If you're anything like me, your bookshelf might already be groaning under the weight of art books you “needed” for inspiration. But once I picked up The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling, I knew this one was different. It's not just another pretty book—it's a practical, inspiring, and genuinely transformative resource for anyone curious about deepening their connection to both drawing and the natural world.
When I first stumbled onto The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling, I was already a fan of John Muir Laws' work through The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds. His unique ability to blend art, science, and genuine enthusiasm is like having a best friend teach you how to draw while hiking through the woods. This book, which won a Gold Medal at the 2016 Foreword INDIES Book Awards, is often described as the ultimate guide to nature drawing and journaling—and after working through it myself, I completely agree.
Key Points
- Practice seeing before drawing: Laws emphasizes observation as the first step, which has completely changed how I approach sketching.
- Projects to Focus Awareness: These projects are gold for building habits of curiosity and attention without feeling like homework.
- Tools and Techniques: The detailed supply recommendations and techniques helped me finally feel confident enough to sketch outside without feeling overwhelmed.
First Impressions of The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling
The first thing I noticed about The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling was its sheer quality. It's a hefty book with a sewn binding that lays flat, perfect for use alongside your sketchbook. The layout is beautifully organized, with clear step-by-step illustrations that invite you to try things immediately.
Holding the book in my hands, it felt like something special. It's the kind of book that makes you want to clear a whole afternoon just to sit down with a cup of tea, a sketchbook, and dive in. The tone throughout is welcoming and encouraging. There's no pretension here—only a genuine invitation to slow down and observe more carefully.
I appreciated that each concept stands on its own. You don't have to flip back and forth between pages, which makes it an ideal companion for real fieldwork. If you're new to nature journaling or just need a structured way to practice, this book is set up to gently guide you, not overwhelm you.
Why This Book Stands Out
Most art books focus heavily on finished-looking results. What I love about this one is that it focuses on the process of seeing, noticing, and documenting. Laws shows you how to develop the “curiosity” mindset that makes nature journaling for adults so rewarding.
Focus Awareness Projects
One of my favorite sections is “Projects to Focus Awareness,” where he shares 13 different types of field investigations. Each project could easily fuel weeks (or months) of creative exploration. I started by trying his “Mapping Movements” project, where you track the path of an animal or even a breeze across a landscape. It made me notice the little things I'd usually miss.
Even if you think you don't have time for elaborate projects, these are simple enough to fit into a casual walk around your neighborhood or a weekend hike. It made my sketchbook feel more like a playground than a checklist. It also connected naturally with a lot of the nature journaling prompts I've been using to keep my creativity fresh.
Practical Supply Advice
When I first started nature journaling, I got overwhelmed by all the supply choices. Should I use watercolor? Which pencils are best? Laws removes all that confusion. He breaks everything down—not just listing brands but explaining why certain supplies work better in the field.
His advice on portable watercolor kits was a game-changer for me. Following his recommendations, I assembled a small, lightweight kit that I now keep ready for spontaneous adventures. If you're curious about putting together your own kit, my nature journaling bag guide also walks through the essentials.
Drawing Techniques
The step-by-step tutorials are clear without being dumbed down. He teaches a way of drawing that captures both the essence and accuracy of a subject—whether it's a pinecone, a warbler, or a distant mountain. I especially loved the sections on trees and birds, two subjects I always found intimidating.
Practicing these techniques alongside his examples finally helped me bridge the gap between “I can't draw that” and “I can capture the feeling of that.” It pairs perfectly with additional tutorials if you want to draw animals or sketch nature more confidently.
What Could Be Better
There are very few negatives, but one thing I noticed is that Laws doesn’t dive deeply into sketching subjects that move quickly, like birds in flight. When I was trying to sketch a squirrel darting through the trees, I wished for more advice on quick capture techniques.
If you're focused on action sketches, pairing this book with how to look at a bird could be helpful. I've also learned to take quick reference photos when possible—something Laws hints at but doesn't heavily emphasize.
Another small issue: the “Elements to Include in Your Journal” list isn't super easy to photocopy because it's close to the spine. But honestly, hand-copying it into my own field notebook became a meditative practice in itself.
Where This Book Fits in the Bigger Picture
If you’re serious about deepening your nature journaling practice, this book pairs beautifully with nature journaling basics, nature journaling ideas, and keeping a nature journal. It’s also incredibly inspiring if you’re planning creative nature journaling excursions or considering participating in International Nature Journaling Week.
What surprised me most was how it shifted my entire mindset. Instead of feeling like I needed to “make good art,” I started to feel like a naturalist—someone who notices, records, and learns. That subtle shift made nature journaling feel more joyful and less pressured.
I also found it helped me better appreciate the benefits of nature journaling, especially the way it can help calm your mind and sharpen your curiosity.
If you're already familiar with A Field Guide to Nature Journaling or The Laws Sketchbook for Nature Journaling, this guide will feel like the capstone piece that brings everything together.
Is The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling good for beginners?
Yes, absolutely. Even though Laws covers some advanced techniques, his emphasis on curiosity, observation, and gradual improvement makes this an excellent starting point. Beginners will also benefit from checking out nature journaling activities and nature journaling adventure for more entry points.
When I first started, I worried that I'd be “bad” at it. But this book helped me see that there's no wrong way to keep a nature journal. Every mark you make is part of the learning process.
How is this book different from other nature journaling books?
Most books either focus heavily on art techniques or on natural science. The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling blends both seamlessly, making it a true how-to guide for naturalists and artists alike. You’re not just learning to draw—you’re learning to see.
Compared to other books I've read, this one feels more like a mentor sitting beside you rather than a teacher lecturing at you. It's personal, lively, and encourages experimentation.
What supplies do I need to get started?
You don't need much. A simple sketchbook, pencil, and maybe a portable watercolor set. You can find a complete list of recommended supplies in the book itself, and I also put together a practical nature journaling bag guide that covers what works best in the field.
When I first started, I kept it simple: one mechanical pencil, a small travel watercolor set, and a cheap mixed media notebook. As I got more confident, I slowly added things like waterproof pens and nicer brushes. The key is to start where you are and let your kit evolve naturally.
Does the book include examples of real nature journals?
Yes. And that’s one of its strengths. Laws shares pages directly from his own field journals, giving you a real sense of what a working nature journaling example looks like—messy, lively, and deeply personal.
Seeing his sketches, complete with unfinished lines, written questions, and casual notes, gave me permission to loosen up. My journal doesn't have to be a portfolio piece—it's a tool for learning, observing, and remembering.
Is it useful for group or classroom settings?
Definitely. Teachers will find the “Projects to Focus Awareness” chapter a goldmine. If you're interested in group activities, you might also want to look into how to teach nature journaling and nature journaling workshops in the wild to create a curriculum around it.
I’ve also used ideas from this book when leading small hikes, turning them into mini journaling excursions. It’s amazing how quickly kids and adults alike get excited once they realize they don't have to “draw perfectly”—they just have to observe and document.