Drawing from Nature

 

I did these nature sketches a few years ago in pen and ink on watercolor paper, then colored them with watercolor pencils. I have always meant to do more like these, but never found the time. It looks like now I will have the motivation I need to get back out into the field with my sketchbook. The method of pen and ink with watercolor pencils I found to be very handy for this type of sketching. I like it because you can add dry color to your sketch with the pencils, and then you can take water from your water bottle or from a nearby creek or pond and wet your brush to go over the color and create that watercolor painting effect. Or, if you don't want to get your paper wet while you're in the field, you can do it once you're back home.

 

 

For the pennyroyal, I actually kept a sample of the plant, pressed and dried it between the pages of my sketchbook, and then taped it to the page.