Sketchbook Journaling: Rocky Mountain National Park in Watercolor

Whether you're just beginning to sketch or have been painting for years, this two-day workshop will help you develop your skills and feel more confident sketching and painting outdoors!

Through instruction, demonstrations, and free exploration time, participants will learn to capture the beauty around us. During our morning time in the classroom, participants will learn (or sharpen) some basic sketching and observation skills then head out to practice these skills in a specific location in Rocky Mountain National Park. We will learn different approaches that will include simple sketches with pencil, ink, colored pencils and watercolor.

Beginners are welcome and encouraged!

Who: Participants ages 16 and up.

Program level: Easy – Appropriate for most participants. Expect frequent short walks with ample breaks. Participants will be walking on paved or hardened surfaces with moderate slopes and occasional stairs. Participants may travel in vehicles to elevations above 12,000 feet. Wheelchair accessible transportation is available upon request.

This program has classroom sessions and field sessions.

When: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 from 9:00am to 3:00pm AND Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 9:00 am to 3:00pm each day

Where: Meet at the Fall River Visitor Center, 3450 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO 80517, and travel together to various locations within RMNP in Conservancy vehicles. All required fees and permits for park entry are included in your registration.

What to Bring:

• 10 Essentials for Field Institute Courses
• Watercolor sketchbook – There are many to choose from. Look for paper weight 140lb. Possible brands: Moleskin watercolor journals, Visual Journal, or Field Watercolor Sketchbook by Strathmore, Stillman & Birn Sketchbook • Beta Series (extra heavy weight 180lb)
• Watercolors – Please bring along one of these: Prang or Jack Richeson semi moist watercolor set – 8 colors or a travel size watercolor set
• Watercolor brush – please bring one: a travel brush, a round brush (size 6, 8, or 10), or a large point water brush
• Mechanical pencil 0.5 or 0.7mm
• Waterproof black fine tip marker - Possible option Micron Pigma 0.5, Faber Castel medium, Fine tip Sharpie
• Kneaded eraser
• Water and small container
• Small mist spray bottle (you will need to keep your paints moist )
• Paper towels (Viva is great!) and/or Swedish dish cloth - cut into smaller size
• Light weight foldable chair or stool

Optional Extras

• Sketch n Wash pencil (water soluble)
• Elegant Writer black marker – 1.3 extra fine,
• TOMBO black marker and/or expresso brown (water soluble)
• Watercolor colored pencils
• Le Pen fine point marker
• Black and/or gray thin white artist tape or Scotch brand magic tape - green

About Your Instructor: Karen Ramsay is a graduate of Colorado Institute of Art in Denver, she has studied under talented artists including Charles Reid, Burton Silverman, Frank Webb and Eric Weingardt. Karen was featured in the Big Sky Journal as an Artist of the West. Favorite locations for plein-air painting include RMNP, Grand Teton National Park and her own backyard!

Refund Policy:

Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the start of the course are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations made fewer than 30 days in advance are not eligible for a refund.

Our programs proceed rain or shine, and participants should be prepared for inclement weather. However, should we decide to cancel a program due to unsafe weather or emergency conditions, we will notify participants by email and automatically issue full refunds.

Conservancy members get 10% off individual registration when you use the discount code in your membership email!

Not a member of the Conservancy? Learn more and join here:

If you have questions about this course, please contact the Field Institute by email at [email protected] or by phone at 970-586-3262.

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Host or Publisher Rocky Mountain Conservancy Education Team