I have always wanted to keep a nature journal so when Charlie at Doodlewash invited us all on a Nature hike for the month of June, I decided this would be the perfect time to start that journal in watercolor sketches!
I purchased this book last year and it has TONS of ideas! Always great to see how others keep their journals too – I’d highly recommend this book:
I started sketching these flowers in my journal last week with a black pen and watercolor pencils. They were identified as Himalayan Fleece flowers or Knotweed. I decided to go back to my yard in search of a second flower for my art journal yesterday.
The Yarrow is spreading its sunny blossoms in my front yard right now and seemed to be saying, “Pick me, pick me!”
So I picked a small bouquet. It helps me to really study them before I draw them:
Did you see the spider in the photo on the left? An added bonus! 🙂
Here is my journal page:
I enjoyed creating this second sketch in my “Nature” journal and I hope you join me on the many new discoveries I find in June!
Happy Creating! 🙂
Jill's Art Journal 
This is so much fun, I love making Nature journal and I used to do this when I was on vacation. You Inspired me to have another go at it! Xo Johanna
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy to have inspired you, Johanna! 🙂 I look forward to seeing what you create! xo
LikeLike
I love your drawing, Jill! Drawing from nature is just so calming. Just the perfect reminder to go out and be with and ‘talk’ to the flowers in the small garden. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Carrie! It is very calming to be one with nature. I start to notice more about different plants when I start drawing them. Thanks for your nice comments! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great drawing Jill! Will be fun to watch your nature journal fill up! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jodi, I’m looking forward to it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fun that you caught the spider too! This looks like a good project, looking forward to seeing where it goes. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kerfe! I am looking forward to exploring some different ideas and plants! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a lovely sunny colour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is Pauline! Just makes one, smile! 🙂
LikeLike
I so admire your drawing talent. And the nature sketchbook sounds like a wonderful idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So kind of you to say, Kathy! I hope I can include a drawing from one of your AMAZING photos too! 🙂
LikeLike
You’ve done a beautiful job with this Jill. Gorgeous colors and lines. You have such a wonderful way with flowers, a real gift!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laura! Flowers and nature are very calming to me. I think that it can become a meditative practice as well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
No doubt! Particularly the way you do it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love botanical studies! What a lovely piece you’ve made! I think I might have that book…it’s sad that I can’t even remember what books I have in my possession. LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the old books with botanical illustrations. I like how they break down the different sections of a flower. I want to try doing this too. And yes, I hear you on the books. I have so many that I forget what I have too. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice bouquet and sketches Jill! I love flowers and sketching sometimes just from memory.. Have a fabulous weekend!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jennifer! I like your idea of sketching from memory too. I am hoping that sketching from life will help me with my imaginary sketches. Enjoy your weekend as well! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great idea Jill, you will have your nature journal filled in no time with all of the beautiful offerings in your part of the country. I’ll look forward to your posts and discoveries. Thanks for the heads up about the book. Have a beautiful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sharon. Yes, it is so beautiful this time of year here. I am excited to begin this journey of discovery! 🙂 Happy day to you, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your flowers Jill 🌹🌷🌻🌾
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Kim! So nice of you to stop by my blog! So happy you like my flowers, my friend! 🙂 I hope you are doing well!
LikeLike
I love your journal entry for the Yarrow!
12 yrs. ago I bought The Sierra Club Guide to Sketching in Nature by Cathy Johnson because I too have always wanted to keep a nature journal, but struggle with the sketching part. In addition I was home-schooling my teenage daughter that year. She picked Marine Biology for science and I was wanted her to keep an art journal for that subject. I was using the book as my teacher’s guide too. Daughter did much better with her journal than I did! 🙂
You and Charlie are inspiring me to dig out my book and read it again and start working on a Nature Journal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do hope you join in the fun, Deborah! 🙂 And I love Cathy Johnson’s art! Your book sounds really cool. I struggle with the sketching part too so decided to just give it a go! I have surprised myself with how calming it is to sketch from life. And how much I enjoy learning about different plants as I draw and paint them. 🙂
LikeLike
A fabulous idea….gosh I might have to try that…I have that yellow plant in my garden and now I know what it’s called, thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Vicki! Drawing from nature is really fun! I look forward to seeing what you create! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post just made my day, Jill!! 😃YAY! So thrilled I inspired you to do what you’ve always wanted to try! Hehe… and that book looks great! You page is beautiful! I’m thrilled to see the book fill up with beautiful goodness! 😍💕🎨🍃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Charlie! I’m looking forward to all my new discoveries in nature this month. Thank you for your idea and encouragement, my friend! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your idea of a nature journal. My journal has loads of nature sketches amongst the rest, but it is not a dedicated nature journal. I am thinking of doing one with my new gardens though. Mmm my have to make a new journal for that. Karen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Karen! I have several journals going at once so not just one for my nature sketches. I like variety! Lol! 😄 Plus, I like experimenting in different styles. I do like your idea of having one dedicated to one thing. And your garden idea sounds lovely. Do you make your own journals? I’d like to learn how to make my own. A friend made me the one I posted in this photo. Enjoy your day! 🎨💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Making journals is easy and great fun, plus you get to have exactly the paper you want. The best way to find out how to make one is Sealemon on YouTube. She has the best instructions on how to make them. Good luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Karen! I will check it out! 😃🎨💕
LikeLike
Pingback: Dye And Salt Nature Prints | Jill's Art Journal