Location:      Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar & Conference Center

                        1895 Fall River Road, Estes Park, Colorado

Time:   8:30 AM-4:00 PM

Course Description: This two-day seminar will give you the techniques one needs to capture the landscape in watercolor. We will open our eyes to the beauty surrounding us and learn ways to paint skies, mountains, water, trees and much more.  You need to be familiar with drawing and painting in watercolor. We will be in the classroom the first half day and on location the remaining time.

Course Level:  II

Short-distance walks throughout the day on primarily level terrain (Possible sites include Moraine and Horseshoe Parks and sites along Trail Ridge Road.)

Brief Instructor Biography (additional information available at www.rmna.org):

Karen Ramsay grew up in Lakewood, Colorado. From an early age she enjoyed a love for drawing and painting. Karen graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver.  She has studied under many talented artists including: Charles Reid, Burton Silverman, Frank Webb and Eric Weingardt. In 2001, Karen was featured in the Big Sky Journal as an Artist of the West.  Karen enjoys plein-air painting. Some of her favorite locations include Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Teton National Park and her own backyard!  Most recently, teaching watercolor has allowed her to share this passion with many students. A quote from a recent student:

“Thanks again for your tremendous class. You are such a great teacher, so positive and encouraging! You have a true gift in teaching, not to mention in painting!”  Karen and her husband live in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Instructor’s Website:  www.karenramsay.com

Expectations:  Professional conduct will be expected from participants at all times.  Individual ideas will be respected.  Except during course breaks, cellular phones, pagers, and personal entertainment devices are strictly prohibited in the classroom and during field sessions.

Car-pooling:  Rocky Mountain Field Seminars courses utilize car-pooling to limit vehicles traveling into the Park.  Car-pooling makes it easier to keep the group together, reduces transit time, and allows courses greater access because fewer parking spaces are required at destinations.  In addition, it provides an opportunity for participants to discuss course material in small groups during transit.  Typically, a few participants from each course volunteer the use of their vehicles for car-pooling to course locations.

Tentative Course Schedule:

Thursday morning: Classroom, then to Alluvial Fan area for lunch and painting in the afternoon

Friday morning: Meet at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center at 8:00 am to car-pool to Sprague Lake for the day.

What to Bring:                                                                                                            

  Sack lunch, snacks, energy bars, and Water

Suggested Supply List

We will be painting on location in the Park; so we need to be prepared for this.

Our supplies should be easy to carry.

Lightweight foldable chair or stool, umbrella and or hat, bug spray and sunscreen, snacks and water to drink, lightweight telescoping easel or paint box, plastic bag – for trash, sketch book,

watercolor paper • 9 X 12 or smaller • 140-lb coldpress • or w/c sketchbook, board and tape to hold paper down if needed, mechanical pencil .05 or .07, 2B regular pencil, “sketch-and-wash” pencil, waterproof fine tip marker - Micron Pigma size .05 or .08 is a nice marker, kneaded eraser,

smaller paint “set up” in palette, watercolor brushes #8 or #10 round and or your favorites,

watercolor paints (Tube paints work best–artists or professional grade–using these will make a difference.)

Suggested colors:

cobalt blue, ultramarine blue, cerulean, sap green, aureolin, raw sienna, burnt umber, burnt sienna, cadmium red or scarlet lake, alizarin crimson, quinacridone gold (a nice treat)

Water container, small spray bottle (You will need to keep your paints moist.), paper towels or towel

A supply kit will be available for purchase at $145 per student.  This will include: 9 X 12 w/c block of paper (12 sheets), 6 X 8 guerrilla backpacker w/c palette with lid, guerrilla quill brush #2, sketch and wash pencil, waterproof fine tip marker, sketch pad, 2-oz spray bottle (for water), small bellows brush washer (collapsible water holder), Schmincke brand w/c - 5 ml tube paints: burnt sienna, ultramarine finest, alizarin crimson, aureolin modern.

Remember to Bring the 10 Essentials:

Rocky Mountain National Park recommends that hikers always carry the 10 essentials in their daypacks.

     Raingear                                    Map and compass                      Flashlight or headlamp

     Sunglasses and sunscreen           Candles                                     Matches or other fire starter

     Pocketknife                                First-aid kit                               Extra layers of clothing

     Sack lunch, snacks, and water                                                  

Note:  Rocky Mountain Field Seminars recommends that participants for all courses dress in layers and wear comfortable, sturdy hiking boots/shoes.  Participants should be prepared for sudden changes in temperature and weather conditions.

Teacher Recertification Credit:

Most seminars are eligible for teacher recertification credit through the Centennial Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES).  The fee is $25.00 per seminar (.5 unit) or $25.00 per series of threaded seminars (1.0 - 3.0 units).   A list of threaded seminars can be found online at www.rmna.org.  Participants must enroll in all seminars of a threaded series in order to qualify for the $25.00 multi-unit fee. Please be prepared to pay for this credit with a check, made payable to BOCES, on the first day of a seminar or on the final day of a threaded series of seminars.