Getting Started With Nature Journaling - Tools and Tips

In this video I show you how to get started with your nature journal on a practical level. You don’t need a lot of materials!
Read more in this blog post series:
Sketchbook:
Tools (watercolor field kit & pens)
Practical tips:

Thank you for watching!
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Connect with me:

[thelaughingfoxx]

Thank you for your inspiration Julia! Your channel makes me get back into my sketches. Today I am picking up a new sketch book. ❤️

[lunasea]

Your white crayon idea is great! All your little suggestions are awesome. Really appreciated ❤️ Thank you for sharing ma'am!

[jimbolt]

Thanks for doing a video on the practical aspects of creating a nature journal. It helps to have the advantage of your experience. I like the idea of the insulated pad. It’s compact and looks like it would make even the hardest rock bearable!

Insect repellent is becoming a necessary part of days in the field here in my part of the States, not just for pesky mosquitoes but because of the proliferation of deer ticks, which carry Lyme disease. I picked up a deer tick a few weeks ago and just completed a course of antibiotic as a preventive measure.

[connieebinger]

Great tips Julia! Especially lovevthe mat to sit on, great idea!

[AyaSmith]

I would love to know more about the actual process of your reference to painting.. do you take photos of your subjects? How are you getting such good views of birds or mice? Or are you adding that in from internet-found references later? I especially want to ask because I love nature journaling but there are some awkward elements - I also would like to know, if you sketch and add color later.. how do you decide accurate values? Much thanks :) I am inspired by your work 💗

[naturesketches]

Thank you for this very helpful video!! I love your super minimalist kit, very practical.

[kathybrenneman]

Hi Julia,
Thank you so much for this video. I was just trying to figure out what to put in a field kit. Since the weather it is warming up you want to get out to draw and paint. The one thing you forgot was sunscreen, I can't live without it. Because of my meds I burn up. Last year I invested in a cheap beach umbrella to stick in the ground for when I want to make a day of it. I keep it in the trunk of the car and it comes in very handy. I also use a collapseable camping cup for a water basin if I'm using my sable travel brushes instead of my water brush with cap. I also have a small piece of the Old Masters soap. Good for everything. I made a nice pad to sit on years ago in girl scouts and still use it. Micron pen, pencils, eraser, brushes, sketchbook, bottle of water, mister bottle of water for paints, paper, paints, and me. I carry a little caddy with plastic cups in in to sort my goodies and keep them under control. Thanks for this video, it's great!
Kathy B. (Fairylady0227) 💜

[silvinanoeliaart]

Hi Julia! for painting outside with watercolor or mix media I bring the brushes with water tank, same as those you have, also a little tin box with charcoals (4 or 5 colors) and watercolor simple set of 5 colors too, a pencil, eraser and a fine nib permanent marker, sometimes I bring color pencils.

[kimsargeant]

Thank you for everything and for the environmental issue of paints as contaminants in particular. I am concerned that many people don’t think of this.

[brucemaatta]

Thanks Julia - great video. I have been a journaler for quite a time and I too use the pentel waterbrushes. Love them. My kit looks much the same as yours. Nothing beats a sunny day out seeing what nature has to offer - kind cold in my part of WI this time of year though. Do you go out in the winter? I have had my water freeze up on me before. Keep the good videos coming.

[Gun-Britt_Creates]

How did you do that sketchbook? So nice!!

[lynda]

Thank you for sharing this informative and helpful video. Your suggestion of a small insulating mat is a great idea!
Again thank you and much appreciated :-)

[tatayakka]

why are most of the comments so long??