Explore the wildlife in your backyard or on your block like a naturalist. Learn to record observations using drawings and words. Find a slower pace of life as you deepen your relationship with the natural world. This class will be held outdoors at Blake Gardens.
Week 1: blind contour drawing
Week 2: shapes and patterns
Week 3: proportions and negative space
Week 4: contour shading
Week 5: start a collection
Week 6: ask questions
Required Materials:
- Blank journal or loose paper kept together on a clipboard. My favorite journal is Hand Book Paper Travelogue Watercolor Notebook (about $20 at dickblick.com)
- Pen and pencil. I like to use micron pens, size 02
- Ruler
You only need paper and pencil to get started with nature journaling. If you are interested in adding color, you can add more tools as you go along. You are welcome to borrow my materials to try out during class.
Optional Materials:
It's an investment to get professional grade pigments, but the student grade ones are pretty weak.
This is a good kit with professional grade pigments https://www.dickblick.com/items/qor-modern-watercolors-urban-sketch-set-of-6-half-pans/
This one would also be good, but you would still need a dark brown. https://www.dickblick.com/items/daniel-smith-half-pan-watercolor-set-sketcher-set/
My current set is one I made myself by getting an empty tin and filling it with half pans from a bunch of different brands. The pigments I have right now are Van Dyke brown, Sap Green, Pyrrol Orange, Alizarin Crimson, Quinacridone Magenta, Cerulean, Leaf Green, Lemon Yellow, and Cobalt Violet. I also have a small tube of white gouache.
-HB pencil
-pencil sharpener
-eraser https://www.dickblick.com/products/tombow-mono-smart-eraser/
-non photo-blue pencil https://www.dickblick.com/products/caran-dache-sketcher-non-photo-blue-pencil/
-water brush https://www.dickblick.com/items/pentel-aquash-water-brush-small/
-black ink brush pen https://www.dickblick.com/products/pentel-arts-pigment-ink-color-brush/
-grey ink brush pens https://www.dickblick.com/items/pentel-arts-water-based-color-brush-pen-gray/
-sakura pigma 01 https://www.dickblick.com/items/sakura-pigma-micron-pen-set-black-01-set-of-3/
-mixed media sketchbook https://www.dickblick.com/items/bee-paper-aquabee-super-deluxe-sketchbook-12-x-9-60-sheets/
-white opaque pen https://www.dickblick.com/items/molotow-one4all-acrylic-marker-1-mm-tip-signal-white-extra-fine-tip/
