Sketching Nature: A New Drawing Resource

When I first heard about Dianne Sutherland's new book, Sketching Nature: The Beginner’s Guide to Keeping a Botanical Sketchbook, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I've always loved the idea of nature journaling, but in practice, I often found myself feeling stuck. What should I draw? How do I capture the details of a flower or an insect without making it look stiff or awkward? I hoped that Sketching Nature could help me bridge that gap—and it did.

Right from the first few pages, I could tell this wasn't going to be another dry how-to book. It feels like sitting down with a very kind, very skilled mentor who genuinely wants you to succeed. If you're even slightly interested in sketching nature—whether you're an artist, a hiker, a gardener, or just someone who loves being outside—this book offers a beautiful entry point.

Why Sketching Nature Is Worth Reading

Sketching Nature doesn’t just teach you how to draw plants; it helps you experience nature more deeply. From selecting a sketchbook (even making your own) to understanding composition and adding simple watercolor touches, Dianne Sutherland makes the process feel completely achievable.

Before reading this book, I had a handful of sketchbooks gathering dust because I was too intimidated to “mess them up.” Now, thanks to Dianne's practical advice, I'm filling pages with quick studies, observations, and even little color swatches. It's shifted my mindset from perfectionism to curiosity—something I've also found valuable in my broader nature journaling practice.

If you're new to nature journaling, you might also enjoy exploring my guides on nature journaling basics and how to teach nature journaling.

Key Points

Here are three major takeaways from Sketching Nature that really stood out to me:

• Start with Simplicity: You don't need fancy materials to begin. A simple pencil and an affordable sketchbook are enough to build real skill.
• Observe First, Sketch Second: Spending a few quiet minutes observing your subject can dramatically improve the details and feeling you capture.
• Build Pages Thoughtfully: Learning to compose your sketchbook pages with swatches, labels, and small studies can make your journal both beautiful and informative.

First Impressions: What Stands Out About Sketching Nature

When I first flipped through the book, I was immediately struck by how accessible it felt. Even though Dianne Sutherland is a renowned botanical illustrator, her tone is encouraging and down-to-earth. She shares both her successes and her struggles, making it easier for beginners to feel like they belong.

The layout of the book is inviting, too. Beautiful yet achievable sketches, clear steps, and practical tips make it a pleasure to read. It doesn’t feel overwhelming, which is a common problem I’ve noticed with many art instruction books.

The sections on sketchbook composition, color swatching, and mixing drawing with small written observations reminded me a lot of ideas I’ve explored in creative nature journaling excursions.

The Artwork Inspires, Without Intimidating

The examples Dianne shares are beautiful, but they aren't so polished that they feel unattainable. They feel real—like pages you could work toward if you made sketching a regular part of your life. Seeing her half-finished studies or quick pencil notes made me realize that my messy, imperfect pages are valuable, too.

Her approach also dovetails nicely with practices I've found in keeping a nature journal, where the goal isn't technical perfection, but personal connection.

Learning Materials and Techniques

One of the most helpful parts of Sketching Nature is how Dianne demystifies the materials you need. She’s not pushing expensive brands or suggesting you buy a ton of supplies. Instead, she shows you how to get started with what you likely already have: a pencil, a sharpener, a basic sketchbook, and maybe a small watercolor set.

Techniques for Capturing Plants and Insects

Dianne breaks down her approach to sketching plants and insects in a way that feels very doable. She encourages starting with basic shapes and paying attention to structure first—something that helped me immensely when drawing more complicated flowers like orchids.

She also includes small exercises for practicing leaf shapes, petal arrangements, and insect anatomy—much like the fun activities you’d find in nature journaling activities. I started practicing these exercises in my sketchbook right away, and even after a week, I could see improvement.

Her tips reminded me a lot of the step-by-step exercises I use when drawing animals, breaking them into manageable parts.

Building a Sketchbook You'll Treasure

A part of the book that surprised me was how much attention Dianne gives to page composition. It’s not just about making individual sketches; it’s about building sketchbook pages that tell a story. Adding notes, color swatches, and even little maps can turn your sketchbook into a time capsule of your outdoor adventures.

Her philosophy fits perfectly with ideas like nature journaling prompts and seasonal projects like International Nature Journaling Week. It inspired me to treat each page as an exploration rather than a finished artwork.

If you’re aiming to get into a regular practice, pairing Dianne's methods with a seasonal challenge or even something like a nature journaling adventure could be incredibly motivating.

Expanding Beyond Plants

While Sketching Nature focuses primarily on plants, it’s clear Dianne wants you to observe the whole environment. She shares examples of how insects interact with plants, how fungi grow, and how different natural elements fit together. This broader view made me think about how I can expand my own practice to include more varied subjects.

If you want more ideas for broadening your sketchbook beyond plants, you might enjoy Drawn to Nature or The Nature Connection.

Where Sketching Nature Fits Into a Bigger Practice

I think of Sketching Nature as a wonderful “gateway” book—it can start you on a lifetime path of creativity and observation. If you want to keep going beyond the basics, it pairs beautifully with resources like The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling, The Curious Nature Guide, or even more specialized topics like watercolor nature journaling.

I’ve found that combining a basic sketching practice with structured activities—like the ones in nature journaling examples and nature journaling plants—helps me stay consistent, especially when life gets busy.