The purpose of nature journaling is to help capture the moment: it is an intentional act on the part of the participant to gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world through observation and recording the experience, including a sketch and/or photos of some aspect of the outing. The images produced in a nature journal should take you back to that moment and help you recall what you felt, saw and heard- what you sensed.
The tools for beginning a nature journal are simple: a journal, pencil, a pen such as a Uniball with a fine tip, and time outdoors. No need for a degree in art. A quick sketch is done in the field, with details added at that time or later using field guides for assistance with birds, for example. Note should be made of date, place, weather and the surroundings. Anything found in nature is a prospective subject for a nature journal entry.
Though the tools are simple, there are a few criteria you should look for. The journal should be small enough to carry with you everywhere you go if you choose. It should have unlined, acid-free pages and should open easily and lie flat when open. I prefer hardbound journals rather than spiral-bound. A #2 pencil will do just fine, but a couple of drawing pencils such as 3B will give a sense of uniqueness to your journal and your experience. The pen is for reinforcing the lines of your sketch when you're finished. The time outdoors is cost-free and doesn't have to be more than 10 to 15 minutes right in your own backyard. That's how I got started "drawing nature," and my creativity has flourished as a result. As you become comfortable with your journal and the process, you might want to get a basic set of colored pencils, such as Prismacolor, and experiment with adding color to the entries. Color adds a whole new dimension to the experience.
A Bit About Me
I had no idea I could draw until I was 50 years old. I have always loved nature and am an avid birdwatcher. I signed up to take an outdoor nature journaling class; several participants, including myself, said we would take the class, but our best drawing efforts were stick figures. One of the recommended resources was Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. We were told this book would give us some basic drawing skills that would help us in the class if we had no previous experience. I bought the book beforehand and began reading and doing the suggested exercises. I was pleasantly surprised to see a sketch of my hand that looked uncannily like my hand and actually had depth and texture! Right then I was caught, and I've been drawing, sketching, coloring and creating ever since. I'm now beginning to dabble in watercolors and am in the process of planning a mural in my home.
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Brenda Muncrief's Drawing Nature topic, please visit the Discussions page.