On Feb 21, 2020, I gave a lecture at the Gateway Museum, Chico CA on attention and curiosity and the art and science of Nature Journaling. A highlight of the evening was a conversation with 16-year-old nature journaler Fiona Gillogly. Special thanks to Taz, coordinator of the Chico Nature Journal Club for this video. Read More
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How to use Watercolor Pencils with a Waterbrush (video)
Watercolor Pencils are a great way to add color to your field sketches. Applying the pencils is intuitive and the waterbrush makes field application easy. However, watercolor pencils can perform in unexpected ways that can be frustrating. In this workshop, you will learn how to work with watercolor pencils to get a variety of effects Read More
Douglass Iris with Watercolor Pencil Step-by-Step
Watercolor pencil drawings work best in three stages. First lay in your shadows, values, and hues with a coat of pencil. Blend the colors with water. Once the paper is dry, add details and crisp up the edges with a second coat of colored pencil. Add details at the end of the drawing so they Read More
Northern Parula with Watercolor Pencils Step-by-Step
A key to success with watercolor pencils is to apply a base coat of local color (the hue of the object) with dry pencils. Then add water to smooth and blend the colors. Let the page dry, then add shadows and details with dry pencils. The water is applied in the middle of the drawing, Read More
Earth News Journal Interview with Jerry Kay (audio)
Interview with Jerry Kay about the impact of keeping a nature journal on attention and nature connection. Read More
How to build a journal page (video)
Kristin Meuser presents her step by step process of building a nature journal, page element by element, as you travel through your nature experience. Where to begin? She starts by creating a flexible grid which encourages areas for a page title, conditions notation, color matching dots, notes, and poetry/prose, close up sketches as well as Read More
How to Paint with a Waterbrush (video)
The waterbrush is an amazing little tool that revolutionized the way I paint, sketch, and journal. They make the logistics of watercolor, watercolor pencils, water-soluble pencils, or water-soluble pen washes easier in the field. In this class, you will explore watercolor techniques that will help you quickly add color and value to your sketches. learn Read More
John Muir Laws at the 2019 Wild Wonder Conference
John Muir Laws, aka Jack, is an award-winning scientist, educator, and author, who helps people forge a deeper and more personal connection with nature through keeping illustrated nature journals and understanding science. His work intersects science, art, and mindfulness. Trained as a wildlife biologist and an associate of the California Academy of Sciences, he observes Read More
Fiona Gillogly at the 2019 Wild Wonder Conference (video)
Fiona Gillogly, age 16, is an avid artist, birder, nature journaler, writer, and a passionate advocate for nature. On her 13th birthday, Fiona met John Muir Laws and discovered nature journaling, and that moment changed her life. She has since created more than 1,600 nature journal pages. Fiona loves to be in nature, look for Read More
Paint a Blue Jay step-by-step
Paint a scientific illustration of a Blue Jay with watercolor in this step-by-step demonstration. Read More