Wander Wisdom #3 - Keeping a Nature Journal
My son (6 yrs) nature journaling after a hike (left page is field observations;
right page is a life cycle inspired by a field guide)
Wander Wisdom #3- Keeping a Nature Journal
A nature journal is a great way to keep engaged with what you observe while out walking or hiking day to day. There is no real right or wrong way to keep one. In its simplest form, a nature journal can be a collection of papers on a clipboard where you attempt to draw or paint just about anything you find outside that catches your attention. When kept as a more scientific record, it is helpful to note the date, time of day, location, weather conditions, and any significant environmental conditions that are relevant to your observations. Doing so can help you to observe seasonal patterns in nature and compare the flora and fauna at different locations. It is fun to draw as realistically as you are able and then look in books and field guides to try to identify your finds. I have to admit that our family is more relaxed in our practice of nature journaling. We do it for recreation and enjoyment rather than serious study. For guidance on nature journaling, you can read and/or print John Muir Laws free eBook, “How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention”.
While any paper, notebook, and media can be used in a nature journal, I have found that my absolute favorites are medium-sized, bound, watercolor notebooks and watercolor pencils. While I’ve attempted to do watercolor paintings outdoors with travel kits, I find that the paints dry faster than I would like and that my results are less than ideal. I like the control that watercolor pencils give me over pigment, line contour, blending, and mess-free clean up. I also like that I can work for brief moments of time in between meeting my kids’ needs and come back to my work without a lot of effort, especially after taking a photo of my subject. I have 5”x7” handmade nature journals with perforated multimedia paper pages, as well as mini 2.5”x3.5” handmade nature journals, available in my online store and at in-person sales while supplies last. I will also be making 5”x7” watercolor paper nature journals to sell in person and online ASAP. Both styles have signed prints of my original nature artwork on the covers. Over the next year I hope to design my ideal nature study bag with room for all of the materials I suggest. Stay tuned for updates!, teach then to use it properly,
Pro Tip - Great Supplies Lead to Happy Outcomes!
I wish that I had invested in quality watercolor pencils sooner (and other art supplies for that matter). It is hard to make your artwork meet your vision with inferior supplies, and surprising how much easier ideas flow onto paper with quality ones. I suggest Fantasia or Cezanne brands for the highest quality at the most reasonable prices, for children and adults (I am not an affiliate). I don’t believe in making children who have made steps toward observational drawing use “beginners sets” of paints and pencils so as not to waste them. It is a recipe for dissatisfaction and lifelong art inferiority complexes. Give them the best that you can afford, teach them to use it properly, and let them run with it. You may be surprised with the quality of the results.
