There is something magical about stepping into the rainforest for the first time — the sound of distant birds, the humidity in the air, and the feeling that life is unfolding everywhere around you. As I prepare to return once again to Costa Rica for my annual art and photography tour, I find myself reflecting on how deeply this place has shaped my art and my teaching. For 32 years, Costa Rica has inspired me with its extraordinary biodiversity and endless creative possibilities. While not everyone can travel to experience this wonder firsthand, my goal has always been to bring the rainforest to you — helping artists everywhere discover the same fascination and joy through drawing and painting.
I realize not everyone has the ability or resources to travel internationally, and over the years I’ve often asked myself:
How can I bring the rainforest experience to those who cannot travel?
Part of my mission as an artist is helping others experience the wonder of nature through observation and art. Watching a student see a subject truly come alive on paper — whether a moth wing or a rainforest bird — is one of the reasons I teach.
I’ve always been fascinated by how everything in nature is connected, and translating that understanding into art continues to inspire my own creative process.
Teaching Online: Connecting Artists Across the World
Six years ago, I began teaching live online art classes through Zoom. At first, I wasn’t sure how online teaching would feel — but it quickly became one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
Through these online workshops, I now connect with artists around the world, including students from New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Turkey, Europe, and beyond — people I never would have met otherwise.
Online learning allows me to bring rainforest art instruction, natural history education, and drawing and painting techniques directly into artists’ studios wherever they are.
New Early Spring Online Workshops
This spring, I’m offering two new live Zoom classes designed to help artists explore the beauty of nature through scientifically informed painting techniques.
Saturniid Moths: Watercolor & Gouache for Scientific Illustration
Saturniid moths — often known as giant silk moths — are among the most spectacular insects in the natural world. Their dramatic patterns, elegant wing shapes, and fascinating life cycles make them perfect subjects for natural history illustration.
In this workshop, you’ll learn:
- Saturniid moth anatomy and wing structure
- How to draw scientifically accurate forms
- Layering watercolor and gouache for luminous color and fine detail
- Techniques for painting realistic textures and patterning
This class blends art and science, helping you create artwork that feels both accurate and expressive.
Into the Rainforest: Painting Flora & Fauna Inspired by Costa Rica
“Into the Rainforest” is my way of bringing Costa Rica’s extraordinary ecosystem into your studio.
Together we will explore subjects such as:
- Toucans and tropical birds
- Tree frogs and rainforest amphibians
- Sloths and rainforest mammals
- Tropical plants and ecological relationships
This workshop combines natural history knowledge with practical painting instruction, giving artists of all levels tools to paint with confidence.
Why These Classes Are Different
My goal is not simply to teach technique — it’s to help you see nature more deeply.
You’ll learn to:
- Observe subjects like a natural science illustrator
- Understand anatomy before painting
- Simplify complex details into clear compositions
- Combine artistic expression with scientific accuracy
These skills transfer beautifully to painting birds, insects, botanical subjects, and other wildlife.
Art, Nature, and Conservation
When we slow down and truly study a moth wing or the posture of a sloth, we begin to appreciate the complexity and fragility of the natural world. Through art, we build connection — and that connection inspires care and conservation.
This philosophy is at the heart of everything I teach.
Join Me This Spring
If you’ve ever wanted to explore rainforest subjects, improve your watercolor and gouache skills, or deepen your understanding of natural history illustration, I invite you to join me.
You don’t have to travel thousands of miles to experience the rainforest — we’ll bring it to life together from your own studio.
Live Zoom Workshops • Recorded Replays Included • Artists of All Levels Welcome
Classes start March 7, 2026. Click here to register
Got questions? email me at: mindy@mindylighthipe.com
