Watercolor Nature Journaling

I started watercolor nature journaling during a period when I needed to slow down and reconnect with the natural world. Sketching trees, birds, and clouds was already part of my daily rhythm, but adding watercolor brought something new—stillness, reflection, and a sense of immersion I didn’t expect. There’s something about watercolors that fits so well with nature journaling: the way the paint flows, the unpredictability of the medium, and the softness it brings to a page.

Whether you're just starting a nature journal or looking to deepen your existing practice, watercolor can add a whole new layer to how you observe and record the world around you. This isn’t just about painting pretty pictures—watercolor nature journaling is about observing nature with intention and translating what you see into loose, expressive color studies. Everything in this guide is specifically focused on watercolor as a medium within nature journaling—not pencil, not gouache, not ink washes—so if you're looking to get better at using watercolor outdoors and in your sketchbook, you're in the right place.

Watercolor Nature Journaling: What Makes It Different?

Watercolor nature journaling blends the act of observing with painting. Unlike traditional sketchbooks, where drawings may stay as loose outlines, watercolor forces you to slow down and really consider what you’re seeing. The time it takes to mix color and lay it down gives your mind time to process what you're observing—whether that’s a nesting bird or the pattern of lichen on bark.

It encourages mindfulness in a way that's hard to replicate with just pencil or pen. Even when a page doesn't turn out how I imagined, I walk away with a stronger memory of what I saw, how the air felt, and the mood of that moment. That’s the hidden power of this kind of journaling: it helps you remember your time outdoors with more clarity.

If you're new to this practice, my nature journaling basics article is a good place to start.

Key Points

• Start small and keep your palette limited. A few good colors are better than a dozen you never use. I stick to eight colors that mix well together and cover most of what I see in nature.
• Use waterproof ink or sketch in pencil first. Otherwise your linework will bleed when you paint over it. My go-to pen is a Micron 01 or 03.
• Embrace imperfections. Muddy colors and warped paper are part of the process. Don’t tear out pages—let them teach you something.

Building a Watercolor Kit for Nature Journaling

You don’t need a full studio setup to bring watercolor into the field. I carry everything in a simple canvas pouch that fits in my daypack. This section focuses only on watercolor tools—what you'll actually need for painting outside, not for drawing or other media.

Essentials I Always Carry:

• Pocket-sized watercolor palette – I use a small plastic palette that I filled with tube paint from brands like Winsor & Newton or Daniel Smith. My base colors include ultramarine, burnt sienna, lemon yellow, sap green, and a few others.
• Two travel brushes – A size 6 round brush handles most tasks, and a flat brush is great for sky washes.
• Water brush – For quick painting without needing a water cup, especially when I'm moving around a lot.
• Sketchbook with watercolor paper – I recommend 5×7 or 6×9 sizes with at least 140 lb paper. I like Stillman & Birn or Pentalic.
• Mechanical pencil and waterproof fineliner – For quick layouts and line work that won’t smudge when wet.
• Rag or paper towel, binder clip, small water container – These tiny extras make a big difference in comfort and control.

You can find more of my favorite tools and brands in my full nature journaling supplies post.

Staying Consistent with Watercolor Journaling

This section is about staying consistent with watercolor specifically—not just nature journaling in general. Watercolor takes extra setup and cleanup, so consistency requires a little more intention.

A single leaf. A cloud formation. A color study of moss. That’s enough to call it a session. This mindset has helped me maintain a practice even when my time is limited.

Tips That Helped Me Show Up More Often:

• Keep your watercolor gear packed and visible – I hang my bag by the door so I can grab it whenever I head out.
• Set up a watercolor station by a window – I leave a small cup of water, my palette, and a journal on a tray ready to go.
• Use prompts made for painting, not just writing – Try these nature journaling prompts geared toward visual work.
• Join watercolor-specific events or challenges – Like painting one small nature subject every day for a week.

Where to Go and What to Paint (with Watercolor in Mind)

Certain environments are more watercolor-friendly. I look for places where I can sit comfortably and stay still for 15–30 minutes, because watercolor demands time for layering, drying, and observation.

My Favorite Watercolor Nature Journaling Spots:

• Botanical gardens – Ideal for detailed color studies and shade.
• Local trails with benches – I can rest my water container and palette easily.
• Beaches or lakesides – Great for sky gradients, reflections, and light studies.
• My patio or balcony – No packing needed, just paint and observe whatever's nearby.

Want more location-based ideas? Check out this nature journaling adventure list.

For Adults New to Watercolor Nature Journaling

If you're an adult getting back into art—or trying watercolor for the first time—this part is for you. Watercolor feels intimidating at first. It's loose, hard to control, and doesn’t always do what you expect. But it’s also forgiving. If you're willing to let go of perfect results, it becomes one of the most enjoyable mediums to use outdoors.

Watercolor doesn’t demand perfection. The way it blooms and pools can actually lead to happy accidents that make a page feel alive.

If you're unsure how to begin, Nature Journaling for Adults offers a gentle path in.

Creative Watercolor Techniques for Nature Journaling

This isn’t about illustration—it’s about using watercolor to support your observations of nature. When I’m out in the field, I’m not aiming to make a finished piece of art. I’m trying to record what I notice in the moment, using watercolor as a tool to capture light, color, and feeling. I don’t always use linework—sometimes I let the paint do all the talking.

The key is to focus on direct observation and let your watercolor choices follow your curiosity. If the sky is doing something amazing, I paint that first. If a plant catches my eye, I’ll isolate it on the page with a clean wash and maybe a label. These are some go-to techniques I return to again and again.

Some Ideas:

• Sky studies – I like to do quick sky washes in the morning and evening, especially when there are dramatic clouds or shifting colors. A simple wet-on-wet wash can capture the mood better than words.
• Botanical pages – I’ll paint a leaf or flower as I see it, adding small notes in pencil or ink to record its texture, scent, or growth pattern. I sometimes layer greens with yellows and blues instead of using a premixed green.
• Texture impressions – If I’m near a tree or plant with interesting texture, I’ll press it into a wet wash or let the watercolor puddle around it. It’s a fun way to get unexpected results.
• Minimalist entries – On busy days, I just paint one small thing: a mushroom, a rock, or a feather. Then I swatch a few colors next to it, jot down where I found it, and call it done.
• Field guide spreads – These are more structured pages where I focus on one species. I’ll paint it multiple times from different angles, note the colors I mixed, and include any observations I make while watching it. For inspiration, see my nature journaling examples.

I return to these techniques again and again because they’re simple, flexible, and don’t require perfection. Want to teach watercolor in a nature journaling context? Read how to teach nature journaling.