Keeping a nature sketchbook is a great way to practice Mindfulness and deepen your connection to your environment. Your sketchbook pages can record memorable weather, bird sightings, plant species, or commemorate a hike with a beautiful vista. You can make quick sketches with pen or pencil, or create detailed, colorful drawings and paintings in colored pencil or watercolor.

To me, there is nothing as wonderful as sitting in nature and painting in my sketchbook. When I get back home, I have a unique record of my experience that captures more than just the visible. As I flip through my sketchbook pages, I remember the sounds, smells and sensations I experienced that day, and I remember details of a species or scene in more detail than I would have if I had simply taken a photo.  

Materials

I suggest beginners start with pencil or pen. You can add color to your drawings and notes later.

As far as what kind of sketchbook to use, I suggest Pentalic Traveler Pocket Journal, Pentalic Aqua Journal, or Pentalic Watercolor Field Book. The second two are better for watercolor or watercolor pencils, and the first is best for pen and pencil or colored pencil. Test out some journals and see how the paper works for you.  

Some papers are thin, and certain media will bleed through to the other side of the page. If this is the case, you could always paint/draw on every other page.

Here’s a peek into my own nature journaling kit:

• Sketchbook
• Pen/pencils/watercolors/gelpens
• Clips or washi tape to hold pages open
• Eraser
• Water brush (for watercolors)
• Paper towel or absorbent cloth (for watercolors)
• Travel-size spray bottle filled with water (for watercolors)
• A pocket ruler
• A pouch or organizer to carry it all in

How To Begin

To begin, find a quiet spot in nature. This can be your own backyard, a local park, an abandoned lot, botanical garden, or a hiking trail.

Sit for a moment and get centered. Breathe slowly, listen to the sounds, notice the scents, and absorb the present moment with all of your senses.

Open your eyes. What do you see? What strikes you first?

Allow your eyes to become unfocused and continue breathing slowly. Keep noticing your surroundings, and let any intrusive thoughts drift away.

After a few moments, find something in your environment that catches your attention—a plant species, an insect, interesting clouds, a beautiful view, or the ripples on the water. Consider how much time you have. If you are pressed for time, drawing a leaf or flower may be a better choice than painting an entire scene.

Layout & Method

Next, choose an area on the page to fill with your chosen subject. The possibilities are truly endless.

I like to begin with a pencil sketch and then add watercolor, but for years I carried only a pen for black-and-white sketches. Beginners may want to start with pencil, adding more permanent materials such as pen and color once they are happy with their sketches and layout.

Sometimes I paint a single scene across two pages and add just a little text in one corner—or no text at all. Other times I sketch only in one corner of a page and fill the remaining space with journal notes. There is no “right” way. Try different approaches and discover what works best for you.

Text

Whether or not you add text is entirely up to you. Those who approach keeping a nature sketchbook as a scientific field journal may want to include the date, time, location, and other observational details. Others may prefer to let the artwork speak for itself. Here are a few ideas for information you might include on your pages:

• Date
• Time
• Location
• Wind speed
• Temperature
• Sounds
• Scents
• Observable flora and fauna
• Cloud identification
• Moon phase
• Current mood
• Local lore

Enjoy The Process

Above all, remember that there is no right or wrong way to keep a nature sketchbook. Some days you may fill pages with detailed paintings and careful observations. Other days you may jot down only a few notes and a quick sketch before moving on. What matters most is that you paused long enough to truly notice the world around you.

Over time, your sketchbook will become more than a collection of sketches and notes—it will tell the story of seasons passing, places you’ve explored, and the relationship you’ve built with the natural world. So bring your journal with you often, be curious, and allow each page to become a quiet conversation with nature. Nature has endless stories to tell—you only need to slow down long enough to notice them.

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