A Quick Guide to Nature Journaling in Fall

Nature journaling is an easy and accessible way to connect with nature anywhere and everywhere. From beautiful landscapes to a leaf on the sidewalk, you can capture and explore every element of nature with a piece of paper and something to draw with. Here’s how: 

Soak in Your Surroundings   

When you’re out in nature, don’t only observe with your eyes, but with all your senses. Head to any outdoor space, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. Before you begin drawing, take a deep breath and smell the damp earth, the soft mosses, and the crisp air.  

Close your eyes and listen for singing birds, rustling leaves, and chirping critters.  

Feel the brisk breeze on your skin, run your hands along the rough bark of an oak tree, and feel the two sides of a fading fern–is one side smooth and the other scratchy?  

Start Small & Simple  

Now that you have taken a moment to soak in your surroundings, zoom in on an object near you and carefully investigate its intricate features. Stationary objects like mushrooms, acorns, and foliage make for great subjects since they won’t be running away when you get close. 

Put all your observations on the page using words, numbers, and drawings. Start by sketching the general shape of your item. You can draw it to scale or get creative and change the size. 

Focus on unique elements like colors, features, and textures. Is there a pattern to the coloring? Does it have ridges or bumps? Is one side different than the other?  

Write down any questions you have about your item and use them to help you investigate and capture it on paper. 

Try a "Quick" Landscape  

You’ve tackled drawing a single item but perhaps you’re feeling daunted by sketching an entire landscape. Dip your toes into the world of landscapes with a "Landscapito," which is a 5 to 10-minute thumbnail landscape sketch. 

First, draw a small 3x5-inch frame on your paper and choose a section of landscape to focus on. 

Identify and draw a focal element that you can use to anchor your sketch, like a bird nesting box in a field, a large tree trunk, or a mushroom on the forest floor.   

Find the major shapes (circles, triangles, squares, ellipses) in the foreground (front), middle, and background of your framed scene. Starting in the foreground, quickly draw the major shapes you see. If it helps, lightly draw a line across the frame that represents the fore, middle, and background.   

Don’t try to include too much detail. This sketch is not about creating a finished masterpiece, it’s more about teaching you to better see the landscape in front of you.   

Once you finish, take a step back and see how your drawing fits in with the whole landscape in front of you.  

Continue Your Journey 

Spending time out in nature, slowing down, and being present, even for just a few minutes, is restorative, fun, peaceful, and can boost your physical and mental health. Now that you have tips to begin your nature journaling journey, try it out on your own or join us at one of our upcoming programs!