Nature Sketching & Journaling

Instructor:  Mary McAndrew

Class Type:  Outdoor Field Class/ Adult

Dates: Wednesdays 5/28, 6/4, 6/11,6/18

Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Cost:  $120 non-member/ $100 member

“Come Sketch with Me” by Mary McAndrew

Come walk with me in nature as we learn to observe, sketch, color and identify the natural world around us and create a nature journal sketchbook!  We’ll learn real ‘drawing from life’ techniques that will improve your artistic skills in any field.  Every week I’ll also introduce new subjects, tips on identifying them and how to look them up in a field guide.  We’ll learn techniques in pencil, ink, color pencil, watercolor pencil and watercolors and I’ll also introduce NEW materials on the market and how to use them.

Class Outline: 

Class 1.  Discuss “What is a Naturalist?”  We’ll look at real field sketchbooks, and learn how and what art supplies to pack for field sketching.  We’ll learn some basic drawing techniques then go out exploring. I will introduce flowers and plants this week; the basics of identification, how to look them up in a field guide and how to draw them.

Class 2. We’ll look at each others’ sketches from the week and review basic drawing skills.  I’ll introduce trees and leaves; drawing and identifying them.  We’ll learn how to use ink with a nib, brush or pen and creative techniques with them.  And we’ll learn another technique of ‘drawing from life’. 

Class 3. We’ll look at each others’ sketches from the week and review drawing skills we’ve learned so far.  I’ll introduce birds and bugs; how to indentify and draw them quickly.  We’ll learn how to work with color pencils and watercolor pencils in the field. We’ll learn more ‘drawing from life’ techniques and practice as we hike around exploring. (we’ll also learn how to draw from pictures using our new techniques)

Class 4. We’ll look at each others’ sketches from the week and discuss drawing skills we’ve learned, go over questions. We’ll learn how to do a simple landscape study using watercolor or watercolor pencils, and our new ‘drawing from life’ techniques.  We’ll go over creative ideas for continuing nature sketchbook journaling.

Contact the artist: Mary McAndrew (716)741-4544  mary@marymcandrew.com with any questions.

Materials: 

Class 1.  Sketchbook aprox. 6x9 or 8x10, # 2 pencil (or mechanical pencil), kneaded rubber eraser, regular white or pink eraser, a backpack / small bag to hold your materials.

Class 2.  Same as first class and fine point permanent ink marker (micron or sharpie), ink nib and nib holder, non waterproof ink in black or brown, old toothbrush, stiff brush (like bristle brush), small watercolor brush (round), very small jar of water (lightweight plastic is good).  (I will show all these supplies at the first class.)

Class 3.  Same as first class and fine point permanent ink marker (micron or sharpie), some color pencils and / or watercolor pencils.

Class 4.  Same as first class and watercolors or watercolor pencils. 

Click on Link Below to Download Application