Big Sky watercolor painting by J.R. Monks.
Watercolor: Rocky Mountain Landscape
In Watercolor: Rocky Mountain Landscape students will follow in the footsteps of artists who have captured the landscapes of the Rocky Mountains both on location, en plein air as well as in the studio. Students will learn fundamental landscape painting skills such as perspective of the landscape, value structures in the landscape, and color theory while studying excellent examples from the Denver Art Museum’s collections. Students will gain a great foundation for lifelong appreciation of landscape painting, particularly of the Rocky Mountains!
What to Expect: Students will be exposed to watercolor materials and techniques through demonstrations. The main emphasis of the class will be learning and building fundamental landscape painting skills. Students will learn the basis of technique in this workshop in order to go forward exploring the wonderful medium of watercolor. Students will practice techniques in the classroom setting and visit the Western American Collection of the DAM to see examples of how artists use the fundamentals of landscape painting to create original works.
Creative Classes are taught in a studio art environment and offer an opportunity to learn from professional creatives through traditional and experimental approaches. Each class is uniquely designed by a creative educator for an adult audience, designed to help you learn a new skill or expand your own creative practice. Explore the Summer/Fall 2025 class schedule.
About the Artist
J.R. Monks is a contemporary visual storyteller of the West. He works both directly in the field and in his studio and strives to be honest and bold in his approach creating images that speak to the beauty, grit, and spectacle of the Western United States. J.R. is a 4th generation Colorado rancher and maintains a studio in his small hometown on the eastern plains near the ranch where he was born and continues to live. J.R. feels a deep connection to the landscape and those who live closely in harmony with her, and his art is a humble homage to the infinite complexity of nature. J.R. is a Signature member of the Montana and Colorado Watercolor Societies, with his work included regularly in juried shows across the country.
Learn more on his website at jrmonks.com.
