Art Skills Classes

Each of our Art Skills classes focuses on learning to draw, paint and/or add images to our nature journals. Classes average one hour and are adapted to the appropriate age level and experience level of your participants. Workshops are offered in-person or via Zoom. This list is a sample of the workshops Northern Rockies Nature Journaling offers. Contact us if you have specific requests for workshops.

BASICS:

Drawing 101

Watercolors 101

Watercolor Pencils

Perspective

Foreshortening

ART SUBJECTS:

Icicles

Water Drops

Moving Water

Backgrounds

Aspen Trees    

Reflections

Journal Page Décor

Night Skies

Landscapes

These classes are basic drawing and painting classes helpful for the nature journaler trying to create realistic portrayals of things they observe in nature.

Drawing is a skill. Everyone can draw. Learn the fundamentals of drawing what you see, not what you think you see. This is a great class for beginners and an excellent review for everyone else who wants to draw in a nature journal.

A basic introduction to using watercolor paints including using tools, applying pigment to paper, and exploring color mixing. A wonderful opportunity to notice the colors of nature and replicate them in your journal.

Learn the basics of perspective drawing that allows you to make the objects in your sketches recede into the distance, from buildings to mountains to rivers. Perspective applies to landscapes as well as nearby objects you include in your journal.

Rather than focusing on specific art skills, the classes listed below are about how to draw and/or paint (ie use art) specific natural objects in your nature journal.

Watercolor pencil is a highly portable method to apply color to a journal. Draw in the same way you would with colored pencil and then use a variety of simple techniques to apply water as you record observations with accurate color.

Ever tried to draw a branch of a tree that’s coming toward you? It can be challenging! You know that branch is long, but it appears short. Why? How do I draw a tree that goes straight up into the sky? How do I draw the leaf that is pointing right at me? This class focuses on how to translate 3-dimensional objects into 2-dimensional objects in your nature journal.

Study the fascinating and ever-changing world of icicles! Learn how icicles are formed, how they emerge and change, and when conditions are best for icicles to form. From color to shape, reflections, and water droplets, this is a fun journaling class when the ice forms.

How do water droplets form? How can we sketch water drops that look transparent and real? This class focuses on ways to journal easy, colorful water droplets on icicles, leaves, fruit, and everything in between.

Depicting moving water in our journals can be a challenge, but there are tips and tricks to sketch rivers, streams and oceans without tons of detail. This session covers the way water moves around objects, how it captures sunlight, and various materials to use to simulate moving water.

How do we create an interesting background in our journals without overshadowing our subject? This session explores when to paint backgrounds, colors to complement subjects, techniques to easily create interest in backgrounds, and how to add backgrounds around objects.

Populus tremuloides, a tree commonly known as quaking aspen, makes a unique rustling sound when the wind moves the leaves. Why? Aside from their wonderful gold color in autumn, what makes these trees so special? Learn about them while journaling their colorful leaves and light grey bark.

Ever noticed a reflection across a lake or even in a puddle? Let’s look at how reflections are different from shadows and learn how to paint reflections on both still and moving water in our nature journals.

Sometimes it is fun to decorate our journal pages. Borders, painted blocks, waxy text, calligraphy, added photos and more, can provide interest, focus our page content, and create a sense of completion or wholeness to our pages. This class explores a wide variety of border styles and decorations for our journal pages.

Although we don’t often go out at night, night skies are rich with color variations, stars, constellations, and even northern lights. This session focuses on how to create night skies in our journals without having to brave the cold.

The Northern Rockies are full of stunning landscapes that we love to include in our journals. Learn tips to making mountains appear the correct size, for trees to recede into the distance, and for rivers to lie flat.

If you are interested in learning more or in registering for a class for your group or organization, please complete this form.