Nature Sketchbook Look Through

Recently I have wanted to do more sketching outside. I always find nature so inspiring, but rarely take the time to record what I see. I really enjoyed my 100 Day Project, where I took a photograph of something I saw every day, so thought I’d continue with that idea. I took my drawing materials with me ‘on the go’ while walking the dog and visiting nearby places, so I always had the opportunity to draw. I have found that I enjoy working like this. It makes me notice what is going on around me and, especially with sketching, forces me to really take the time to look and focus on what I’m seeing.

It was predominantly a mark making project, but specifically working from real life (unlike previous mark making projects). I also wanted to work more with colour. My sketches ended up being a combination of colour, marks and more representative shapes. They were very quick studies, most took about a minute or less, but that allowed me to figure out the best and quickest way to represent what I was looking at. (Besides, my dog isn’t the most patient animal, so I was encouraged to move on quickly!)

I used a range of media including watercolour, chalk pastel, biro, pen and charcoal. I also tried to use more natural mediums like mud or dirt and applied it with sticks or rocks to create interesting marks.

I’m not used to sketching outside. I did start practicing while doing my Lake Districtsketchbook, but I had more time with those drawings than I did with these. I also had more of an intention to use those sketches to create a piece or body of work with, so I was more mindful while recording what I was seeing. This sketchbook that a little more relaxed and about the process of sketching from nature, rather than trying to generate ideas.

I have started a new project, since finished this one, to practice my drawing, because it is a skill I really want to get better at. I’m taking more time over these sketches and focusing more on best representing what I am seeing. In fact, I can see I have made some improvements already, but I’ll keep it to myself for now!