Expressing Color in your Nature Journal

December 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM PST to December 5, 2026 at 3:30 PM PST

At Townsend Amphitheater

The living world is awash with color, yes, even in December! Bring your Nature Journal observations alive and learn multiple ways that color can enhance and expand your nature connection practice. Nature journaling is the act of putting pen (or pencil) to paper to observe aspects of nature with curiosity and attention; adding color brings even more life and energy to your observations. At this in-person workshop you’ll learn different ways to use color (color pencils and watercolor) to deepen your observations and to accurately document nature’s hues. These approaches support both art-making and field-noting skills. After a brief hands-on intro to color theory and color mixing, you’ll use watercolors and/or colored pencils to use color in a variety of ways: basic color, matched color and swatches, symbolic color for diagrams and maps, and compositional color for layout and page organization. Some basic watercolor and pencil techniques will be addressed, but the focus of this session is specific to using color in a field and nature journaling setting. We wrap with a closing circle for sharing and discussion of next steps for your practice. Prior nature journaling or drawing/painting experience helpful, but not required. – These materials will be provided: set of colored pencils, sampler set of watercolors, waterbrush. – Participants please bring: a pencil (mechanical, #2 or HB pencil); a black pen with waterproof or water-resistant ink; a grey pencil or grey marker; a sketchbook suitable for working outdoors and with paper that can take some water media without bleeding through (some buckling is okay.) You’re encouraged to bring any additional tools and materials that you like to use for sketching or field journaling: sketchbook, pencils, pens, measuring tools. – If you wish, you can get a kit of nature journaling supplies, available for purchase onsite for $20 (cash or Venmo). Kit includes: small softbound journal, hardbound journal, mechanical pencil, black brush pen, grey marker, magnifying loupe, compact mirror, clear ruler, and carry satchel/apron. All skill levels welcome; no prior experience necessary. Can be taken as a stand-alone workshop, or as a follow-up to the morning workshop, Intro to Nature Journaling for Garden Enthusiasts. The workshop will be held rain or shine. Come enjoy the beautiful botanical garden setting! This program is held indoors. ** Instructor Biography: Kate Rutter is an avid nature journaler, urban naturalist, educator, and native plant enthusiast who enlivens nature-human connection through sketching, observation, and curiosity. A lifelong sketcher, Kate leads nature journal workshops at public gardens, national and state parks, organizations, and nurseries. She is the author/illustrator of Bay Area Botanical and the co-creator of the Quickstart Guide to Nature Journaling. Kate holds a B.A. in Studio Art from Wellesley College and serves on the board of the Wild Wonder Foundation.

The living world is awash with color, yes, even in December!

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