Sketchnotes for Nature Journaling

Sketchnotes for
Nature Journaling

Thursday, Sep 15, 2022 at 2:45pm PDT

~ a workshop at Wild Wonder 2022 Online Conference

Give your nature notes a boost with a form of visual note-taking called sketchnoting, a fabulously fun technique used to transform simple notes into rich and memorable visual summaries. This hands-on workshop covered basic practices such as developing a visual vocabulary, simple lettering techniques, structuring information, and tips on using color effectively. Though sketchnoting is useful for many kinds of notes, this session pays special attention to use in a nature journaling context.

Thanks to all the participants who contributed, and huge thanks and shout-out to the events team: JJ, Anne Marie, Jane, and Roseann who made sure the session was smooth and participatory. #thebestteam

Go to session on Sched

For decks & templates, visit the Presentation Deck section.

For resources and attribution, visit the Resources section.

Session Materials

Activities used:

Medium black marker
(not too thick, not too thin)
Medium grey marker
(If you don’t have one, a dull pencil can work.)
Light colored highlighter
(any color or thickness)
Sketchbook or blank paper (4-5 sheets)
Printout of templates (link below)
Printout of Sketchnoting Nature Playbook (optional)

Templates:
* All templates are in one file that includes:

Activity Sheet, Artemisia Douglasiana.
Designed to be printed in advance and looked over to become familiar with what’s there.
Visual Vocabulary sheets (3 pages.)
So simple, these can be drawn on blank paper or in a sketchbook.

Download template file (pdf, 381k)

Sketchnoting Nature Playbook
This is a 4-page file of summary information covered in the session, including visuals to use as reference.

You can download and print the playbook if you like. It's optional.

Download Playbook (pdf, 725k)

Online Gallery

Note: The gallery is open for posting through the close of Wild Wonder (Sun Sep 18, midnight Pacific Time.)

View the collaborative gallery

Presentation Deck

The presentation deck is available in the Presentation section.

View presentation

About the facilitator:
Hi, I'm Kate. I'm a visual journaler, sketchnoter, and independent naturalist with a rambunctious and sketchnivorous visual practice; I believe that looking closely and drawing the natural word makes for a life of curiosity and wonder.

I teach at the California College of the Arts, host the Sketchnotes-SF Meetup Group, and have illustrated a few books. I have a BA in studio art from Wellesley College, and once daily journaled the first 100 days of the growth of an avocado pit. You can find me on twitter and instagram at @katerutter.

My Nature Journal Kit

Some folks have asked what I use when journaling. In 2020 I made a full inventory with my favorite tips. You can view it below. (Note: at 4.2mb, this is a chunky file and may take time to download.)