor in a sketchbook/journal, you’ll learn techniques for recording the nature of place—here, and wherever you choose to go next. Daily instruction in watercolor journaling and painting techniques will focus on building your artistic skills, as well as offer opportunities to practice and gain confidence with Jean’s guidance and support. The group will work together in a supportive environment and people at all levels of experience are welcome. Learn about this incredible setting >
DRAWN TO NATURE
Madeline Island School of the Arts, Wisconsin
July 20-24, 2026
Capture the beauty, wonder, and diversity of nature in your sketchbook. Madeline Island offers a perfect setting to explore and sketch the island’s birds and wildlife, gardens, fields, Northern forests, and waterways. This workshop focuses on multiple approaches to sketching and painting nature-related subjects with an eye toward deepening your understanding, appreciation, and connection to the places you live or visit.
Interested in Hosting a Workshop?
Contact me. Please reach out via e-mail and tell me what you have in mind. Then we can arrange to talk on the phone to discuss details. I like to tailor a workshop to the needs of each group. Fees vary based on travel and workshop length.
jeanmackayart (at) gmail (dot) com
Here are a few possibilities:
- Sketching Nature with Pencil, Pen, and Paint
- Illustrated Journaling in Watercolor
- Drawing Birds
- The Art of the Bird: Eggs, Feathers and Nests
- Travel Sketching with Watercolor
Drawn In 
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Hello Jean, I studied with Marilee Nielsen in Orange County, CA where we did a project based on your journaling. I’ve watched your you tube workshop with kids and drew along with your collections. But why I am writing, is I cannot quite master or get a teacher on line to help me with layering although I sent a partial picture of your poppy and green bud where you have three or more layers overlapping. I am obsessed with learning how to do this as I usually am disappointed in my watercolors although I can draw well. Will you please teach an on-line workshop in watercolor?
On my laptop it is difficult to see unless an instructor has a close camera to watch the technique. Any advise for an 83 year old who has taken classes but only like your style, especially your florals.
Helen Harris
Hi Helen– I’ll email you! — Jean
I’m on Facebook and Instagram if you want to see the kind of watercolor help I need.
Thank you for your thorough reply. I’ll check out the free workshops also.
Helen Harris
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