Let's Paint Nature!
Hiking & Painting in Nature – Chicago
Category: watercolor sketching
Swallows and Striders on the Fox River Watercolor Sketch
As the river flows A flight of tree swallows swirl. Zooming up, down, sideways fast. But the water striders below, On water they twirl. Zooming front and back, side to side fast. Yesterday I had the chance to ride my bike along the Fox… Continue Reading “Swallows and Striders on the Fox River Watercolor Sketch”
Let’s Paint a Simple Summer Sketch
Let’s learn how to make a simple summer sketch for your nature journal! Yesterday I was able to get out to my favorite secret pond where I noticed tons of cup plants (Silphium perfoliatum) growing along the edge of the water. Cut plant is… Continue Reading “Let’s Paint a Simple Summer Sketch”
Breakfast on the Grill
This is a true story of love and provision. My husband is a truck driver. Wednesday, his truck broke down about an hour and a half away from home. Wanting to save money on a tow, I hopped in the car at 5 am… Continue Reading “Breakfast on the Grill”
Cup Fungi Watercolor
What a mouth-opening surprise I had when I found these cute cup fungi growing in my own yard! What’s so neat about these fungi? Why, let me explain their coolness. First, they look like tiny cups on the ground. Awwwwwww. Second, they want it… Continue Reading “Cup Fungi Watercolor”
Time for Skunk Cabbage – Watercolor
Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is the earliest ephemeral spring wildflower to appear. Yes, this odd plant is a wildflower! And I found it while hiking just yesterday. Actually, I found tons of them! Skunk cabbage is a very unique plant. It generates its… Continue Reading “Time for Skunk Cabbage – Watercolor”
Let’s Paint Deer Takes Flight Watercolor Sketch
Do you want to paint a quick watercolor sketch using only a few colors? Okay! Let’s go. Here are my reference photos taken at Hammel Woods in Shorewood, IL on a beautiful winter day. Step 1: Sketch out your road map. What do you… Continue Reading “Let’s Paint Deer Takes Flight Watercolor Sketch”
The Mute Colors of Winter – Watercolor
Immediately at the start of my hike, a single blue jay welcomes me with a loud reception. Smiling, I look ahead and notice something silver hanging from a branch…something out of place…something not of the woods… One silver ball. A simple gesture really, but… Continue Reading “The Mute Colors of Winter – Watercolor”
Autumn Storm Approaching – Nature Journal Club
You can hear the wheels of photosynthesis grinding slower. With every breeze carries with it a handful of leaves. They swirl past my ears. Mr. Bee, would you like to visit the goldenrod resting peacefully on the edge of a quiet pond? Or in… Continue Reading “Autumn Storm Approaching – Nature Journal Club”
The Importance of Keeping a Nature Journal
On its own this particular journal page is not that significant. It’s a recording of my encounter with a cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) in my front yard. But when you look closer, taking the time to create this page not only caused me to… Continue Reading “The Importance of Keeping a Nature Journal”
Let’s Paint a Simple Sloppy Sketch
When I speak with adults who want to paint but cannot seem to start there always seems to be the same reason why….. “It won’t look good.” Fear is a roadblock. Fear is also a liar. Fear is an active gremlin who convinces people… Continue Reading “Let’s Paint a Simple Sloppy Sketch”
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