James
Forum Replies Created
Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)
-
This course has given me some great drawing tools and direction for my nature journaling. Now it's time to get outside and keep filling up those pages, despite the cold weather! My journal page from today:
-
Thinking about this, I realize that I haven't read a lot of the classics of nature writing (including most of the works that are quoted above). I consider "nature writing" to be a fairly broad subject ranging from pure science to memoir. I love anything that inspires me to get outside, especially if it teaches me to notice something new--this includes field guides and trail guides! Some favorites of mine include: Mary Oliver, Rumi, John Muir, Kathleen Jamie, Claire Walker Leslie, In Praise of Paths - Torbjorn Ekelund, The Way Through the Woods: On Mushrooms and Mourning - Litt Woon Long.
-
The pencil drawing is my "before" drawing. Initially I wasn't happy with my "after" drawing, but looking at the drawings side-by-side made me see how much better the proportions and accuracy are in the "after" drawing--I'm clearly letting my brain "fill in the gaps" less. I am still getting used to watercolor layering and color mixing. The tiny black details on the warbler were tough, and the electric yellow was a hard color to replicate. Things to work on!
-
-
Does anyone have any tips on what I can use to hold my watercolor paper, palette, etc while painting outside? I see from the video that Liz has all of her gear propped on something--but what? Thanks, James
-
Saw some of these by the roadside yesterday, sketched & painted one from a reference photo today.
-
-
Beautiful! I like the simple expressiveness in these.
-
-
@Donita Thanks! :)
-
-
-
-
-
It was cold & snowy when I went out--I jotted down observations and a quick tree sketch but did most of my drawings back at home using my photos. Albany Pine Bush Preserve, I will be back!
-
-
Great drawing! Simple and very expressive! -James
-
I've never seen a Yellow Warbler in person (that I know of). Now that I've drawn one, I'm much more likely to recognize one in the future. Drawing from a photo can be great since you can hone in and focus on details (since the subject isn't moving)--and you can choose to highlight details that catch your eye and let others fade or draw them with less detail.
-
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.
The pencil drawing is my "before" drawing. Initially I wasn't happy with my "after" drawing, but looking at the drawings side-by-side made me see how much better the proportions and accuracy are in the "after" drawing--I'm clearly letting my brain "fill in the gaps" less. I am still getting used to watercolor layering and color mixing. The tiny black details on the warbler were tough, and the electric yellow was a hard color to replicate. Things to work on! 
Saw some of these by the roadside yesterday, sketched & painted one from a reference photo today. 
I've never seen a Yellow Warbler in person (that I know of). Now that I've drawn one, I'm much more likely to recognize one in the future. Drawing from a photo can be great since you can hone in and focus on details (since the subject isn't moving)--and you can choose to highlight details that catch your eye and let others fade or draw them with less detail. Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)