Writing a blog about nature and gardening is really nature and garden journaling, but I've always wanted to practice real-time with sketching and art, too, but found the format intimidating, even though I loved drawing and art when much younger.
So an all-day workshop around using watercolor in your nature journaling, taught by
Elizabeth Ellison, a wonderful artist based in Bryson City, NC at the NC Arboretum, was a wonderful way to encourage myself towards some watercolor artistic expression.
I've never done watercolors before (aside from pen and ink colored ones), with only a dabble into watercolor pencils, but have always loved watercolor art (and wanted to do it.)
I had a totally fun day -- great to learn some techniques and play with color. I'm signed up for another class (much longer) in a couple of weeks. It'll be fun.
Here are some of my impressions of trees and mountains, and a container planting (our "subjects" today).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S9zrdKKOupWA_1KFxJ7K44C0u1R6jk8vG0BM34pu_XE_gkbf-82gmaGEpLPtch5uYTT-k_nFSildX-UWAfvqa-TdMBURtalzse2b8xajDOBQAr2krL9UvVTDEsfl1JWLDUFL3aTAWLjR/s1600/mountains+and+trees+watercolor+sketch.jpg) |
mountains, evergreen trees, and deciduous trees |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYd7dzFyls-QzoS_WHcysq_r0B7K-U0HraY15MDbbwJzJD_YDAJoJvN961QSEi5kcfkDj4Dcys_weSiaZbmmYK6OUdtffYipuWVJQ62oJrYbrCxrtk6kx5EdHG1qP4JyIS_4qaOFYs3qG/s1600/evergreen+and+deciduous+trees.jpg) |
evergreen and deciduous trees |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9Be1kvKhvnYUARGxMqvepkZWtHkjOO-I1ABzw2sV5R554PzcmxhgO6zVKTDdnETBHPaZvmtlJnGq-fVsUMcGc6CvmhFYdOhvTuOYlaTMOIuR0uo3LchKULL2d6jT4rLP7betLWYJd4Zd/s1600/container+watercolor+sketch.jpg) |
inspired by a container planting! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS8akedtJ5x9mycjfHmqGluk0lD0G6fPyDRqZzw8zFj1THMjaZY84PbYzplJ93lODA-J-RHkLY5IqHRxTewLYbY39krkXvnP5xaw86ygmsU_LD1sz9SkZ32DeV5LyICMJ2XWHtdW1_9Oi/s1600/watercolor+sketches.jpg) |
heading off with (pristine) art supplies |
It shouldn't be intimidating to you---your work is quite good! I have kept a nature journal on and off for years. I find it a really good way to ID and learn the wild plants around me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Lisa, and inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, you inspire me!
ReplyDelete