Sketch journaling is a great way to preserve special memories when you only have a limited amount of time to make art. In this workshop, we will learn how to loosen up the hand and work quickly in ink and watercolor paint to make art inspired by nature. After warm-up exercises and learning techniques, we will create a full sketch journal page that you can look back on fondly.
Recommended Materials
Paper: At least three sheets of watercolor paper, any brand, size 9x12 or similar.
Pen: Any pen with waterproof ink will do. My favorite is the Uniball Vision medium point pen in black. If you don't have a waterproof ink pen, a pencil will do just fine.
Paint: Use what you have. A basic watercolor set containing red/pink, yellow, and blue would work, or even children's 8-color sets. These are some of the colors that are useful to have on hand for nature scenes.
Blue: cobalt blue or cerulean blue
Brown: burnt sienna, burnt umber
Green: sap green
Yellow: yellow ochre
Gray/black: if you don't have one, you can make an easy mix of gray with brown and blue.
Pink: I like using pinks such as quinacridone rose, but you can also use red.
Brushes: At least one round brush, size 6. Having a larger brush such as a Round size 10 or 12 will help for painting bigger scenes.
Water: A cup of water and some paper towels to dry brushes on.
Photos or Items: Before the workshop begins, collect something from nature that you would like to include in your page—a rock, a leaf, a flower, etc. You could also take some photos on your phone of a view that you want to include in your journal entry.
About Nicole Kim
Nicole Kim is a watercolor artist and illustrator that is always searching for a way to make creativity quick and painless. She likes to make work that feels cute, vibrant, and relatable. Recently, she has illustrated Southern California Vegetable Gardening by Julie Bawden-Davis and Sabrina Wildermuth and teaches sketch journaling and painting workshops with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. In her spare time, she likes to visit Red Rock and Mt. Charleston, teach and practice yoga, and make pottery.