Nature Journaling and Field Sketching

Being a decoy carver of shorebirds wanted to be able to draw better patterns so went online, found John Muir Laws site. Started watching a couple of videos on journaling and it looked like fun and have always enjoyed drawing.  Came across this course on his site and though it would be fun to take and make me do it instead of talking about it.

1. I've started a nature journal to chart the progress of a wildlife garden I began on retirement (2019) and have been developing since. Photos are okay, but they don't really encourage the fine attentiveness and enhancement of memory that journaling seems to cultivate. Here's a photo of my front garden in July 2021:

I've been an avid hiker (and mushroom forager) for years and as time goes on I'm focusing more and more on observing nature and learning while I'm outside--I've also been getting back into drawing and sketching, so nature journaling combines several interests of mine and gives me a way to slow down and process what I see and experience outside.  I was first introduced to nature journaling through Claire Walker Leslie's work and I've been inspired to learn more.  I look forward to honing my observation skills and learning new ways to translate my experiences into journal entries. One thing I'm excited to try is field sketching--currently, most of my drawing happens when I get home and sit down to look at photos and notes that I've taken.   I'm also excited to integrate watercolors into my journaling.

What inspired me to begin nature journaling is my backyard built by my husband from scratch.  Native plants as well adapted plants surround the L-shaped back yard and most of them attract wildlife.  I want to capture the evolution of the plants and how wildlife take advantage of nature to survive.  Then the backyard of my house will have a nature journal to be transmitted to the next generation. I like the idea of picturing geometrical shapes to start a sketch and developing from them.  I also like the water color addition to highlight details.

For the past couple of years, I have been keeping lists of birds that I see each day--and I have really enjoyed doing that. But I wanted to take it to another level and add more observations. So I would like to expand what I already do to add more narrative and some pictures--that's the part that is intimidating. I have never drawn or painted but I am excited to begin.

I am one of those "who cannot draw a stick figure", so I am looking forward to this course. One thought... Shayna showed how she would "zoom" a portion of her sketch. I think I will use the clip-on macro lens I have for my camera phone to do precisely that... get some detail that one cannot see otherwise. Cool, eh? For example, this is a photo of a blackfoot daisy bloom that has a small spider poised to catch lunch. The bloom is half inch across, so the detail is not readily available to the naked eye.

I've  tried nature Journaling before, but never stuck with it long enough to fill the notebook. I am a watercolorist, but I've  been away from it for a while. Since I've  just moved to a new state. I want to start by learning all the different  kinds of trees that grow here and the native plants. I used to paint birds, and I found it was a good way to learn about them. I'm  very interested in doing a page for each month and adding little drawings of individual items as the month progresses. I already have some photos of the lovely woods around here.

I have always loved the idea of nature journaling. I have ensured that my kiddos always have their journals with them on hikes and trips. Then I realized that my own nature journals were so blank! I am ready to invest time into my own journals -- I like the idea of a daily sketch -- and the monthly one for accountability.  I am looking forward to the rest of this course

This was a gift, an early Christmas present.  I am doing more and more bird watching these days.  I am drawn to the casual, the in the moment combination of sketching and journalling. I liked the diversity of the formats and methods shown.  I will probably draw something first, or several somethings.  I will also probably take pictures of sketches I like and use filters, etc.  I may even paste printouts of altered sketches in the journal.

I love drawing, just do not seem to have the time on a regular basis. We've been doing a backyard native plant restoration project and I was inspired to document the changes over time and species that visit. I like the idea of documenting time and place and weather and just jumping in with images and explanatory text. I am also going to try to incorporate this into one of my classes and share what I learn with my students.

       Since I love learning about ornithology, I have been drawing and taking notes on birds and sometimes other animals. This is also been a class that my mom and I have been wanting to do together. I would love to make my drawings more colorful and realistic when I am journaling. I would also like to use my journal for other animals and plants besides birds. 

1.  I love nature and the peaceful feeling that I get reconnecting with nature. Nature journaling should allow me to slow down and improve my drawing and painting skills.   2.  I think I might try the boxing in style.  3.  Nothing different, but might evolve into something a bit different as I go along.

I love the idea of capturing a month on a page.  It is not as intensive as having a journal entry for every day but still captures the highlights of a month of observation.  It is a great way to remember the month and relive those moments.

I'm inspired to use a journal to be fully present and notice specific details as well as the amazing scope of the place I'm in.  I'm eager to learn and observe more of the small bits that fascinate me before I move on to the next thing.  I'm also hoping that journaling and sketching will help me focus and use time wisely as I recovery from surgery and am unable to walk much for the next few weeks. I'm in awe of the artistic skill level of these journal sharers.  I feel like I'm not far beyond lollipop trees and snowmen and happy faces. THe colors in these journals are jaw-dropping--they look like the sea and clouds could just wash over me.

oops, I moved too fast :)

I love watching the birds in my little backyard and how different ones come at different times of the year. I need to learn how to capture these amazing little creatures as they flit to and fro, hang out on the feeder and play in the bird bath. These videos were awesome. Before I started this class, I had this vision of just learning to journal birds, but after watching the videos I’ve changed my mind, I want to learn how to draw plants & rocks.  I like the idea of having some notes with the drawings, particularly the date, time & location.

I have never been a person who journaled, but I started journaling earlier this year as part of my “dreaming big journey of discovery” to start a new business. It’s been an amazing personal growth experience. Now I want to expand to journaling and field sketching my time in nature with native plants, birds, butterflies, and more. I’m very excited to start this course because I want to capture these times with drawings and words. The journaling style that I hope to accomplish is filling a couple of pages per month, maybe weekly.

I live next to a chaparral preserve and love observing our summer-dormant natives spring to life with the first winter rains.  Nature journaling will give me the ability to document these changes in a way that is both memorable and beautiful. I am drawn to the first journal and how her drawings spring out of the boxes, it really brings them to life.

I have never thought myself to be artistic (think stick men...), but a couple of years ago decided to give watercolours a try.  I've enjoyed attempting to paint the birds that visit my bird feeder, but mostly by taking photos then painting from them.  They are simplistic pictures, but they are mine and I enjoy them!  I'm looking forward to learning to record nature as I see it (rather than from photos), and love the idea of recording thoughts and impressions alongside.  The monthly nature journal page especially appeals to me!

I am an avid birder and my husband and I camp a lot.  While I have done some sketching when we have traveled it has never been organized or consistent.  Nature journaling will encourage me not only to capture some of the beauty that I see but also to write about the experience, something that isn't captured in a photo.  I also see it as a meditative exercise, a chance to slow down, be in the moment and observe the beauty around me either at home when when traveling.

1.I am retired and I love walking in nature.  I want to develop my powers of observation.  I have never drawn as a hobby so I want to see how I do with it. 2.  I like the idea of using geometric shapes to start the sketch.  I would like to record details in writing as well. A page per month sounds reasonable.    

I have been a bird watcher since I was a little girl. That practice has followed me into adulthood. I do want to get out in nature more, and nature journaling seems like a wonderful practice to incorporate into that time. I really appreciate the journals that include accurate renderings as well as facts and observations. I am very excited about this course. 10/22

This is something I have been thinking about for a long time.  I have been doing Citizen Science for a number years birds, butterflies and dragonflies mostly.  I have wanted to see what my artistic ability is and do more with keeping records of what I see in nature.

I was inspired by Liz in a previous course I took about sketching birds. Also, I have kept a journal on trips I've taken out west and they are so special to me. They typically are not set up in anyway, and are on lined paper. I want to step it up a little bit! I want to start organizing my journal a bit more- and try to make entries weekly of normal, every day "wonders" so I form a habit that feeds my soul. I also want to be able to share this practice with my students.

I was inspired to begin nature journaling by a recent trip to Alaska. I spent many days hiking in the wilderness with small groups of people (less than 6). One day I was hiking by myself and found time to get down on my hands and knees and look at the plant life. I took pictures and they were great but I found I wanted to spend more time with the plants. At the time I wished I had a journal to make some sketches. When I got home I had an email with information about this course. It was perfect timing. I know that sketching really allows you to see details that you might otherwise overlook. I am happy to be participating in this class.