4 Nature Ideas for Your Sketchbook

Hello! I’m Amanda (@amandaswork) and I am here to give you some sketchbook ideas that involve nature that you could do outdoors!

It is always a good idea to get outside and get some fresh air, so why not try to get some fun journaling time in there as well. Grab your journals, pick one of these ideas and get started!

Here are the supplies that I will be using:

• Journal/Sketchbook - I am using size A5 Blank 

• Markers - I use Acrylographs & Calliographs 

• Ink Pads 

• Paint - I use acrylic and watercolor

• Leaves, sticks, rocks, petals

You can use my affiliate code "AMANDASWORK" for 10% off your order. 

Let’s get started! 

This blog post is going to highlight incorporating nature into our journals, so your most important supplies will be the space around you! Don’t be afraid to get a little bit messy and go searching around.

1. Stick Painting

For the first page, grab some sticks and some paint and see what you can sketch! Use the sticks as your paint brushes and see what you can make out of it. Just like you would use different sized paint brushes, look for some different sized sticks for your painting. You can also find different lengths of sticks, which can affect how your painting will turn out. This can be a great way to practice your gesture and “brush” strokes. It is also just a really great way to loosen up in your sketchbook. 

You can either leave the page like this or you can colour it in with whatever tools you have, here I am using the Archer & Olive calliographs. 

2. Doodles with Pressed Leaves 

For the next page you are going to  you can press some leaves and petals and use them to make doodles. It is best to press them between heavy books for a week or two, to preserve them, but once you are ready stick them in your sketchbook and turn them into people, or creatures, or animals, whatever you want! This is a quick way to practice your imagination and see what you can make! I am using the Archer & Olive acrylographs to doodle around, but you can use whatever pens or markers you have. 

3. Shadow Tracing 

Next we are going to do some shadow tracing, this is a great way to add another layer to your pages, add some cool textures to your page. After putting down my paper I found a plant and traced the shadow onto my page. Doing this can help to practice your hand eye coordination and honestly your patience! Use this method to see how well your motor skills have developed and remember it’s about the process not the final product. This one might turn out a little weird but that is part of the fun!

4. Ink Stamping

Lastly, we are going to make a page that focuses on using an ink pad. I am going to create some texture in this Play-Doh, you can also use things like clay or paper as well. I use these ink pads by Archer & Olive to quickly add the ink and cover up the page. Go searching for cool textures such as leaves, rocks, tree bark, flowers, and so much more! This is a great scavenger hunt that can keep you busy for a long time! Use different colors of ink to see how many combos you can create! You can either leave the page like this or continue to add doodles to it! 

Remember that the whole point of a sketchbook is to create something and have fun. If things are not perfect or super aesthetic it is okay! Enjoy your time outside and see where your creativity takes you!

Check out this video if you want to see how I made these pages:

Don’t worry about making mistakes, that is part of the fun! 

If you need more ideas, use this printable. Go outside and play nature bingo! See who can fill theirs up the fastest! 

For more ideas to use nature in your journal, check out this tutorial on flower doodles here: blog

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and YouTube for more ideas!

If you end up creating your own pages, please tag @archerandolive #archerandolive!