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102 W. Washington Street
Mail: PO Box 426
Middleburg, VA 20118
A 501c3 nonprofit
540-687-6600
Our Mission
To champion creativity in the arts
for people of all ages and abilities
in our community, especially the youth,
through educational programs and exhibitions.
Field Journal Activity
Making and Keeping a Field Journal
by Christina Nelson
Here we will learn about creating and up keeping a nature journal. Durign the COVID-19 pandemic we are spending all of our time indoors. Go ahead and open those windows, put out a bird feeder, and take some time to look closely at the spring flowers as you walk your dog. Take time to stop, listen, and reflect on the natural world around you every day!
First we will start by learning
how to set up a field journal
and some exercise in nature
immersion and sketching.
Step 1: Make your Field Journal
Find a journal, or make your own!
What you will need:
- Printer paper or draft paper 8.5"x11"
- A piece of card stock or paper that is a different color from the others
- stapler or rubber band
First, get a stack of 5-10 pieces of printer paper and put the colored card stock paper on top. Fold this hamburger style with the colored paper on the outside. If you have a stapler, staple the stack on folded side so it holds the papers in place. If you do not have a stapler, put your rubberband along the inside folded piece and around the cover so it rests along the "spine" of the journal. This should hold the papers in place
Step 2: First Journal entry
Name
Date 0/00/0000
Start your journal by noting the weather, season, and where you are observing. Are you on a nature hike or sitting by the window looking outside? Are you on a long road trip, and if so, where are you going?
Next, use all of your senses. What do you hear? What do you smell? What does the ground feel like? What do you see?
Spend 5 minutes and sit still, and focus on one of these senses. After you finish, write down everything you felt, heard etc.
Now, time to find your sketching topic! What experience was most meaningful to you during this mindfulness exercise?
If you focused on the sky, try to draw the clouds.
If you heard an animal, like a bird, see if
you can find it and draw it. Don't worry
if it moved to fast to see details,
draw the general shape or even
use scribbles to show how it
was moving.
Field sketching is all about
writing and sketching, so if you
can't draw it, write about it! Note
the color, the shape, and how it was moving.
Southwestern Sand Painting
Materials:
*Cardboard, mat-board, card-stock, strong craft paper
* Elmer's liquid glue
* Paintbrush or foam brush
* Colored sand bag or tub (can be found at craft stores)
* Red
* Black
* Tan
* White
* Yellow
* Turquoise
* Whatever colors you like!
Sketch out a design or silhouette of an animal on the piece of paper.
Use glue bottle to re-draw over sketched lines and use paintbrush or foam brush to blend in the solid areas. Be careful when drawing lines, the glue often flows out too fast or slow, and bubbles can disrupt the line quality.
Pinch a small amount of sand between your fingers and slowly allow the sand to trickle out by decreasing the pressure between your fingers. Move your hand along the direction that you would like to deposit the color on top of the glue and start to create your design. Select a different color and continue with your design with the other colors. When you are finished with your design, tip the picture on the side and lightly tap it so that the excess sand falls away.
Allow your piece to dry and put your art on the wall or in a frame!