Watercolor in Nature: A Beautiful Guide Reviewed

As someone who spends a lot of time sketching outdoors and playing around with different art supplies, I was excited to get my hands on Watercolor in Nature by Rosalie Haizlett. The title alone caught my eye because watercolor in nature is one of my favorite ways to connect with the outdoors. I wasn't disappointed—this book is packed with practical projects, helpful techniques, and a beautiful vibe that made me want to grab my brushes and head outside immediately.

If you're already dabbling in nature journaling or thinking about how to start sketching nature, this book is a natural fit. I'll walk you through my experience with it, who I think it’s best for, what worked for me, what didn't, and some tips that helped me get the most out of it.

Watercolor in Nature: A Closer Look at the Book

Rosalie Haizlett's Watercolor in Nature is exactly the kind of book I wish I'd had when I first started watercoloring. Instead of focusing on dry theory, Rosalie walks you through 20 projects—each one a slice of the natural world like wild blueberries, wood ducks, or a red fox. The first 10 projects combine ink outlines with watercolor, which is really forgiving if you're just starting. The last 10 are watercolor-only, which felt like a natural next step as I built confidence.

One thing I appreciated is that she keeps each project focused—you’re not trying to paint an entire landscape right away. You’re learning how to tackle one object at a time. This helped me feel less overwhelmed and gave me small wins to build momentum.

The book's design also impressed me. The paper is sturdy and holds up well to handling in the field. The binding lays flat, which means I didn't have to fight the book while trying to paint—something I've struggled with using other art books outdoors. It's a practical book in every way.

Key Points

• Start with Ink and Watercolor: The first half of the book uses ink plus watercolor, giving beginners extra structure and confidence before moving to pure watercolor projects. Having the ink lines made me feel “safe” as I was learning.
• Clear Step-by-Step Guidance: Each project is broken into about eight steps. These steps helped me avoid feeling lost, which has happened with other more freeform watercolor guides.
• Encourages Personalization: Rosalie encourages you to take your own reference photos and develop your unique style, rather than just copying her work. This mindset reminded me a lot of what I've learned from nature journaling basics.

What I Loved About Watercolor in Nature

From the moment I flipped through the book, I could tell it was designed with beginners in mind. But even as someone who's done drawing and watercolor sketching for a while, I found it inspiring and refreshing.

Compact and Portable

I often take my sketchbook on hikes or beach walks, and this book fits perfectly into a small daypack. That means you can bring it along during a creative nature journaling excursion without feeling weighed down. I actually brought it on a weekend trip to a nearby forest, and it survived some pretty rough handling without any damage.

Great Beginner Progression

The transition from ink+watercolor to pure watercolor projects is really well thought out. The first projects, like the fiddlehead fern and leaf sprig, are simple and satisfying. By the time I reached the more complex ones like the red fox, I noticed real improvement in my brush control and confidence.

It reminded me a bit of the structure found in A Field Guide to Nature Journaling, but Rosalie’s book feels even more focused on action rather than theory.

Invites Curiosity and Exploration

Because Rosalie adds fun nature facts along the way, it feels less like homework and more like an adventure—similar to the experience you get when using nature journaling prompts. I found myself slowing down and noticing tiny details about plants and insects that I would've otherwise overlooked.

Some Challenges to Be Aware Of

No book is perfect, and Watercolor in Nature has a few quirks worth mentioning.

Color Matching Can Be Tricky

One of the small frustrations I had—and I saw others mention it too—was matching Rosalie’s exact paint mixes. Especially when it came to combinations like burnt umber and ultramarine. I had moments where my colors looked very different than hers, even when I followed the steps.

If you're new to watercolor mixing, it might help to supplement with some extra learning, like watercolor nature journaling tips or experimenting on your own. I eventually started trusting my eye more than trying to match exactly.

Minimalistic Steps

While the book is easy to follow, some tutorials are lighter on text than others. There were a few projects where I wished for just a little more written guidance. In those cases, I found it helpful to slow down and spend extra time studying Rosalie’s step-by-step images.

If you're someone who likes deep explanations, pairing this book with resources like how to teach nature journaling with curiosity, wonder, and attention can be a great way to expand your learning.

Who Should Get Watercolor in Nature?

I think this book is ideal for anyone who:

• Loves spending time outdoors and wants to bring a sketchbook along.
• Feels intimidated by “perfect” watercolor tutorials and wants something accessible.
• Enjoys the woodland aesthetic and wants to paint plants, animals, and fungi.
• Wants a structured, achievable way to practice watercolor regularly.

If you're already keeping a nature journal as an adult or dreaming about starting, Watercolor in Nature fits beautifully alongside tools like nature journaling ideas and nature journaling supplies.

How I Personally Use Watercolor in Nature

One of the ways I’ve gotten the most out of this book is by treating it like a field guide. I'll pack it alongside my paints and a small sketchbook. When I find a quiet spot—a clearing in the woods, a shady spot near a river—I’ll flip to a project that matches what’s around me. Even if I don't copy the project exactly, it gives me a jumping-off point.

I've also started taking my own reference photos during hikes, then coming home and painting them using Rosalie’s steps as a loose guide. It's helped me build the habit of observing, photographing, and later creating, which ties into the spirit of keeping a nature journal.