I’ve been thinking a lot lately about psychological well-being, probably because the pandemic is slowly chiseling away a lot of my carefully learnt coping strategies for difficult life situations. It’s a real challenge – especially in the winter months.
And yet, every time I put pencil to paper, or hold up my pair of binoculars and take notice of the birds outside, or raise my camera, my worries seem a bit farther away and I’m just focused on the weird and wonderful life out there. In short, I feel much less stressed, my motivation to make art comes back, and I just feel more positive all around when I investigate one of nature’s small or big mysteries.
Taking the time to look at nature, figuring out how it might work, how it’s built, and to notice how beautiful it is, never stops to fascinate me. Whether it’s an encounter with crows in the park, or studying the pollination strategy of orchids in the middle of winter, or taking a closer look at lichen on a rock – there is so much to see and learn about.
Sketching as a way to explore the world
Sketching nature, for me, is connected to perceiving and understanding nature. It’s like the second step in that chain of activities. I notice people often need a bit more energy to integrate sketching into their routine, maybe because it’s a bit less direct as an approach, there are more materials involved, and you need a basic skill-set for drawing (which is very attainable!). But as an observation tool, I feel sketching works like a shortcut to understand a subject – when you’re drawing something, you need to study it very closely to make sense of it on paper.
This process of recording things visually, making pencil marks or brushstrokes, and adding notes is a good process, even if a sketch doesn’t entirely succeed on its own – it’s not about how pretty a sketch looks. Of course in illustration and art-making we often focus on this (and surely enough this job requires me to put out both aesthetically pleasing and scientifically correct drawings), but the sketchbook is for studying, practicing, experimenting and working through ideas. Don’t let all the pretty pages I show in my sketchbook tours fool you – I don’t show every single page, and for some drafts I use loose sheets of paper.
Sketching for mental well-being
Last year I’ve read a really interesting book called “Bird Therapy” by Joe Harkness. The book expands on the topic of mental well-being and birding, and as the author tells his (sometimes heart-breaking) personal story, he shares all kinds of wonderful bird encounters. As he explores the therapeutic benefits of bird-watching, I thought that a lot of it was familiar to my nature sketching and birding activities.
Both of these activities, birding and sketching, usually happen outdoors (at least partly), that’s a big positive factor for mental well-being. But even the view from the window can take away your thoughts from rumination, from uncertainty and stress. For birding and for sketching, you take notice of the world around you, you are in the moment, you focus your observation and train your patience, you become more inquisitive. Maybe you even form new connections with other people through these activities (I know, it’s all difficult right now with in-person meetings, at least around here). Bird-watching and sketching are both processes in which you learn a lot over time. All of these are factors for mental well-being. I think combining birding and photography can have a similar effect, or for that matter, sketching or photographing any subject in nature.
What I think is especially great is that the positive effects of observing nature and sketching are cumulative. One informs the other. Both activities, either on their own or combined, have helped me countless times to calm down, to forget about stressful events in my life, to refocus on the good aspects of life, and to reconnect with what is most important for me: nature in all of its shapes and forms, and making art and recording what I see. It really helps to ground me, and I suppose that’s why I keep doing it and keep telling everyone to try it out through this blog.
I hope you all are doing well out there, and I hope you can find the time to do things that are good for you.
What’s your experience with birding and/or sketching as a way to help your mental well-being?
Well expressed! I feel the same.
Thank you Rhoda!
I started a nature journal in 1998 when i was Homeschooling my children. In fact i bought each of my 4 their own and we went out in nature looking for something to draw often. I’m 55 now. All my children are grown and married except the one we recently lost to suicide 2.5 years ago at 26. I have 5 grand children and still have my hubby after 35 years. I’m a birder and i love plants and the outdoors. I stumbled upon your blog and I’m really enjoying it. I pulled out my old journal and I’ve started it back up with my backyard bird visitors. It’s very therapeutic. I loved This article today. Thank you ❤️
Thank you for sharing this Caren. I’m glad you’re still journaling!
This is lovely. I always find sketching is a sort of meditation for me for sure. I don’t sketch birds, but really I find when I’m focused on drawing anything it helps my mental health. Love your bird drawings and sketchbooks. Thanks!
It definitely works with any subject, not just birds. Good to hear you’ve made similar experiences. Thank you for sharing Kate!
Me gusta mucho su reflexión sobre lo que la observación, el dibujo, la fotografía, o incluso pienso yo que cualquier actividad y sobre todo si es al aire libre beneficia a nuestro pensamiento. Hoy en día es muy fácil dejarnos llevar del pensamiento negativo y más cuando muchas veces te encuentras en una situación de soledad qué te hace pensar negativamente, y el estar ocupado beneficia para que todas esas “negruras” no te coman.
Incluso aunque trabajes también puedes sentirlas, sobre todo si trabajas en un hospital.
Todo eso hizo que me apasionara la idea de volver a dibujar ya conocer páginas como la suya.
Un abrazo, cuídese y siga enseñándonos estas cosas bonitas y sobre todo a recordar que la naturaleza nos rodea y que observarla nos hace aprender.
Thank you very much Martha, and keep on drawing and exploring nature!
Your reflections on nature, through words and intuitive sketching always brightens my day and outlook on the world. I completely agree. Nature journaling is my go-to escape for dissolving negative thoughts and getting lost and found in nature. I always thoroughly enjoy your posts, videos and do love your journal art. Thanks so much for sharing Julia. May you have an incredible day!
Thank you so much Barb for your kind words! I’m glad to hear that nature journaling works against negative feelings for you, too.
This is so well spoken Julia! And inspiring. Thank you for taking the time to write about it. For me, it also doesn’t matter how frequently I engage in the process. I go months without sketching a single thing. But then I get the urge and no matter how small of a sketch I manage to complete, it always re-energizes me. Again, thanks for this great post!
Thank you for sharing Janet, and for your kind words!
You are a true naturalist! Thanks for sharing. Love your sketchbook!
Thank you Brenda, you’re so kind!
Julia,
Thank you. I am nearly 80 and am the caregiver for my wife. My wife’s illness coupled with the pandemic has shrunk our world. I find that I need those moments of sketching and watercolor painting, especially plein air work. That bit of time alone every few days really helps me deal with life and helps to realign my outlook.
Thank you Lee for sharing your story. It really moved me, my parents are in a similar situation. You have my highest respect that you find the energy to sketch and paint while caring for your wife. This short window of time away from a tough situation is really important and vital. I wish you two all the best, and I hope there will be ways again for you to experience more of the world and of nature.
Hi Julia,
I’ve really gotten more into bird watching and photography this year and I really love it. I love being outdoors and watching how our environment changes throughout the seasons. You inspire me to try and translate some of my bird photographs into art work. Thanks for your blogs—I love reading them!
Eileen
That sounds wonderful, Eileen! I too love bird photography, although I‘m not that good and use it more a reference for my sketches. Definitely give bird drawing a try, it’s worth it!
Thank you Julia!
You’re welcome Sandra!
A lovely post and I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiment about nature sketching! I discovered nature journaling almost 2 years ago due to the stay-at-home time and it has added such joy to my days! I spend time often on my garden bench which sits along our back fence facing into the greenbelt where there are a gallery of birds and an animal pathway for coyotes, bobcats, bears, raccoons and owls! Even if I am not sketching (I usually sketch plants mostly), I enjoy observing the birds and listening to their chirps and songs. I can’t imagine how quiet it would be without the ever present bird songs! Thank you for sharing your post and I have put Bird Therapy on my ever-growing wishlist of nature books!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful scene with us, Karten, I can imagine being right there with you. I hope you’ll enjoy the book!
I signed up for the bird class but how do I log on to the class.
I’ve sent you an email Sally!
Hi Julia,
thank you for putting this into words – I’ve been thinking about that connection myself lately. For me Nature Journaling and sketching slows me down, brings me into my body, the present moment, my senses. The place where I start to be in awe and wonder again instead of thinking “yeah, I know…”.
It has so much potential for growth and healing – as does nature.
Wunderschöne Feiertage und einen guten Übergang ins Neue Jahr – möge es ein gutes für dich werden!
Ayoka
PS: Irgendwie bekomme ich seit einer Weile keine Newsletter mehr von dir (den Link zu diesem Blog-Post habe ich von Anne Butera’s Newsletter) – bin ich aus der Liste gefallen oder hast du länger nix mehr geschickt?
Thank you dear Ayoka for putting it so well!
Dir auch eine schöne winterliche Zeit und wie ich hoffe ein schönes nächstes Jahr. 🙂
An sich schicke ich nach wie vor regelmäßig Emails, vielleicht gabs da technischen Schluckauf. Versuch es mit einfach noch mal neu anmelden. 🙂
Thank you Julia, I always enjoy your e mails. When the first lockdown started and my art class stopped I was determined to carry on drawing and painting and in fact I have done far more than I did when going to my class! My parents gave my brother and sister and I our love of birds and my dad was a wonderful photographer and I have many of his photos of birds. Hope you have a happy Christmas.
That’s wonderful that you were able to continue your art studies even more intensely! And what a great birding family you are. All the best to you too!
Julia, I am so inspired by this blog. My boy with special needs really enjoys reading your blog and asks to go on nature hikes so he can draw like you.
Bindu, that is so lovely to hear. 🙂 Say hello to your boy from me, and I hope you can enjoy many walks in nature in this year!
Lovely post, Julia! I find that drawing (and any kind of creative work) allows my mind to shift & focus on good things — art gives me the space to enjoy the process of making marks & following my curiosity.