Make Art-Feel Free
Scene to Soul
A Creative Journey into Landscapes
and the Emotions they Hold
From Scene to Soul
I often think of painting landscapes as a conversation — one where nature speaks through light, color, and movement, and we respond with brushstrokes, marks, and texture.
​
In this class, we'll explore how to capture not just the way a place looks, but the way it speaks to you — the hush of morning mist, the strength of sunlit rocks, or the warmth of first light spilling over the hills.
​
Using gouache and pastel, we'll move beyond representation and into painting from feeling - infusing our landscapes with memory, presence, and personal connection.
​
Warm-Up: Dropping Into the Landscape
Before we pick up the brush, we’ll take a moment to ground ourselves. This simple guided pause helps you quiet the mind, tune into your senses, and fully connect with the feeling of place you want to paint.
When you open your eyes, you’ll carry this sensory memory into your first painting—bringing depth, authenticity, and emotion to your work.
What we’ll learn together…
​Lesson 1: Misty Morning
Using fluid gouache washes, we’ll mix and layer intentional colors — building subtle variations in the land and sky. Expressive brushstrokes will bring movement to the grasses, while nuanced shifts in value suggest the shadows that fall across the meandering path. Finally, a delicate touch of pastel will add depth and texture, inviting the viewer to linger in the calm of the scene.
​Lesson 2: Red Rocks
In this lesson, we’ll channel the dramatic presence of Sedona’s red rock formations. Beginning with a light gouache underpainting, we’ll mix and layer intentional colors to create a strong foundation for both the rugged cliffs and the lush green trees.With palette knife in hand, we’ll build bold, textural strokes that capture the strength and vitality of the rock face, followed by equally dynamic work in the foliage to bring the scene to life. Rich pastel accents will deepen the values, enhance texture, and convey the grounded, energetic spirit that Sedona is known for.
Lesson 3: First Light
Our final piece is an invitation to choose a place that fills you with gratitude, wonder, or joy. I’ll demonstrate with a sunrise from Montelparo, Italy — a moment when golden light touched the clouds and spilled across the rolling hills.Through layered gouache washes and palette knife textures, we’ll translate the warmth and possibility that each new day brings. Gentle color shifts will capture the early morning glow, while pastel will add softness and detail, creating a painting that’s not only a record of a place, but a reflection of how it lives in your memory and heart.
BONUS Guide to Gouache PDF
With this quick-start guide to painting with gouache on the go, you’ll have everything you need to take your creativity on the road. Inside this downloadable PDF, you’ll find: the essentials of gouache; how to pack a lightweight travel kit; and my favorite quick-painting tips for capturing the world in bold, beautiful color—no matter where you are.
