Nature Journaling and the Art of Observation

Do you enjoy exploring the world around you? Are you searching for new ways to sharpen your observation skills and deepen your knowledge about nature? Join this workshop-style class that focuses on nature journaling as a way to slow down, observe, and open yourself up to new discoveries. 

We’ll start in the Folk School classroom by sharing our interests and goals for journaling. There are no rules for nature journaling, so we will look at a variety of ideas, tips, and strategies for using words and sketches to create your personal journal. If you are reluctant to try sketching, don’t worry. We will focus on using sketching as a tool for taking a closer look, not for creating a work of art. A short exercise to wake up our observation skills will prepare us to head outdoors and explore the neighborhood around the Folk School. We’ll wrap up by returning to the classroom to share our discoveries and questions. You will go home with a fresh outlook on journaling and nature, information about available resources, and a new entry in your own unique nature journal.

Registration Includes

Participants will go home with increased observational skills, a new entry in their nature journal, familiarity with some basic sketching techniques, and information about resources that are available to use for identifying our local plants and animals.

What goes into our class pricing? As a local nonprofit, Duluth Folk School is committed to supporting both our instructors and community. We want to compensate our instructors fairly, keep class sizes small, and keep our doors open—while also keeping prices as low as we can.

Thank you for participating in our local handcraft and education economy! Together, we help keep Duluth a fun and vibrant place.

Student Requirements

• Skill Level/Prerequisite Skills: This class is open to anyone who enjoys being outdoors and wants to learn more about the world around us, including beginners, those who think they can’t draw, and long-time journalers who are looking for opportunities to share their nature journaling experiences with others.
• Best for Ages: 18 and older
• You should bring: 
  • Paper that you can handle easily outdoors—a sketch pad, a journal, notebook, or clipboard with sheets of paper
  • Pencils: at least one soft (B, HB or 2H) and one hard (5H or 6H)
  • Optional Tools: eraser, pencil sharpener, small ruler
  • A container to carry your supplies: Day pack or fanny pack works well
  • Clothing appropriate for outdoor exploration/weather conditions
  • Optional: water and/or snacks

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