Start Your Nature Journal

Have you ever wished you could sketch and/or write about the things you see in nature?
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a journal of the natural year? Artist, nature writer, and long-time nature journal keeper Mary Richmond hears this from people all the time but finds most never actually start. This class may be the motivational jump start you’ve been waiting for.

You don’t need any special talents or abilities to start and keep a nature journal, just a
willingness to observe and note what is going on outside your windows and doors, on your walks or runs, or just sitting in the backyard.

Sometimes, the hardest part is just getting started. Bring a new or unused small sketchbook to class (6 x 9” is a great size). If you will want to add paint to your sketches, get one that says Mixed Media on it. You will also want some colored pencils and a regular old #2 pencil to begin.
A pen with permanent black ink is also nice but not mandatory. Don’t get too fancy. Nature journals often get mucked about outdoors.

In this one-day class we will explore different ways that people keep nature journals and create covers for our sketchbooks that will inspire us to fill them. Several sketching and writing techniques will be discussed and tried before we head outdoors to sketch and write. If bad weather prevails we will work from natural found objects indoors.

You don’t have to be an artist or a writer to do this. Everyone will start where they are and honestly, anywhere is fine.
Bring a brown bag lunch. Masks and social distancing are still in effect, even if you are vaccinated. (the teacher is vaccinated)

When you leave class, you will be given a page of prompts to help you stay motivated and there will be a follow up Zoom meeting a month or so after class.

Saturday, April 24, 10am-3pm
Art Studio and Center campus
$105/$89 members