Mark Northcott

About

Mark R. Northcott is a Yakima-based illustrator, educator, and creative visionary whose lifelong mission is to help others discover that “your journey becomes an adventure when your imagination lights the way.” As the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Sketch Book Artists, Mark has built an imaginative bridge between storytelling, illustration, and community art education. Drawing from his background in architectural and landscape design, he brings precision and structure to the expressive world of drawing, guiding students to find both form and freedom in their work.

Through initiatives like the Yakima Arts Academy and The 8 Pages of Sketchbooking, Mark empowers young artists to see sketchbooking as more than practice—it’s a meditative dialogue between imagination and discipline. His workshops, blog series, and community projects—Manga Monday, Tuesday How-To’s, and Figurative Friday—invite students of all ages to explore creativity as a daily habit and a lifelong skill.

Influenced by masters of their craft such as Frank Frazetta, Alex Ross, and Julie Bell, Mark’s art celebrates dynamic storytelling and emotional depth. Whether mentoring youth, illustrating a family’s “Legacy Novel,” or sketching live at community events, he continues to champion the idea that every artist’s path is a story worth drawing—one page at a time.