I’ve always utilized life and field drawing for my wildlife art to varying degrees throughout the years, and always in conjunction with photographic reference. Photography has long been a faithful tool in my creative process, but when combined with the strong observations gleaned from nature journaling, makes for a masterful toolkit. Entering into 2020 I wanted to re-establish my love for this method with a goal in mind: to more consistently incorporate wildlife nature journaling into my studio practice.
Journaling allows me to record observations quickly, with something as simple as a color swatch or a word, or with a more complex sketch or detailed rendering. Upon returning to my studio, these observations help to inform the emotional feel of my final artwork, the animal’s posture, its environmental composition and lighting, and so much more.
Some observations to record & bring back to the studio
These are some of the prompts I keep in mind when observing animals live:
Behavioral Observations:
Movement:
- Does it hop? Slither? Does it swoop down and up? Does it dart back and forth?
- Does it bob its head? Shake any feathers?Interactions:
- How do they interact with other species? Are they territorial?
- How do they interact with their young?
- How do the different genders interact?
Gestures & Posture
Smells of the Habitat
Flowers/Grass?
Wet/damp? like the smell before a rain or after?
Soil/Earthy?
Sweet and Fresh, or Foul and Acrid?
Date, Time of Day & Season
Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Sounds
Animal’s Sound: Chirping? Chittering? Whistling? Screeching?
Environmental Sounds: Windy? City noise? Other animals? Water noise?
Colors & Patterns
Create swatches of the main colors observed: Highlights, shadows, reflective light/color, and Identifying colors
Record any distinctive markings or patterns as swatches
Weather
Humidity: Damp / Sticky / Dry
Rain: Misty / Light / Heavy / Thunder
Wind: None / Light Breeze / Windy / Heavy Winds
Temperature: Hot / Warm / Cool / Cold / Freezing
My Emotions/Feelings
Does it feel peaceful, quiet and serene?
Does it feel chaotic, aggressive, or rough?
What to do when you can’t get outside or the species is not in your hemisphere?
I have turned to nature and wildlife documentaries as source material when I am unable to access the species in real life. In a recent conversation with a friend, they recommended webcams as an option. This is a fabulous way to observe an animal’s day-to-day life. Many bird cams are set up for conservation research and can be viewed online. Trail cams and live cams at zoos and aquariums are another fabulous resource.
At the end of the day remember journaling isn’t about perfection, it’s about observation and learning.
Go out and enjoy the sounds, smells and sights. Soak up as much as you can and enjoy the opportunity to connect with nature 😊
Find more of Cat’s work on her website www.WildlifeByArtCat.com, as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Art Cat has generously given us some free wildlife downloads which you can find on the Animals page.