Sketching is a fantastic tool for nature connection and wellbeing. But if we want to persuade more people to sketch nature, I believe we have to make sketching much more accessible.
Why? Because the beautifully composed pages of a nature journal can seem pretty unattainable when you’re busy, stressed and convinced you can only draw a stickman. And if you currently spend most of your life sitting indoors, staring at a screen, it may be a little optimistic to expect you to start keeping an annotated record of your nature observations.
This is why I decided to develop a new sketching practice, a practice that could help people of all ages connect with nature and enhance their wellbeing. I called it ‘green sketching’. I wanted to make sketching nature as enjoyable and unintimidating as possible by tackling the most common barriers to participation -- perceived lack of ‘talent’, time and nature expertise.
In practice, green sketching has ended up a hybrid of field sketching, nature journaling, mindful drawing, urban sketching and botanical drawing. It’s closely aligned with nature journaling, sharing many of the same values, not least the importance and rewards of careful observation. But there are a few key differences:
1. You don’t have to keep a dedicated journal
The aim of green sketching is to use the process of sketching to see and enjoy nature. The moment you pick up a pencil with the intention to sketch, you start noticing more beauty, colour and wonder.
It doesn’t matter whether you sketch in a sketchbook, on a scrap of paper, a Post-it note, or even a receipt. The less precious you about where you sketch (and what you sketch with), the more often you’ll find yourself sketching.
Of course, you may be inspired to start a traditional nature journal, but don’t worry if (like me!) you haven’t the time, inclination or discipline to keep a dedicated journal.
2. You don’t have to know or learn about nature to enjoy and appreciate it
Nature journaling is a fantastic tool for learning and development, which I hope to see integrated into every school’s curriculum.
Green sketching, on the other hand, isn’t a tool for environmental education; it’s a practice designed to increase nature connection and wellbeing. And the latest research on nature connection suggests that engaging with nature’s beauty and wonder can be more effective than traditional knowledge and identification-based activities.
You don’t need to have any scientific interest or expertise to start green sketching. There’s no need to annotate your green sketches with metadata unless you want to.
You don’t have to be a keen birder or tree-hugger; you just need to be a joy-spotter!
3. You can doodle in your own way, for your own wellbeing
Although mindful observation is at the heart of green sketching, the quality of your sketch is not important. There’s no need to worry about wobbly lines and wonky perspective. It’s the looking — and noticing— that matters, not your ability to accurately represent what you see on paper.
You don’t need to show your sketches to anyone if you don’t want to. So just relax and embrace what comes out of your hand! And if you call it ‘a doodle’ you’ll avoid taking your efforts too seriously.
Whether you keep a traditional nature journal or dabble in a little casual green sketching, you’ll find that the more carefully you observe the natural world, the more you learn about yourself, discovering sources of joy and comfort in your life that you never knew you had before.
This close connection with nature can strengthen your resilience and offer you hope in troubled times. Given the state of the world right now, there’s never been a better time to pick up a pencil!
Happy doodling!
Ali has given an inspirational talk about green sketching for TEDx which you can watch here. Find out more about Boggy Doodles and green sketching on Ali’s website boggydoodles.com and connect with her on Instagram.