I have a nature sketchbook that I love to add to each day, sometimes each week. At honeybee, each student has a sketchbook as well, and depending on the class and their interest and attention span, I used the time in different ways. Some classes found a prompt when they arrived in the morning and would do a quick inside sketcj or drawing based on the prompt. One class spent a month doing plein air paintings and learned from a professional local artist . Other classes have used clip boards and colored pencils and spent a little outside time doing a drawing. A couple classes have been less interested in quiet drawing and needed all the outside time I could offer just to run and yell and swing and move FAST. Each class had different needs and different strengths, and we adapt.

I always enjoy the time I take to walk around my yard or my neighborhood each day. I always notice something new- a bird, a slug, a snail trail, a leaf with interesting vein patterns or a rock with a perfect white stripe. I like to document these things in my sketchbook.

I use Canson XL watercolor spiral bound notebooks. They are 7x10” and a great size to carry around, and a good thick paper. I also like to take a picture to look at later, I usually don’t finish my sketch or painting when I’m outside.

We are also joining the Vashon Nature Center and their “Everyone Counts” campaign. We will choose a spot to sit and observe on the same day each week, and take comfort and pride in the idea that hundreds of people are also sitting down, slowing down and observing their surroundings.

We have watercolor sketchbook kits available to help get your started, or you can use what you have. Even just a piece of paper and a pencil is a great way to observe and engage with nature.