Today I have a really detailed sketching demo for you, I take you through the entire process of sketching a double page in my nature journal, from basic sketch to color.
The video ended up being quite long, as I recreated a great autumn day outside in my sketchbook – encounters with ravens, starlings and other birds, an old farmhouse and many other interesting finds. I didn’t have a lot of time for sketching while I was outside, but I managed to take some photo references, and I also included a bit of extra footage from this beautiful day.
When you can’t sketch on location, it’s also really important to use your memory and imagination to lock the place in your mind. This will help you later to create a more convincing sketch. Of course it’s always more fun to sketch from life, but these days I’m taking everything as it comes – I’m glad for every bit of time spent in the countryside, and when that means I have to sketch later, then that’s ok.
Here’s the video: Nature sketching session: birds, mushrooms and a landscape
Let me know if you enjoy these longer videos with lots of different sketches and my commentary.
Loved watching your process and appreciated hearing your thought process as you went. Thank you for making a potentially intimidating process less so. Smiles!
Thank you Rose!
Vielen Dank für dieses spannende Video. Die verschiedenen Teile geben einen schönen Eindruck von der Wanderung. Aus dem Schopftintling soll man übrigens wirklich Tinte herstellen können – licht- und dokumentenecht. Einfach den Hut in ein Marmeladenglas legen, und er zerfällt zu Tinte. Nichts überstehen lassen, sonst hat man schwarze Flecken!
Ich habe es aber selbst noch nicht ausprobiert.
Grüße
Ellen
Sehr gern Ellen, freut mich dass dir das Video gefallen hat! Das mit der Schopftintlingtinte habe ich neulich auch zum ersten Mal gehört, vielleicht probiere ich das noch mal, wenn ich welche finde, und falls der Geruch aushaltbar ist. 😉
Thanks for sharing your process and this really beautiful nature journal spread. My take from this is that I don’t have to sketch on the spot, I can do it later at home from pictures, and that is ok. Still I try to take as many notes and quick sketches on the spot as I can to pay more attention, but I can refine the drawing and paint it at home if I don’t have time during the walk. Thanks for sharing again.
Yes exactly. While obviously the point of sketching in nature is..well, sketching in nature, but that doesn’t have to keep you from sketching at home from photos, if you can’t manage otherwise. Color and light and mass ob objects will always be a bit different.
Randall here from Kentucky USA Appalachian Mountains. Thanks so much for your video it is helpful and inspirational as well. Look forward to more of your videos.
Thanks, that’s good to hear Randall!
Really enjoyed watching the video and the way you composed the page. Thank you.
You’re welcome, I’m glad to hear you liked the video!
Thank you, Julia, for this longer video. I found it very helpful to see the entire process, especially the pencil sketching of layout and text blocks.
Hello Julia…i was mesmerized listening to your process as your page developed. It is very informative and inspiring! What an effective way to demonstrate the movement of the bird swarms! .. May I ask what brand is that waterproof ink with the stopper top? Thanks for all you share…I greatly appreciate it!
Hi Karen, I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the video! The ink is Rohrer & Klingner Drawing Ink – but any other waterproof ink should work as well. 🙂