Favorite Books for Nature Journaling

It's Thursday again, and I'm so glad you could join me.  I'm cracking open the door to my library today.  I'm an Amazon Affiliate, so buying through these links helps support Thursday's Brush.  Be sure to check out the second hand sellers for a bargain, and remember that most of the authors provide a wealth of free information on their websites so you can preview their style.

Art Technique Books

Newbie?  Claudia Nice's original book on keeping a sketchbook journal is out of print, but nearly new copies are available for under $5.  Covers beginning drawing, pen and ink, pencil, watercolor, and loads of technique.  An inspiration reference if you've kept a journal for a couple of years.



 If you're familiar with drawing, inking, and watercolor basics, choose this book instead.  Hundreds of textures explained and illustrated step-by-step.  When I grow up, I want to art like Mrs. Nice!




Two of Gordon McKenzie's reference books in one cover.  Hands down the most valuable watercolor book I own.  Geared to fine art, most of his work is multiple washes on huge sheets of paper.  Don't let that scare you off -- all of the techniques can be adapted for journal work.  No pen and ink work is included, but several chapters on composition are included.

Field Guides

I prefer a field guide that's biome based instead of carrying a separate book for flowers, trees, insects, etc.



Colorful, simple fandex guides are a fun tool if you're working with elementary aged children or if you're new to nature yourself.  They make great stocking stuffers, too.

Nature Journaling

If you purchase only one book for nature journaling, make it this one.  The gold standard.  Although based on creating a scientific, informational journal, the art lessons are some of the best anywhere.



This lovely book is out of print and available at a wide variety of price points.  Hannah Hinchman books are my ideal of what I want my own nature journals to be.  Widely available through interlibrary loan.

Illustrating nature was written for classroom use.  Primarily designed to teach informational (scientific) illustration.  Samples from the book as well as other workshop workbooks focusing on art technique are available on her website, natureworkspress.com




A definitive resource for informational nature journaling, and a favorite of most nature journalers.  As an investigative nature journaler, I was glad it was available at my local library.

Give us a peek inside your own library!  What are your favorite books and field guides?

Favorite Free Video Resources for Nature Journal Work

Mind of Watercolor  Join Steve Mitchell, a professional illustrator with over 30 years of experience, and his sidekick skull, Reese, for watercolor tips, techniques, and tutorials.  Lots of nature work and tons of fun. 

Watercolor Misfit  Carrie Luc seeks to educate and encourage others with her pen and watercolor classes.  Floral and cartoon work with step-by-step tutorials for finished pieces.  

Ashok Kosla  Ashok faithfully films and uploads all of John Muir Laws' nature journaling workshops full length.  Don't miss Laws' unique style as he teaches technique covering supplies, composition, and sketching tutorials for flora, fauna, and biome.  Beginner to Advanced in every video.  The sheer amount of info in these videos is mind boggling.

Cathy Johnson  Cathy has been keeping a journal and teaching since before I was born.  Her style is as simple and graceful as a haiku.  If you have a tendency to overwork, spend some time with Cathy's videos and on her website.

Gay Kraeger's Watercolor Journaling Class  Gay's video class introduced me to Mesh Joint Repair Tape as a can't-live-without journaling tool.   Learn loads of great tips for beautiful graphic design work in a journal.  Geared to beginners.

Karlyn Holman's Elegant Writer Tutorial  If you want to learn to create loose, artistic pieces from a simple nature illustration, don't miss this tutorial.  Buy the  Elegant Writer 4 Calligraphy Marker Sethere for a quarter the cost of a single marker in the hobby store.

Do you have a favorite video for nature journaling or water color?  Share it in the comments below! Note:  We will not be publishing art journal video links (layered journaling technique featuring gesso, acrylic, stamping, collage, etc.) at this time.

Well, hello there!

I'm glad you've chosen to come take a peek at my blog.  Please introduce yourself in the comments.

Who am I?

I'm a late beginner/early intermediate multi-media artist who prefers pencil, ink, and watercolor. I keep what Hannah Hinchman defines as an Investigative Journal:  

 It documents the outer world, but includes many unmeasurable and unnamed phenomena, like the effects of light, ways the seasons change, patterns and textures in nature. It goes outside the categories of the Informational journal and finds links between apparently dissimilar things. Thus it includes more of the person making it, because it’s up to that person to invent new categories. Art in this journal would look more like what we find in Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks.

I am by nature a researcher:  I collect and collate information into a usable form. Thursday's Brush will reflect that tendency -- you won't find a lot of new information or experimentation here.  You will find a reference library of videos, tutorials, articles, and even product reviews and recommendations.

Why another blog?

I want to create a comprehensive, searchable resource for myself and others who are seeking to grow their skill set in drawing, inking, and painting in a journal.  While I prefer to illustrate the natural beauty around me, I'm not afraid to pick the brains of other artists who prefer urban work, graphic design, or just plain doodling. A lot of free information exists for beginners, but after that, instruction becomes a scavenger hunt. If you have a tutorial or video you've found or created, feel free to send me the link and I'll consider adding it to Thursday's Brush.

That's Kind of A Weird Blog Name...

The name is a play on the poem that assigns character traits depending on which day of the week you were born.  Thursday's brush, like Thursday's child, has far to go. I've just started my journey as an artist, and I have a bit of wanderlust, too.