Nature Journaling Basics

I got into nature journaling as a way to combine my love of drawing with my obsession with wildlife. As a full-time artist, I spend a lot of time in sketchbooks. But something shifts when I take that sketchbook outside. Everything becomes more intentional. I'm not just drawing—I’m observing, noticing, connecting. There’s a kind of presence that kicks in when I’m trying to sketch a bird before it flies off or note how the light changes over the span of an hour.

Nature journaling basics are something I’ve returned to again and again over the years, both for myself and when I teach others. Whether you’re new to the practice or just looking to re-ground your process, this guide will walk you through some practical, creative, and strategic ways to begin—and how to keep going when motivation dips.

This page on nature journaling basics includes even more resources and links to get you started, but here I’ll walk you through what’s helped me most—and what I wish I knew earlier.

Nature Journaling Basics: Where to Start

You don’t need to be a scientist or a professional artist to start a nature journal. You don’t even need a lot of gear. But what you do need is a mindset shift. The goal isn’t to make something beautiful or impressive. It’s to slow down, pay attention, and record what you notice—through words, drawings, charts, or even poems.

Over time, your journal becomes something bigger: a record of your seasons, your questions, your patterns of attention. You’ll begin to notice things you’ve walked past a hundred times. You’ll develop an eye for small changes—a single bud appearing on a tree, the return of a familiar bird, a patch of mushrooms vanishing overnight.

A good place to begin is with the basics: date, time, location, and weather. From there, give yourself permission to respond however feels natural. Some days I write full paragraphs; other times it’s just a sketch and a single word.

Key Points

• Start with what you see, not what you think you should see. You don’t need to go on a big hike or wait for perfect conditions. Open your journal on your balcony, at the park, or in your backyard.
• Use drawing as a tool to see better. You don’t have to be great at drawing—just let it help you slow down and notice the small stuff. Try blind contour drawings or gesture sketches if you’re new.
• Set the context in your journal. Include the date, time, location, weather, and habitat type. Over time, this creates a layered view of your nature experiences and helps you spot patterns.

Essential Supplies for Nature Journaling

You can get started with just a notebook and pencil. But I’ve found that having a few go-to tools in a small kit makes the process smoother and more enjoyable. I keep my gear in a lightweight nature journaling bag so it’s always ready to go.

What I carry most often:

• A small mixed media sketchbook: I prefer wirebound so I can fold it back.
• Mechanical pencil and eraser: For fast, clean sketches.
• Fineliner pens (waterproof): Great for inking after sketching.
• A small watercolor set and water brush: Adds a wash of color without fuss.
• A glue stick and a few paper clips: Perfect for attaching leaf rubbings or small finds.

If you want a complete breakdown of tools and how I use them, check out my nature journaling supplies guide.

Drawing Animals as a Core Practice

As a wildlife artist, animals are usually the first thing I look for. Birds in particular are a favorite subject—they’re expressive, constantly moving, and always a challenge. My process usually goes like this: spot the animal, observe for 30 seconds, then try to get a quick contour sketch down.

You won’t always finish a drawing, and that’s okay. Try sketching the posture, the movement, or a particular feature (like the pattern of a feather or how a lizard’s tail curls). If the animal disappears, supplement with written notes: “moved in short bursts, paused every few feet, tail twitching.” Those notes are just as valuable as the sketch.

Check out some real examples from my nature journals to see how rough these pages can be.

Observations from Home

Some of the most detailed entries I’ve made happened from my back porch. You’d be surprised how rich your local environment is. One week, I tracked the blooming of a single daffodil. Another time, I recorded the movements of an orb-weaver spider over three days.

Try setting a weekly challenge: choose a window and document what you see each day at the same time. Or focus on just one square meter of yard or park and explore all the life you can find there.

For more prompts like these, visit my nature journaling activities guide.

Creative Techniques to Include

Once you’ve built the habit of observation, it can be fun to experiment with different formats. These creative tools keep journaling fresh and help deepen your observations.

Poetry

A short haiku or free-form poem can capture the emotion of the moment. Write what you feel, not just what you see.

Quotes

I keep a few favorite nature quotes taped inside my journal cover. When I find one that resonates, I copy it onto a page and build the entry around it.

Maps

Drawing even a simple map of your walk adds a sense of journey. Include landmarks, trails, and spots where you saw interesting plants or animals.

Rubbings

Grab a leaf, place it under your page, and gently rub with a pencil sideways. These textures help preserve the memory of the place.

Measurements & Charts

You can track temperature, tide changes, moon phases, or wildlife sightings. Try simple bar graphs or visual symbols to spot changes over time.

Natural Patterns

Pay attention to the patterns in nature—spirals, branching, symmetry. Sketch the same type of leaf over a week and note how it changes.

Using Questions to Prompt Awareness

One of the best ways to stay engaged is to ask open-ended questions. These aren’t about finding answers—they’re about staying curious.

Here are some prompts I use in my own journals:

• What am I not noticing?
• How does this plant respond to wind or light?
• Who else depends on this organism?
• What’s changed since last time I was here?

If you’re helping others get started, these types of questions are especially helpful. You can find more teaching strategies in my post on how to teach nature journaling.

Species Identification & Tracking

Identification is part of the fun, but I always recommend sketching and noting observations before looking up a species. This helps build your memory and reduces the urge to rush through the moment.

Tools I use:

• Field guides (especially for birds and trees)
• iNaturalist for quick photo-based IDs
• Apps like Seek, Merlin, and Audubon

I log interesting sightings and return later to learn more. You can explore deeper methods in my field guide to nature journaling.

Nature Stamps & Creative Add-Ins

Don’t be afraid to get playful. I’ve carved my own stamps from erasers to mark seasonal changes. I’ve even painted directly on leaves and pasted them in.

During International Nature Journaling Week, I challenge myself to include a new creative element each day: stamps, patterns, collaged leaves, or layered watercolors.

Group Journaling & Excursions

Sharing the experience with others can be incredibly energizing. Whether it’s an organized workshop or just a walk with a friend, you’ll often notice more through collective observation.

If you’re interested in joining or hosting, you can learn more about creative nature journaling excursions and workshops in the wild.

Setting the Context for Each Entry

One of the best habits I’ve developed is setting the stage for each page. I always start with:

• Date and time
• Exact location (even coordinates if I’m exploring new ground)
• Weather (temperature, cloud type, wind direction)
• Habitat description (forest edge, roadside, alpine meadow)

This kind of journaling becomes a form of long-term data collection. It also helps trigger memories when you flip back months later.

If you want more structure, nature journaling prompts and journaling ideas can help shape your pages.