Nature Journaling and Field Sketching

the proportion and negative space tools are really helpful! they seem obvious once you use them in practice but they would never have dawned on me unless I learned them here. I think proportions are easier to measure on things with more solid structure - I was drawing a jade plant and I kept either drawing the leaves too big or little, even though proportionally the main stalk was accurate. I had to go back and check a few times for each area.

  I think my negative space drawing came out better than a straight sketch would have.  Useful tool for sure.

Drew this from a picture not in the field. Considering negative space and proportions was very useful while drawing, hoping to get to a point where this happens while drawing without thinking consciously about it.

I enjoyed using negative space and proportional measuring as techniques for nature drawing.  I began my drawing by lightly pencilling the spxe tha I expected not to be used by my cactus plant.  I had used this method in the past doing pastel drawings so it felt very familiar.  The idea of proportional measuring with my thumb was a new technique for me and it worked very well in marking out the height and width of the expected size of the plants; putting the Madagascar lines in first and then marking out the flower pot and the other plants, the Tiger Aloe and the Mistletoe cactus. I was pleased with my resulting drawing but not sure how transferable the skills will be with moving targets.  I was very challenged by the moving target videos.  Had fun but not much success. Here are attached 2 photos:  a photo of the planting and a  pencil drawing. Suzanne

I actually forgot about the negative space when drawing this orchid plant.  I was concentrating on the the proportions.  And I didn’t shade either. Looked better.  More practice.  Too miserable to go,outside.  Raining and several days more to come.  

Drawing using negative space.  I found this interesting. After drawing for a while I got the hang of it. Actually started making sense and looked like a flamingo. And was fun.

I found this very helpful. I will use it all the time now. And, yes, it's easier to measure some subjects compared to others.

Thank you, Liz. Always had trouble with Proportion but this technique helps a lot. I have even sketched my GS which I've been wanting to do.

I went outside, at first, to practice measuring proportions using my pencil. It worked, helping me to balance the pond size and configuration, as well as the bench. Then I practiced indoor, using a still from the video provided here. While outdoor, I think didn't notice negative space as much as drawing the second time, indoors. I realize these are techniques I must keep on practicing. The negative space helped me a lot, while drawing the "Pink Lady's Slipper" flower.

Drawing the negative space to show the flamingo

Measuring proportions helps at looking at far away object to depict the proportions of each element on a 2D surface. Below are two drawings, the first measuring inside of space. The second measuring an outside scene. Both drawings where measured using the pencil.

This technique has definitely brought my sketches to the next level. Living, moving animals are definitely harder than landscapes. Using photos and video that you can loop I find is very helpful. Below is a drawing I did do a toad I found in the garden when digging the last of the potatoes. It was certainly an exercise in proportion but also negative space as the garden soil made such a contrast to the toad. I worked off a photo that I took. I am pleased and surprised how well it turned out using all the techniques I have learned so far in this class. Thank you!

I think my flamingo was better using the negative space than if I had tried to draw it as "the bird"

I practiced a gesture drawing of horses in the neighbouring field, and realized that after they moved on, and some of horses looked liked elongated sausages, that this would have been the perfect application for measuring a head, and then using that measurement as a tool to refine my gesture drawings. Not having done that, all I know is that my ‘sausage horses’ aren’t in proportion, but I don’t have the info to correct them. Great tip for using the tools at hand!

Measuring felt overwhelming at first but it removed complexity once completed as I could focus on the details and not worry about missing a part of feeder because of a measuring mistake. This took me close to an hour and not one bird showed up! Measuring feels easier with scenes that aren't as cluttered. I realized after watching the video that the bench example was straight forward, symmetrical, easy to understand to get the point across. Finding something in nature that works the same way isn't that easy. I walked around for a good 10 minutes before finding the proper sit spot+view combo. I'm learning so much. This is awesome.

This was really helpful. I found that I underestimated the relative sizing each time. It was helpful to move away from what I thought the subject should look like to paying more attention to what I was actually observing.

It was hard, really hard! But after a while, the drawing began to look like I wanted it to. I was drawing my dog, Lumi, the Leonburger, of whom I am obsessed with, (I’m using her name for this) and found she was harder to capture realistically. (I’m more of a cartoon artist) However, she is from a bit of a lazy breed, so that made her easier to sketch because she moved so slow. I don’t always use basic shapes to correct form, but I feel I should more, it is definitely rewarding. Lumi’s head is so large it’s almost disproportionate, which was hard to draw, but after I tweaked my drawing a lot, I found myself with a drawing I want to hang up.

I find that objects that dont move like plants, landscapes, seashells are much easier to measure proportions than moving object like animals and insects which can be much more challenging !

I was surprised to see how accurate the flamingo came out.  I liked using negative space.

I noticed it was difficult to measure a large subject and fit is on a smaller page in my journaling book.  It is important to measure correctly because it will throw off the balance of the sketch although you can adjust. Some of my subjects were more difficult I think, because of the size & depth.   A flat subject was easier.

It Was Difficult! Too hot to find any animals out so got gestures and proportions from soccer field — using human dimensions. Fortunately for me, a killdeer and some urban birds showed up on sign fixtures so I captured some wildlife too. I used videos for gesture inspiration of funny owls & also negative space around the theee.

I have been pleased with the measuring technique and have selected two places for my sit spots. I have a water fountain and the birds like to visit but are not sure about me.  So over a period of time I have been sketching them or the fountain when I was lacking birds.  I also starting taking photos when I can catch them so I could get the various angles and markings on the birds.  One afternoon I sat at the beach and was open to any and all subjects.  I think birds are a challenge because they move so much and in so many directions, children are tricky too.  I have found that proportion is relative to other subjects, so mostly I am just working on getting familiar so I can see and capture the different perspectives.  This is actually leading me into an idea for a composition with the fountain.  I just need to have more birds bathing and splashing.  I might get a journal page yet. Pat