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October 28th, 2026

Sketch & Sip at Finnriver

Art Toolkit and guest artist Che Lopez invited everyone, sketchers and cidery guests alike, to join in and sketch!

By The Art Toolkit Team

A person lies on the floor, concentrating as they paint on a sketchbook surrounded by scattered artworks and materials. Several people stand in the background, observing the artist's work.
Guest artist Che Lopez leads demos for participants. Photo by Lisa Spangler.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Finnriver Farm & Cidery in Chimacum, Washington this past Sunday! It was a quintessential fall day full of color, moody clouds, and occasional breaks of sun—and even some sun showers.

Open sketchbook displaying colorful watercolor paintings of landscapes and trees. A palette of watercolor paints is nearby, with additional loose artworks scattered around, showcasing vibrant autumn colors.
Participant art, including Lisa Spangler’s and Pocket Palette!
A watercolor painting depicting a rustic building with a water tower above it. The tower features a sign that reads "Sidelighted Corners." The scene has soft pastel colors and a cloudy sky, with a hint of greenery in the background.
Maria’s sketch of the Fiddlehead Creamery ice cream window.

As we sipped cider and ate farm treats, our friend Che Lopez shared tips for getting started with sketching. He warmly welcomed everyone in the cozy pavilion to join in the sketching fun, demonstrating blind and modified contour sketches and simple, spontaneous approaches to watercolor.

A man is lying on the floor, holding a paintbrush and working on a sketchbook. A cup with a green liquid is nearby, and art materials are scattered around him. People can be seen in the background.
Che demonstrates as participants look on. Photo by Lisa Spangler.
A watercolor sketch of a person lying on their stomach, working on a drawing. Handwritten text above the figure reads instructions about drawing techniques, including "stained glass drawing" and "the floor is cold." The figure appears focused and engaged in their art.
Maria’s contour sketch of Che Lopez.

He showed participants how freeing watercolors can be when we allow the paint to mix on the paper and reminded everyone that the only wrong way to make art is to not do it.

"The more you sketch, the more you observe, the better storyteller you are."
—Che Lopez

Between mini demo sessions with Che, participants dispersed around the grounds to sketch scenes ranging from the colorful hills around the valley to festive pumpkins and the nearby ice cream shack.

A young woman stands behind a table covered with various art supplies, including paintbrushes, canvases, and a sewing kit. The table features a blue tablecloth with the "Art Toolkit" logo. The background shows a rustic interior with windows and decorations.
Retail Manager Brooke at our table.
A group of people are gathered indoors, some sitting and others standing, in a cozy space with wooden walls. In the center, an array of sketchbooks and art supplies is spread on the floor. One man stands observing, wearing a hoodie and sweatpants, while a woman in red pants holds a clipboard and stands nearby. The atmosphere appears casual and creative.
Che presenting with Maria.
A group of people gather indoors, watching a man demonstrate art techniques on scattered sheets of paper. The setting features wooden beams and decorations, with attendees showing varied expressions of interest and curiosity.
Participants look on as Che demos. Photo by Lisa Spangler.
Various open sketchbooks scattered on a flat surface, featuring colorful drawings of landscapes, objects, and characters. Some pages show detailed illustrations, while others display handwritten notes and doodles. The scene conveys a creative and artistic vibe.
More participant sketches, including Maria’s!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the presentation, and to Finnriver for hosting hosting us all in their beautiful space—and remember, practice, not perfection!

A large group of people stands together in a cozy, well-lit indoor space, holding up their art projects. The setting features wooden beams and warm lighting, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Many individuals are smiling, showcasing a variety of artistic works, including illustrations and drawings.
Sketch & Sip participants, Che Lopez (left), and Maria (center) with their sketchbooks in Finnriver’s Cider Garden Pavilion.

Learn about upcoming Art Toolkit events here.

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