A Wild Braid Nature Journaling

More tree sketches. In my mind I’ve been categorizing them as “from a photo.” Until recently, I’ve not really appreciated how photos act as view finders. It can be challenging to find a focus when sketching “in the wild.” Photos help with focus and framing!

I very rarely draw from photos but since the weather has not been very pleasant these past few days, I decided pics were my best option!

I think Kiku doesn’t care as long as he can participate in some way. 😉

For this sketch I used water soluble pencil by Derwent. I like to say to myself, “monochrome is the overthinkers friend” because it helps eliminate so many decisions that can bog down the process of sketching a scene!

Want more of my go-to strategies for simplifying trees in your nature journal? I have a workshop in June at Swoon City. Space will be limited to 8 so sign up for my newsletter to know when it goes live.

Two of my favorite ways to nature journal: monochrome landscapes en plein air and smooshing plant directly on my journal page.

Want to start nature journaling this Spring! Join me this Saturday, March 28th from 4-6pm venue: . Registration is through Eventbrite. Follow the link in my bio! Tickets are $45.

Prepping a couple of handmade sketchbooks . I try to have one or two of these books in different formats in my sketching bag. It makes it easy to do small, fast sketches while out. Some of my favorite sketches have been done in the time it takes to fill the gas tank.

For Seattle locals: I’ll be teaching this easy no-sew book this coming Saturday, March 28, as part of my Beginning A Nature Journal workshop. Space is limited to 6 and there are a few spots left! Hope to see you. Better yet, bring a friend!

Tickets are $45 per person. 4-6 pm at the C & P in West Seattle.

More details and registration on Eventbrite! Follow the link in my bio for easier navigation to the registration page.

So many cold and rainy days lately and I’ve decided that painting from inside of the car suits me just fine. Landscape 2 is unfinished.

White gel pen on toned paper! Very satisfying.

White mushroom is called a fibercap. The mullusc shell is a magogany clam.

Did you know there are freshwater mussels? Not me! …until twice in one weekend and at two different freshwater systems I came across a similar shell. At first I thought maybe someone brought their dinner to the river/stream? But a lone shell? So i checked with iNaturalist and lo! Western Pearlshell Mussel was the ID, a species of freshwater mussel native to the PNW!

The two locations were Cedar River in Renton and a creek in Arlington.

In PNW even in winter some plants decide to flower!

This plant is called Spotted Lady’s Thumb, Persicaria maculosa. I found it growing in a field near the place we play with Kiku (responsible for the teeth marks on my pen!).



’sthumb