My pens are Microns 005 and 003 (mostly 005 though) and I like black and sepia (not to be confused with the brown - sepia is a rich brown/black).
I use only Daniel Smith colors (Quinacridone Gold and Rose, French Ultramarine, and Moonglow – basically a yellow, red, and blue plus a dark neutral) housed in a Demi Palette by Art Toolkit with a custom array of pans and palettes: https://arttoolkit.com/supplies/demi-palette-without-pans/
I use Graphgear 1000 mechanical pencils in .5 and .3 usually with a hi-carbon HB lead.
I like the Prismacolor kneaded erasers because they aren't oily like General's and they don't leave any detritus in nature.
My journals are always Strathmore 500 Mixed Media journals – I like to take a small hard cover with me in the field, but I use all the sizes, soft and hard covers. I just really like the paper and how sturdy they are.
Did I leave anything out? My blotting cloths are "Swedish" towels, but really any cloth works. I've even seen some journalers use cotton wrist warmers as brush blotters.
That is a beautiful sunny illustration. I have always gravitated to a pen and ink style, so will be keen to observe how you fare just with watercolours. Have a great week journaling!
Thank you so much for the encouragement to get started nature journaling! I was disappointed that I didn't manage to do one every day (not even close!), but the times I did were so helpful to my mental health. I also used this idea with a few of my middle school students - I brought in some beautiful leaves and a persimmon that had fallen off a tree, and we all did the INIWIRMO together. There was a little drama because I also brought a bug in, but I was so moved by the journal entries they made. (One student wrote that the leaves reminded her how we're all unique). I also really appreciate the new suggestions you posted. I felt like I was cheating one day when I took a photo of a tree when I was out running to refer to later when I journaled, and 4 days a week seems like a good goal for me until we have longer days and warmer weather.
I really can't express how grateful I am to have the support of your newsletter as I continue nature journaling - my anxious stressed-out brain thanks you!
OMGosh, you just made my day (and tear up a little, too)! I am so happy that you find Cricklewood so helpful, and the story about your middle school kids... ❤️❤️❤️ ( And I have to know, which bug did you bring?) Thank YOU for supporting Cricklewood and my work. xo
Excellent prescriptions Susannah! 👏 I've known several "art therapists" who did great work with their clients. You're offering a mood elevation program to your readers, which is so needed and valuable. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, Peter! I was worried that it would be a bit overwhelming (I didn’t even show my tiny field microscope that clips to my phone… 🤓). It looks like a take a lot out with me, but it’s all surprisingly compact. Let me know how I can help in the future!
I have the opposite problem. I've built a drawing kit based on John Muir's recommendations in his guide to Nature Journaling and it's too much stuff (watercolor markers, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, graphite pencils, pens, water brushes, watercolors, white gel pen, etc., etc). He doesn't really explain how to pare it down to a field kit. Your video is worth a thousand words 😀 I was hoping for something that fit in a small belt pack. Now I see how to do it! And my sketch journal fits in the belt pack too. Btw, Killer idea on the watercolor set up
Could you share the brands of some of the items? I was able to pause the video to see the case but could for the calipers for instance. Thank you.
Of course! Here's what's in my kit:
Calipers from Generals Tools - mine are fiberglass, but they also have stainless steel: https://generaltools.com/3-in-plastic-slide-caliper
Metric ruler from Mr. Pen: https://mrpen.com/
My pens are Microns 005 and 003 (mostly 005 though) and I like black and sepia (not to be confused with the brown - sepia is a rich brown/black).
I use only Daniel Smith colors (Quinacridone Gold and Rose, French Ultramarine, and Moonglow – basically a yellow, red, and blue plus a dark neutral) housed in a Demi Palette by Art Toolkit with a custom array of pans and palettes: https://arttoolkit.com/supplies/demi-palette-without-pans/
My water brushes are the Pentel Aquash: https://www.pentel.com/products/frhbp4m These are my favorites because I find it easier to control the water flow.
The little magnifier is from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W4L5JKV/ as is the forceps: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZX31VK8?th=1
I use Graphgear 1000 mechanical pencils in .5 and .3 usually with a hi-carbon HB lead.
I like the Prismacolor kneaded erasers because they aren't oily like General's and they don't leave any detritus in nature.
My journals are always Strathmore 500 Mixed Media journals – I like to take a small hard cover with me in the field, but I use all the sizes, soft and hard covers. I just really like the paper and how sturdy they are.
Did I leave anything out? My blotting cloths are "Swedish" towels, but really any cloth works. I've even seen some journalers use cotton wrist warmers as brush blotters.
And the case for anyone who didn't see it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08H55FDMP
Let me know if you need more info, and thanks for asking!
That is a beautiful sunny illustration. I have always gravitated to a pen and ink style, so will be keen to observe how you fare just with watercolours. Have a great week journaling!
Thank you! It's a lot of shades of yellow, for sure! 😁
Thank you so much for the encouragement to get started nature journaling! I was disappointed that I didn't manage to do one every day (not even close!), but the times I did were so helpful to my mental health. I also used this idea with a few of my middle school students - I brought in some beautiful leaves and a persimmon that had fallen off a tree, and we all did the INIWIRMO together. There was a little drama because I also brought a bug in, but I was so moved by the journal entries they made. (One student wrote that the leaves reminded her how we're all unique). I also really appreciate the new suggestions you posted. I felt like I was cheating one day when I took a photo of a tree when I was out running to refer to later when I journaled, and 4 days a week seems like a good goal for me until we have longer days and warmer weather.
I really can't express how grateful I am to have the support of your newsletter as I continue nature journaling - my anxious stressed-out brain thanks you!
OMGosh, you just made my day (and tear up a little, too)! I am so happy that you find Cricklewood so helpful, and the story about your middle school kids... ❤️❤️❤️ ( And I have to know, which bug did you bring?) Thank YOU for supporting Cricklewood and my work. xo
Excellent prescriptions Susannah! 👏 I've known several "art therapists" who did great work with their clients. You're offering a mood elevation program to your readers, which is so needed and valuable. Keep up the great work!
(Also admiring your nature journals as always)
Thank you so much for the encouragement and support. Means the world to me!
Saving this post! I need this!! 💚
Oh, I’m so glad — thank you!
This is a great post. The videos on your “kit” are extremely helpful for someone new to Nature Journaling. Thank you for posting them
Thanks, Peter! I was worried that it would be a bit overwhelming (I didn’t even show my tiny field microscope that clips to my phone… 🤓). It looks like a take a lot out with me, but it’s all surprisingly compact. Let me know how I can help in the future!
I have the opposite problem. I've built a drawing kit based on John Muir's recommendations in his guide to Nature Journaling and it's too much stuff (watercolor markers, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, graphite pencils, pens, water brushes, watercolors, white gel pen, etc., etc). He doesn't really explain how to pare it down to a field kit. Your video is worth a thousand words 😀 I was hoping for something that fit in a small belt pack. Now I see how to do it! And my sketch journal fits in the belt pack too. Btw, Killer idea on the watercolor set up
I am thrilled that this helped. Enjoy your field trips with your new "less is more" kit! 🍃