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Full (2 1/2 Days) Fort Bragg Mendocino 2026 Workshop. - Friday August 14 - Sunday August 16
When - August 14th, 15th and 16th.
Where - Fort Bragg and Mendocino
Friday - 10 am Melanie’s home - 32671 Simpson Lane. Fort Bragg
Meet to enjoy 2 hours learning sketching and watercolor
techniques relevant to drawing structures. Centering your sketch and painting, finding a focal point, adding people.
12pm lunch break
1pm - 3pm Noyo Harbor (if not crazy busy) We will park and paint “urban Sketch” style, looking for boats, buoys, buildings and beach scenes to paint.
3pm - 5pm Happy hour and painting at Harbor View Bistro and Bar
(500 Casa Del Noyo, Fort Bragg) We have reserved the sunroom for a private happy hour and sketch.
Saturday - 9.30am - 11.30am Melanie’s home - review previous work/ How to take reference photos / how to create reference sketches/ building dimension and depth. Keeping light in florals. Creating soft backgrounds.
12pm - Botanical Gardens (18220 CA-1 Fort Bragg). - fee at the door. Folding chair recommended. Seating available but you may want to move around.
5pm Happy hour and potluck Paella dinner at Melanie’s. BYO drink and a food item. Paella cooked on location!
Sunday -9.30am- 11.30am - Mendocino waterfront finale - review work so far
Additional help with on location sketching and how to create reference
sketches including street and coastal scenes. Dry brushing in the ocean.
On Sunday we will have a wrap up lesson and critique on Mendocino waterfront. Please bring sun hats and sunscreen and a folding chair in case of crowds. It is early enough that we may avoid that problem, but good to be prepared. You are free to stay as long as you like. I will touch in with each of you and demonstrate techniques relevant to our chosen scene to finish off our workshop.
Saturday night potluck/paella party is graciously hosted by Melanie Fonseca.
Please RSVP to Christine (530 370 1285) and plan on adding to the fun with a beverage and nibble/ salad/ dessert or side.
During this workshop you will learn how to choose what to paint and how to present it. How to take reference photos and to create reference sketches. You will develop plein air painting skills and refine and build detail in your work.
This area offers an opportunity to paint ocean, rocks, bustling wharf life and vast botanical subjects.
Materials and suggested items -
Please be sure and prepare for sun and wind protection as well as cooler temperatures. Things to consider - hat, sunscreen, light jacket, sweatshirt, walking shoes.
Refillable water bottle, electrolyte packets, snacks, backpack. Or rolling cart/tote https://www.michaels.com/product/fineline-resist-fine-tip-pen-10452976?michaelsStore=9184&inv=1
Easy carry folding chair or stool.
binoculars , camera, phone
There is no need to go to great expense for a fun and creative adventure. If you have a pad of watercolor paper and paints etc already then that will be perfect!
Art Supplies
Watercolor Journal - either 8.5”x11” or 8.5”x5.5” of 140lb paper - https://www.michaels.com/product/strathmore-400-series-watercolor-hardbound-art-journal-10276444
Watercolor set - can be tubes in a palette or a pan set like this one - https://www.michaels.com/product/winsor-newton-cotman-watercolor-compact-set-10259235
Brushes - consider sizes 6, 8 and 12 or 6 and 12 https://www.michaels.com/product/princeton-aqua-elite-synthetic-long-round-watercolor-brush-10553706
I also like these for painting on the go - https://www.michaels.com/product/yasutomo-niji-waterbrush-v2-set-10598808?michaelsStore=9184&inv=2
You will also need micron pens in black (maybe a couple) https://www.michaels.com/product/pigma-micron-05-fine-line-pen-10255544?michaelsStore=9184&inv=7
Masking fluid - https://www.michaels.com/product/fineline-resist-fine-tip-pen-10452976?michaelsStore=9184&inv=1
Bring a rag or towel, tissues, pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener, water holder with lid (old pill bottle or tupperware) in an easy carry/rolling tote or backpack.
A small water spray bottle is also a great idea.
Book accommodations early to beat the crowd.
When - August 14th, 15th and 16th.
Where - Fort Bragg and Mendocino
Friday - 10 am Melanie’s home - 32671 Simpson Lane. Fort Bragg
Meet to enjoy 2 hours learning sketching and watercolor
techniques relevant to drawing structures. Centering your sketch and painting, finding a focal point, adding people.
12pm lunch break
1pm - 3pm Noyo Harbor (if not crazy busy) We will park and paint “urban Sketch” style, looking for boats, buoys, buildings and beach scenes to paint.
3pm - 5pm Happy hour and painting at Harbor View Bistro and Bar
(500 Casa Del Noyo, Fort Bragg) We have reserved the sunroom for a private happy hour and sketch.
Saturday - 9.30am - 11.30am Melanie’s home - review previous work/ How to take reference photos / how to create reference sketches/ building dimension and depth. Keeping light in florals. Creating soft backgrounds.
12pm - Botanical Gardens (18220 CA-1 Fort Bragg). - fee at the door. Folding chair recommended. Seating available but you may want to move around.
5pm Happy hour and potluck Paella dinner at Melanie’s. BYO drink and a food item. Paella cooked on location!
Sunday -9.30am- 11.30am - Mendocino waterfront finale - review work so far
Additional help with on location sketching and how to create reference
sketches including street and coastal scenes. Dry brushing in the ocean.
On Sunday we will have a wrap up lesson and critique on Mendocino waterfront. Please bring sun hats and sunscreen and a folding chair in case of crowds. It is early enough that we may avoid that problem, but good to be prepared. You are free to stay as long as you like. I will touch in with each of you and demonstrate techniques relevant to our chosen scene to finish off our workshop.
Saturday night potluck/paella party is graciously hosted by Melanie Fonseca.
Please RSVP to Christine (530 370 1285) and plan on adding to the fun with a beverage and nibble/ salad/ dessert or side.
During this workshop you will learn how to choose what to paint and how to present it. How to take reference photos and to create reference sketches. You will develop plein air painting skills and refine and build detail in your work.
This area offers an opportunity to paint ocean, rocks, bustling wharf life and vast botanical subjects.
Materials and suggested items -
Please be sure and prepare for sun and wind protection as well as cooler temperatures. Things to consider - hat, sunscreen, light jacket, sweatshirt, walking shoes.
Refillable water bottle, electrolyte packets, snacks, backpack. Or rolling cart/tote https://www.michaels.com/product/fineline-resist-fine-tip-pen-10452976?michaelsStore=9184&inv=1
Easy carry folding chair or stool.
binoculars , camera, phone
There is no need to go to great expense for a fun and creative adventure. If you have a pad of watercolor paper and paints etc already then that will be perfect!
Art Supplies
Watercolor Journal - either 8.5”x11” or 8.5”x5.5” of 140lb paper - https://www.michaels.com/product/strathmore-400-series-watercolor-hardbound-art-journal-10276444
Watercolor set - can be tubes in a palette or a pan set like this one - https://www.michaels.com/product/winsor-newton-cotman-watercolor-compact-set-10259235
Brushes - consider sizes 6, 8 and 12 or 6 and 12 https://www.michaels.com/product/princeton-aqua-elite-synthetic-long-round-watercolor-brush-10553706
I also like these for painting on the go - https://www.michaels.com/product/yasutomo-niji-waterbrush-v2-set-10598808?michaelsStore=9184&inv=2
You will also need micron pens in black (maybe a couple) https://www.michaels.com/product/pigma-micron-05-fine-line-pen-10255544?michaelsStore=9184&inv=7
Masking fluid - https://www.michaels.com/product/fineline-resist-fine-tip-pen-10452976?michaelsStore=9184&inv=1
Bring a rag or towel, tissues, pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener, water holder with lid (old pill bottle or tupperware) in an easy carry/rolling tote or backpack.
A small water spray bottle is also a great idea.
Book accommodations early to beat the crowd.