How to start a nature journal.

Meet the master of nature journaling — John Muir Laws. Author, artist, biologist, and teacher. He's started so many people on their nature journaling path.
And, of course, he teaches at Sketchbook Skool.

[abigailhumes]

Thank you! At 74 yrs. old, I began recently sketching. My favored mediums are pen, pencil, and colored pencils. I never thought of a journal! My daughter is a true artist who paints and sells her work. I am a beginner having fun, but who would like to do it better. I am enjoying the journey. Your video and seeing your nature journal have set something on fire in me! Thank you.

[SDW]

Always enjoy John Muir Laws. When I began drawing, I started with birds because no matter how bad it was, you could always recognize a bird. lol That’s how I discovered JML and his videos teaching the structure and physiology of a bird.

[mikaelahtee]

‘Hey, this isn’t a drawing, this is a diagram’ - 🤯 what a brilliant piece of advice

[marye]

In 2016, while in my late 60's I came across JML's videos. That chance discovery changed my life ever since to one of Awe and Wonder -- EVERY DAY!

Eternally grateful for that. Even better, now in my mid-70's, I mentor kids in my family (or friends' families) in person or remotely. I've seen JML's approach transform children into "learning piranhas." Great cure for the loss of interest and enthusiasm for learning resulting from COVID limitations.

[LaLa_ArtGal]

I didn't know that Jack Laws is part of Sketchbook Skool!! Two of my favorite guys on the same screen!!

[michellek]

"Deep geeking out with the bird". I love it! :)

[SN-szkw]

It just clicked who he is. 😂Wonderful. I have his terrific guide to nature drawing. And just requested his bird book from the library last week. 😊

[franzferdinand]

I've recently been stuck on a plateau and beating myself up for not being a 'good enough' artist. Found this channel just at the right time, reminding me that no matter how long I've been drawing that I'm still learning and practice makes progress, not anything else.

[JF-kvgm]

Isn't JML's nature journal incredible? So informative yet playful. I love the idea of making a design of the song that a bird is singing.

[cindysarpalius]

I love your idea about changing the way you think about your drawing. I keep reminding myself that I’m learning… and giving myself permission to not be terrific at something I’m just learning to do. It is helpful to me to take pictures so that lowers the pressure of capturing a moment.

[marnierose]

I love the way to turn it into a diagram as opposed to a realistic drawing... brilliant advice...thank you😊

[radhasrinivasan]

The concept of calling them diagrams .. awesome😀👌! That's going to help 😅

[Mariposa]

Everything about your channel is amazing, from your soothing voice and calm personality to the wonderful drawings and ideas, it is very relaxing, there is soo much to learn, I can’t get enough of your videos. Thank you for sharing such a great talent with the world.

[lorrainesaliba]

You and John Muir Laws are just great together ! Since you introduced the PodCasts I had never heard about JML but now I follow him as well and have learned so much from him regarding drawing and sketching animals, birds and so forth ! I am ever so grateful to you Danny as you have opened so many new horizons for me ! I am super happy to be finally using my pristine sketch books and making them much more lovable than just being there untouched ! I look forward to new stuff on your Channel ...always a pleasure to watch and learn !
Sending you and JJ my warmest regards... Lorraine 🤗🎨😁

[annacount]

This was fun! I’m going out right now to sit on the porch and observe the nests the wrens made! Chickadees and house finches too!

[BirgitSchultz]

I own John's book on nature journaling for many years now and it's a go to book again and again. This was a really inspiring interview and the pages shown are gorgeous! Thank you so much for this!

[laurend.statham]

I had to keep one of these things in Biology class back in high school. That was probably the thing that saved my grade since I enjoyed creating it so much!

[cuttlesquish]

I absolutely love this video! I can't wait to try this in my sketchbook practice. It's even giving me ideas for my journaling practice, too.

[GillianMorrison]

This discussion reminded me of the great Norman MacCaig. I think you both would resonate with his incredible observational poetry.

“An Ordinary Day, ” by Norman MacCaig

I took my mind a walk
Or my mind took me a walk–
Whichever was the truth of it.

The light glittered on the water
Or the water glittered in the light.
Cormorants stood on a tidal rock
With their wings spread out,
Stopping no traffic. Various ducks
Shilly-shallied here and there
On the shilly-shallying water.
An occasional gull yelped. Small flowers
Were doing their level best
To bring to their kerbs bees like
Ariel charabancs. Long weeds in the clear
Water did Eastern dances, unregarded

By shoals of darning needles. A cow
Started a moo but thought
Better of it–And my feet took me home

And my mind observed to me,
Or I to it, how ordinary
Extraordinary things are or
How extraordinary ordinary
Things are, like the nature of the mind
And the process of observing.

[erinlizzo]

Look for WONDER and BEAUTY. (And little, weird, mini mysteries ☺️) I’m very inspired by this video, can’t wait to get started! Thankyou!