Hi, I’m Sadiqua—a self-taught writer and illustrator. What began as a personal practice (writing to make sense of the world, life and everything) has grown into a collection of workbooks and tools designed to help others do the same. My hope is that what I create helps you find your rhythm, ignite new ideas, and feel more grounded in your introspective and creative process. Thanks so much for being here!
In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll be illustrating a fading rose branch with a soft blue butterfly using Procreate and my Realistic Watercolour Minimalist Brush Set. This project is all about finding beauty in the quiet, imperfect details—wilted petals, muted colours, and the delicate contrast of a butterfly bringing life back into the composition.
Whether you’re just starting out with digital botanical art or you’re looking to refine your watercolour technique in a minimalist style, this guide will take you through each stage of the process—from initial sketch to final textured painting. You’ll learn how to work with soft watercolour washes, build subtle layers, and create that organic, almost tangible feel of traditional paint—all within Procreate.
The brush set we’ll be using is designed to mimic the flow, texture, and unpredictability of real watercolour on paper, while keeping things simple and streamlined. This makes it perfect for minimalist artwork where every brushstroke counts.
By the end of this session, you’ll have a finished piece that captures both the softness of nature and the quiet story of a rose in transition.
Video Timelapse of the Full Illustration
Buy Now – Realistic Watercolour Brushes Minimalist Brush Set for Procreate
Click below to view pricing and option to purchase. File will be available to download instantly once payment has been made.
Taking a butterfly on a faded flower as my subject allows me to explore many aspects of drawing and painting. Firstly the position of the various elements, the leaves, the flowers and the butterfly along the branch allows the viewer’s eye to run from one side of the painting to the other.
The colour palette can also be explored with each element subject to different hues and ranges. And lastly, there is a contrast between the way each element is approached, the relatively flat leaves, the more detailed and complex flowers and the contrasting colours of the butterfly itself. A perfect range of varying tasks to be undertaken.
Tools:
To follow along with this tutorial and get the best results, you’ll need the following tools and materials:
Hardware & Software
iPad (compatible with Procreate; ideally iPad Air or iPad Pro for best performance)
Apple Pencil (or a compatible stylus for pressure-sensitive brush control)
Realistic Watercolour Minimalist Brush Set – This is the custom brush set used throughout the tutorial, designed to mimic traditional watercolour textures and flow. Make sure it’s installed in Procreate before starting
Let’s Begin!
Using the Outline Brush or any Sketching Brush, start with your sketch…
Firstly, I established the main points of the composition, starting with the butterfly itself. This will eventually be the main draw for the eye once the colour is introduced and is also in the foreground of the painting. Positioned three-quarters of the way across a line from bottom left to top right, its position is chosen to draw the eye across the page. The outline was established, some detail began as a reference point and some small points of relevant background were established.
This sees the complete sketch of most of the elements that the painting is made of. The branch and the additional leaves are positioned, more detail of some of the leaves is suggested and planned out and the composition and positions start to take shape.
The remaining flowers along the top of the branch are added. Things do start to look a bit confused at this point due to the two-tone nature of black pencil on a white background but it is the contrasts of the paint that will make each element stand out against each other, the lines are just the working mechanics that will guide the digital brush later on.
The final flower is placed, each element is in its place.
Free download of outline – click on image to open a new PDF tab
The remaining detail is added to the butterfly. It is time to start adding colour to the piece using the Main Brush.
Starting with the elements farthest back – the leaves – the blends of green and light brown are used to create tone and texture, the contrasts between suggesting contour and movement.This close up shows that the colour palette used is fairly simple and it is the contrasts between the hues and highlights rather than the use of a broad range of colours that lifts the two-dimensional drawing into something more lifelike.The same applies to the flowers themselves. It is the contrast of browns, reds and yellows which create the illusion of folds and texture of the flowers, the result is a series of tightly packed swirls of petals.The detail here shows the power of highlights, of certain darker lines or more shaded detail which creates the contrasts which suggest depth and dimension.And when you pull back you can see the contrast between the more complex brown-yellow of the flowers and the plainer greens behind them.And further contrast is created by adding the blue details to the butterfly itself. Although all three areas – the green leaves, the yellow-brown flowers, the blue creature – have fairly toned down palettes, it is the contrast between the three which makes each stand out from the other.
Although the palette remains subdued from one element to the next, there is more than enough variance to make each stand out from the other. Add to that the contrast with the white and shaded backdrop and you have a great and well-observed painting and a great way to explore this superb digital tool.
There’s something timeless and calming about the gentle bloom of a hydrangea — delicate petals clustered like clouds, shifting shades of violet and lavender catching the light. In this step-by-step Procreate tutorial, we’ll capture that quiet beauty with soft, flowing watercolour techniques tailored for digital art. Using Procreate and my Realistic Watercolour Minimalist Brush Set, you’ll learn how to illustrate this flower on your screen.
This digital illustration of a purple hydrangea captures the flower’s gentle complexity through richly layered watercolour textures and earthy tones. Painted in Procreate using my Realistic Watercolour Brush Set, the piece blends delicate violet and mauve petals with deep green leaves. Soft granulation, intentional bleeding edges, and subtle paper texture enhance the traditional watercolour effect, making the illustration feel as though it was painted by hand.
Start a new canvas using your included Canvas file.
This canvas mimics the look of real watercolour paper — softly textured and slightly worn — perfect for building an organic and vintage look.
Ensure you are on the “Draw / Paint” Here Layer
Step 2: Sketch Your Hydrangea
Select the Outline Brush from your set.
In a new layer, begin sketching the basic shape of your hydrangea — think of it as a softly rounded dome made up of overlapping four-petal blossoms.
Don’t aim for perfection. Let the lines be organic and loose. Include 2–3 large leaves to anchor the composition.
✏️ Keep your sketch lines light, as they’ll only serve as a guide for your painting.
Something to keep in mind when making the sketch is that, in hydrangea flowers, each flowerhead is made up of many smaller flowers, and are made up of two distinct types: showy, and non-showy. The non-showy flowers are set at the interior of the plant, without any petals, and the more colourful, leaf-bearing flowers surrounding the smaller flowers in a decorative ring, are set all the way to the outset of the flower. Since this structure is so unique to the hydrangea, it is important to retain it to the best of your ability when sketching the outline, before putting down any colour.
In hydrangeas, each individual showy flower contains four overlapping petals, which are shaped like spades, with a rounded triangular body pointed outwards. The smaller flowers, at the inner layer, are hardly visible, but are shaped like small pearls, and greatly resemble the same pearl-like interior of the larger flowers.
As for the leaves, they are located at the base of the petals as well as further down, with pointed ends like miniature teeth, and a symmetrical vein running down the middle.
Once you have a loose and workable design at hand, you can create a new layer and add deeper lines around the outline of the petals and the stem, with thinner pencil lines at the veins of the petals, running down the centre, and the branching structure in the body of the leaves. Once you have a clean outline, you can de-select the first rough sketch layer as I have done below.
Hydrangea flower outline – to download a high quality file, click on the above image to open a new tab with the PDF file
Once you are satisfied with the outline layer, you can begin carefully adding colour.
Quick Summary of Actions…
Step 3: Lay Down the Base Colour
Create a new layer beneath your sketch.
Using the Main Brush, begin painting each petal in light washes of muted purples and lavenders.
Vary the tones slightly from petal to petal — some leaning cooler (bluish), some warmer (pinky mauve).
…Work petal by petal to maintain definition, letting slight overlaps create natural bleeding and transparency.
Step 4: Add Soft Blends and Depth
With the Wash/Blend Brush, gently blend areas where petals meet to soften transitions.
This creates a natural, watery flow that mimics traditional watercolour.
…Don’t overblend — a bit of edge and texture adds to the character.
Step 5: Define Petals & Shadows
Add another layer above your base paint and set it to “Multiply.”
Use the Main Brush again with slightly darker shades of purple to define inner petals, soft folds, and areas where shadows naturally occur.
With the Subtle Bleed Brush, tap around shadow edges to give a feathered, soaked-in look.
Step 6: Paint the Leaves
Blend selected areas with the Wash/Blend Brush, then add small textures or stains with the Subtle Bleed Brush.
Using the Main Brush, block in the leaves with deep, earthy greens — add a touch of brown or ochre to age them.
Layer in veins and details with a darker tone on a Multiply layer above.
Colour Palette
Click on the above colour palette to open a new tab with the image file. Then save the image and it to your Procreate canvas. If you want to colour match directly from it, Procreate makes it super easy. Simply tap and hold anywhere on the image using your finger or Apple Pencil, and the eyedropper tool will appear. This allows you to instantly select any colour on your canvas. Once you’ve picked the colour, it will show up in the top-right colour circle, ready to use with any brush. You can do this as often as needed to sample multiple tones from your reference — perfect for capturing the subtle shifts in petals, shadows, and leaves.
How to Paint the Petals & Leaves (Using the Main Brush)
To paint the leaves, I started out at the darker, inner portions of the vein outline by laying down coats of dark, forestry green, with the inner leaf, where it attaches to the stem, being more brown and of a deeper green colour than the outer leaf, where it is a fainter green.
With that being done, move upwards to the crown of the flowerhead, beginning at the top of the illustration by painting in small, careful brushstrokes. Much like painting the branching structures of the leaves, paint each petal of the flower separately to create distinct properties in the illustration, even when viewed from afar, to maintain the recognisable structure of a hydrangea.
I continued layering in petals with purple and light brown brushstrokes, near dark brown at the tips of the petals and light purple at the centre, and carefully blending as the two connect.
The outer petals of each flower in the flowerhead can be a light, purplish grey, especially as you paint the outset of the flower, as you are now, outlining the structure.
For the time being, you can leave the pearl at the centre of each flower unpainted.
Moving along the top outer flowerhead, I continued alternating and blending coats of brown, light brown, and purple, creating an outline of the top of the hydrangea flowerhead before continuing along the sides and further into the centre of the sketch.
As you continue to paint, you may alternate in the colour balance of each individual flower, especially those that face the viewer more directly. Some flowers – the aforementioned facing flowers in particular, should have fewer grey and brown, and more shades of deep purple and violet, some of them with inner layers of blue and light red to accentuate the brighter colours of the flowerhead.
While the hydrangea, viewed as a whole, looks like one distinct colour, each small flower in the flowerhead has its own balance of shades, which come together to create a complete whole. At this point, with the top of the flowerhead painted and the sides and bottom still only outlined, you can begin painting the inner flowers, moving adjacently so that you paint flowers that are connected to each other or overlapping. The larger flowers largely cover the smaller, circular bud flowers at the centre, so do not worry about painting them until you begin painting the centre peal at the middle of each flower.
As you paint, remember that, even as spaces become more filled, each petal should be painted individually, as to retain the fidelity of the sketch as it becomes covered in pigment.
Filling out the sketch one by one, start adding whiter purples at the centre of the flowers that are fully turned to the viewer, in preparation for the bud at the centre of each individual flower of the flowerhead. This bud will be painted in tones of silver and light purple, striking a balance with the darker brown shades of each flower in the structure and coming across as small points of light in the painting.
You may paint the smaller, interior flowers a similar colour if they are shown, but it is possible that they will be very fine details in the final painting.
Moving down to the lower parts of the flowerhead, these flowers are less brown and more pink, with the darker purple acting as the inner veins of each petal, and the petals themselves going from a deep, natural pink, to a delicate violet at the centre, still retaining that silvery pearl.
Once you have painted each individual flower, you can then add the pearl at the centre, shading to accentuate the fact that it is a miniscule sphere, rather than a flat circle.
Then, moving even further down, outline the veins of the leaves of the stem, and continue painting the stem a deep green with brown undertones. The base of the leaves should be a similar dark green, with the inner veins that you so carefully outlined left mostly at the colour of the paper, with some light greens and beige brushstrokes, moving very carefully to not smear the delicate brushwork you spent so much time on.
Finally, with the entire flower painted, add fine details by reducing the brush size, and blend the harsher areas of colour contrast, and you should be left with a blooming, beautiful hydrangea.
These butterfly printable colouring pages have been hand-drawn and hand-designed by me, and are 100% free for parents, teachers and kids to use. There is a selection of easy to difficult and simple to detailed – suitable from pre-school kids to adults. To download, simply click on the relevant image to open a high resolution PDF, instantly available to print and colour.
Terms: These colouring sheets are not to be uploaded on other websites ‘as they are’; but once coloured in, they can be used for personal and commercial use.
Butterflies are one of the ‘prettiest’ insects on planet. Watching them flutter through our garden flowers and then to see them sit on one whilst showing off its unique colours and patterned wings is one of the most beautiful and intricate sites of nature. Perhaps that is why it’s also so relaxing to colour them in 🙂
Download PDF – Detailed Butterfly On Flower Branch Colouring Page
There’s something timeless about the rustic charm of peach roses — soft blushes of sunset caught in a bloom, petals tinged with whispers of warmth and nostalgia. In this tutorial, we’ll gently unfold the process of painting these delicate florals in Procreate, using the Realistic Watercolour Minimalist Brush Set, comprised of four thoughtfully crafted tools: the Outline Brush, Main Brush, Wash/Blend Brush, and the Subtle Bleed Brush.
Begin by opening a new canvas included in the Brush Set.
With a soft pencil or the lightest opacity of your Outline Brush, sketch the framework of your rustic peach rose. Think of loosely spiraling petals, some gently curled, others unfolding. Add a few surrounding leaves — hinting at both growth and grace. Let the lines be imperfect.
Sketching a rose step by step
Step 2: Leaves & Details
With earthy greens (think olive, eucalyptus, and a touch of gold), paint the leaves using the Main Brush, then gently soften with the Wash/Blend Brush.
Introduce veins, shadows, and a few dry brush strokes for texture.
Step 3. Rose Wash – Laying the Blush
Select the Main Brush. Choose a muted peach or a blend of coral and warm cream — imagine sun-warmed apricots and soft dusk skies. Begin with the innermost petals and gently build outward.
Work in layers, starting with the lightest hues. Each petal should hold its own voice but speak in harmony with the rest.
Let the edges feather slightly.
Step 4: Blending – Softening with Intention
With the Wash/Blend Brush, softly tap or sweep along petal edges to melt colours into one another. Allow the core of the rose to remain slightly more pigmented, where the shadows naturally pool.
Blending in Procreate with this brush simulates the blooming of paint on wet paper — not too perfect, never rushed.
If it feels too heavy, pull back. If it’s too pale, let it bloom again.
Step 5: Shadows & Character
Return to the Main Brush, this time choosing a slightly deeper tone — sienna, burnt apricot, or even a trace of dusty rose.
On a new layer (set to Multiply or Linear Burn with lowered opacity), deepen the spaces between petals. Add gentle creases where light won’t reach.
The goal isn’t realism, but botanical poetry — letting colour suggest form, not dictate it.
Step 5: The Subtle Bleed
Using the Subtle Bleed Brush, touch the edges of select petals. Let the colour softly wander outward, mimicking the unpredictable bloom of pigment on damp paper.
Use this sparingly — like morning mist or the scent of summer rain. Focus on the outer petals or where two hues meet. It adds movement, and that magical imperfection that enhances the beauty of watercolour.
Step 7: Final Touches
Step back. Reduce the canvas size and assess your composition.
Use the Subtle Bleed Brush one last time to add atmosphere — a soft bleed under a leaf, a faint halo around the bloom. Keep it dreamlike.
Optionally, place a light textured overlay (like cold-press paper grain) above your layers and set it to Multiply for added depth.
Optional: Background Wash
If your rose floats too starkly on white, consider a light background wash — diluted clay, antique beige, or dove grey — using the Wash/Blend Brush in large sweeps. It anchors the piece without stealing attention.
Final Words
To paint a rustic peach rose in watercolour is to translate the language of the earth into light and pigment. With your Realistic Watercolour Minimalist Brush Set, every stroke carries intention and admiration.
Whether you are illustrating for a botanical journal, a wedding suite, or simply your own quiet joy — may this process remind you that beauty often lies in softness, in patience, and in letting colour bloom where it may.
Let the petals unfold. Let the colours bleed. Let nature speak through your hands.
There’s no doubt that roses are one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, making them also one of the most popular botanicals to draw and paint. Styles amongst botanical artists vary from simple and loose to more detailed and realistic. Then there is also the style used by the old masters, which are an all time classic loved by all – the vintage style roses.
This step-by-step watercolour painting tutorial will guide you through the process of creating a vintage rose in Procreate, from start to finish. So, if you’re a beginner or somehow lost on where to start, I hope you enjoy it and find this useful.
I will be using this photo of a pink rose picked from my garden as my reference for this tutorial. If you’re using your reference, make sure to have it handy so you can follow along!
Open up Procreate on your iPad (or other Apple device). If this is your first time using the app, you will be prompted to create a new document.
This layer can be your ‘compass’ layer as it is from here you will need to make your layout of the direction and positioning of the rose flower and leaves.
Add a new layer. Using the “Main Brush”, make a circle and also a darker inner circle, as shown in the image below, and in a colour of your choice. I have used a burgundy kind of shade.
Using a white colour, follow the strokes as shown in your reference photo as I have done below in the step-by-step images below – these strokes will eventually show the petal outline and depth of the rose. Use the “Main Brush” to give an outline of the petals, and use the “Wash Brush” or Smudge Tool to give it it’s 3D spherical appearance.
The white lines are made using the “Main Brush” and the “Wash Brush” or Smudge Tool is used to blend the white into the burgundy – this is done for each petal.
You may need to go over each petal with more white repeatedly to subtly strengthen the white colour.
The same brushes are used for the green leaves.
If you wish to use an outline first, you can use this below:
Download PDF – Click on the image to open a high resolution PDF in a new tab
I have put together a collection of floral Procreate colour palettes that can be used with the Procreate colour picker tool.
To use them in Procreate, click on any palette from below to open a new tab with the image. Then save it on to your iPad, and add it as an image to your Procreate canvas. Then, with the colour picker tool or hex code, you can start using the exact same colour for your artwork. For details on how to do this, read the next few paragraphs. If you already know how to do this, just scroll down straight to the palettes :).
How to Add an Image in Procreate
To add an image in Procreate, start by opening your canvas and tap the wrench icon in the top left corner. From the menu, select INSERT A PHOTO and choose the palette you want to add from your iPad. Once inserted, you can resize and position the image in to a corner as needed to fit your artwork.
How to Use the Colour Picker Tool in Procreate
To use the colour-picker tool, use your finger to double-tap on the colour you want from the colour palette image. You will find that the exact colour has been selected and is shown in the top right-hand corner sample colour.
You can start painting with this colour straight away, or adding it to your Procreate colour palette first.
The other method is to just type in the hex code in the colour section as shown below:
Palettes with Just 3-4 Colours – Use A Blender Brush Or The Smudging Tool
These palettes have 3 or 4 colours for ease of colour-picking. The colours can be blended with any blender brush or by utilising the smudge tool, similar to traditional painting colour mixing.
Bring the elegance of nature into your digital sketchbook with this ash leaf botanical illustration tutorial—designed especially for Procreate and created using my Realistic Watercolour Minimalist Brush Set. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist exploring digital watercolour, this guided lesson will help you develop a clean, minimalistic style like real watercolour.
This step-by-step tutorial is available as a downloadable PDF, perfect for following along at your own pace within the Procreate app.
The ash leaf is a beautiful subject for botanical illustration thanks to its elegant structure and distinctive details. Composed of multiple slender leaflets arranged in pairs along a central stem (or rachis), the ash leaf has a graceful, feather-like form that naturally lends itself to minimalist design. Each leaflet tapers to a fine point and often features gently serrated edges and a delicate central vein, providing just the right amount of detail for watercolour texture to shine through. This combination of symmetry, variation, and organic flow makes the ash leaf both visually striking and meditative to paint—perfect for practicing layering, brush control, and subtle colour blending in digital watercolour.
What You’ll Need
To complete this illustration, you’ll first need:
An iPad with the Procreate app
Apple Pencil or compatible stylus
My Realistic Watercolour Minimalist Brush Set
The PDF Tutorial (link below)
What’s Included in the Purchase
Here’s a preview of what you’ll receive:
x1 Step-by-Step PDF Tutorial
x1 Full Extracted Timelapse Video from Procreate
x1 Colour Palette
x1 PNG Sketch Outline
See a timelapse of the illustration here:
Ready to Get Started?
Buy Now – Watercolour Green Ash Leaf Botanical Illustration in Procreate (1) (PDF Tutorial)
The step-by-step tutorial is available for purchase here:
Buy Now – Procreate Realistic Watercolour Minimalist Brush Set
The brush set used to create this tutorial is available for purchase here:
There’s something deeply grounding about traditional Islamic geometric design — its balance, its discipline, and its quiet beauty. This hand-illustrated seamless pattern is created from that inspiration in mind. It features an intricate, repeating motif rooted in classical symmetry, yet softened by organic imperfections that come from working by hand.
It combines earthy tones with subtle reds and ochres, giving it an aged, almost textile-like texture. It works well for projects that need a sense of history, detail, or quiet elegance — from fabric printing to stationery, branding, or even backgrounds in digital design.
A soft, neutral-toned throw pillow featuring the seamless geometric pattern. The design adds subtle texture and warmth, perfect for modern, earthy spaces. A delicate interplay of line and symmetry unfolds with earthy tones and quiet repetition that bring a sense of rhythm, warmth and stillness.
Seamless geometric pattern artwork framed in natural wood, displayed against a neutral background with earthy tones.
Book cover featuring the same seamless geometric pattern
Interior room with the seamless geometric pattern wallpaper
This pattern is part of a growing collection inspired by traditional motifs and created with care through a slow, thoughtful illustration process. If this pattern speaks to you, you can find all the details below — including pricing and simple steps to purchase.
Buy Now – Islamic Geometric Seamless Pattern (1) with Unlimited Commercial Licence
Click below to view pricing and option to check out. File will be available to download instantly once payment has been made.
Purchase includes a high-resolution seamless pattern, 12×12 inch JPG file, at high quality 300dpi.
Terms & Licence Info
General Commercial Licence Terms
By purchasing this digital product, you are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable commercial license to use the item in both personal and commercial projects, under the following terms:
✅ You Can: - Use the design in unlimited commercial projects. - Incorporate it into physical or digital products for sale (e.g. prints, packaging, fabric, stationery, websites, apps). - Modify or combine the design with other elements to create new end products.
❌ You May Not: - Resell, share, or redistribute the file "as is" (this includes uploading to stock sites, marketplaces, or file-sharing platforms). - Offer the design as a standalone product, even if modified slightly (e.g. just changing colours). - Claim the design as your own original work.
🔁 Attribution: Attribution is not required, but always appreciated!
This pattern is part of a growing collection rooted in traditional motifs and slow-made illustration. Thanks for supporting handmade digital work!
In a world that spins fast, where screens flicker and notifications demand constant attention, the quiet rhythms of the natural world offer something profoundly rare: stillness. When we step outside, even for a few minutes, we begin to feel it—the slow turning of the seasons, the subtle shift in light, the breeze that brushes past without expectation.
Imagine sitting under a tree, scribbling your thoughts, sketching a flower, or dropping a leaf in your notebook. That’s the simple joy of nature journalling. Lately, more people are turning to this mindful, creative activity to relax, learn, and feel closer to nature. Whether you want to improve your observation skills or find a peaceful way to spend time outside, this beginner’s guide will show you how. We’ll cover the basics, share practical tips, and inspire you to start your own journey into the world of nature journalling.
This guide is your invitation to slow down. To notice. To reflect. To reconnect with the quiet intelligence of the earth through the simple, grounding act of keeping a nature journal.
Nature journalling isn’t just about drawing leaves or writing down bird sightings (though you may do both). It’s about relearning how to see—to engage the senses, to let the mind rest and the heart open.
Over the paragraphs that follow, you’ll explore how to:
Observe nature with fresh eyes, even in familiar places
Turn seasonal changes into creative inspiration
Use your journal as a personal sanctuary and source of insight
Combine art, science, poetry, and play into your journalling process
You don’t need to be a writer, an artist, or a naturalist. You only need curiosity—and a willingness to be still.
This post is written through both practice and season, because nature is never static, and neither are we. Each section builds on the last, with tips, prompts, and ideas to support a sustainable, personal journalling habit.
So take a breath. Step outside, or look out of the nearest window. The stillness is already waiting.
What Is Nature Journalling
Nature journalling is all about capturing what you observe outdoors. You might sketch a tree, write about a plant, or record the sounds you hear. The goal is to combine art, science, and reflection in one notebook. For beginners, it doesn’t have to be perfect or complicated—just start by noticing what’s around you. Look closely at a leaf, watch how a cloud moves, or listen to the wind in the trees. Use simple drawings, short notes, or even questions like, “What kind of tree is this?” or “Why is that insect here?” Nature journalling is more about curiosity than skill.
Over time, your notebook becomes a personal collection of discoveries, helping you learn about the environment and notice things you might otherwise miss. It’s a fun, relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors and grow your observation skills, no matter your age or experience. Whether you’re using watercolours, simple pencil sketches, or descriptive prose, nature journalling is a way to document both the external environment and your internal response to it.
Why Nature Journalling Matters
In an age of rapid consumption, constant connectivity, and ecological uncertainty, returning to the earth—even with a notebook in hand—can be a calming exercise. Nature journalling is not just a hobby; it’s a practice that nurtures attention, deepens connection, and fosters a quiet kind of hope.
1. Reclaiming Your Attention
Our attention is perhaps the most valuable—and exploited—resource we have. Nature journalling reclaims it. When you sit beneath a tree or pause to watch an ant carry a crumb, you are resisting the speed of the world.
Even just ten minutes of slow observation changes the way your brain works. Stress levels drop. Heart rate slows. Focus sharpens. Nature journalling becomes a form of active mindfulness, engaging both inner stillness and outward curiosity.
2. Deepening Your Connection to Place
To journal nature is to get to know it closely and personally. You begin to notice the angle of light in the morning, the particular rustle of leaves in October, the way a robin returns to the same branch each day. Over time, this practice shifts your sense of place. It turns “the park” into your park, the sidewalk cracks into microhabitats, the ordinary into the extraordinary.
This connection also fosters a quiet kind of stewardship. When you care about a place, you’re more likely to protect it. You see what’s at stake—and what’s worth saving.
3. Rediscovering Creativity
Nature journalling gently removes the pressure of performance. No one expects perfection from a mossy rock or a withering leaf—so why expect it from yourself?
Here, let your creativity flow: drawing, painting, list-making, poem-writing, leaf-rubbing, cloud-mapping, or anything else that feels right. Your journal becomes a space where curiosity is more important than correctness.
4. Honouring the Cycles Within & Without
The seasons offer more than weather—they mirror internal rhythms, too. As spring awakens the soil, it might stir liveliness inside you. As winter brings silence, it might invite rest or reflection. Journalling helps us notice and honour these natural cycles. It reminds us that change is constant—and beautiful.
When you look back on your entries, you may see not only the path of seasons but the arc of your own growth.
The Benefits of Nature Journalling
Practising nature journalling supports mental health by helping us slow down and be present. Taking time to sit quietly and observe the world around you can be a calming break from busy schedules and screens. It reduces stress, boosts mood, and helps you feel more connected to the moment. As you sketch, write, or simply take notes, your powers of observation naturally improve—you start noticing tiny details like the shape of a leaf, the colour of a bird’s feathers, or the way a flower opens in the sun.
Nature journalling also sparks curiosity. You might find yourself wondering what kind of tree you’re looking at or why certain insects are gathered in one spot. These questions can lead to research, discovery, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Over time, this growing curiosity helps build a stronger bond with the environment and encourages care for the planet.
In addition to being a peaceful and creative activity, journalling can help improve handwriting, spelling, and even scientific thinking. You’re not just drawing and writing—you’re collecting data, asking questions, making comparisons, and forming your own ideas.
Whether you’re sitting in your backyard or walking through a local park, nature journalling is a simple, rewarding practice that supports learning, creativity, and well-being.
Getting Started
You don’t need fancy tools, a perfect sketchbook, or remote access to wilderness to begin nature journalling. In fact, the only essential item is your attention. That said, a few simple tools and a flexible mindset will help you begin your journey with joy and ease.
1. What You’ll Need
Start light. The goal isn’t to gear up like a biologist on expedition—unless you want to. Your kit can be as minimal or as rich as suits your style.
Basic Supplies:
A journal — Any notebook will do. Choose one that feels inviting. Options:
Blank pages for free expression
Lined pages for writing-heavy journalling
Mixed-media or watercolour journals if you’ll be sketching or painting
Pen or pencil — Something smooth and reliable. A black fineliner is a favourite among many.
Optional Extras:
Coloured pencils or watercolour set
Double-sided tape for adding found leaves or feathers
A pouch or tin to carry it all in
If you’re journalling on the go, make sure everything fits into a small bag or pocket.
Are you more into sketching or writing? Or maybe a mix of both? There’s no single “right” way to keep a nature journal—your style can be as unique as you are. Some people love to fill their pages with detailed pencil drawings or colourful paintings of flowers or landscapes. Others prefer writing, using their journals to describe what they see, hear, smell, or feel in nature. You might choose to jot down facts, questions, or even little poems inspired by the outdoors.
Your journal can also include things like pressed flowers, leaf rubbings, or small maps of your walks. Some people decorate their pages with washi tape, stickers, or labels to make them more fun and creative. Others like to keep things simple with just a pen and notebook. You can even include dates, weather notes, or observations from the same place over time to see how things change.
Experimenting with different approaches is part of the fun. Try sketching one day and writing the next. Mix colours and shapes or make a collage. Over time, you’ll discover what style feels most natural to you. The important thing is to enjoy the process and let your journal reflect your own way of seeing the world.
2. Finding Your Spot
Look for local parks, forests, gardens, or even your backyard. Different places offer varied sights and sounds. A pond may attract insects and birds, while a meadow might be bursting with flowers. Find spots that make you curious and comfortable. Starting nearby makes it easier to make journalling a regular habit.
You don’t have to be deep in the forest or on a mountain peak. You may even start where you are:
A park bench
Your backyard or balcony
The view from your window
A corner of your garden
A patch of sidewalk where weeds push through
3. Your First Entry: Just Begin
Your first journal page doesn’t have to be profound. Begin with the basics:
A quick sketch or note about what drew your attention
One question you have about what you saw
Example entry: April 9, 2025 – 8:12 AM – East-facing window Cool, overcast. A robin is pecking at the ground. What is it eating? Noticed the first daffodil blooming below the steps—yellow like sun.
This is all you need to begin. Over time, your style will emerge. Some days you may write; others you may sketch. Sometimes you may only sit and observe. Every way is valid.
4. Create a Ritual
Set aside time—even 10 minutes a week. A cup of tea and a quiet morning. A walk after work. Keep your supplies somewhere visible. Make it easy for yourself to begin.
If you journal regularly, you’ll notice:
Your attention sharpens
You start looking for patterns
You feel more grounded in your day
Your journal becomes a gentle anchor—a reminder that the world is always turning, slowly and beautifully, around you.
Choosing When & What to Observe
Early mornings or late afternoons are great times to see animals and plants. Different seasons bring new sights, so try journaling throughout the year. When beginning, pick one thing to focus on, like a flower or a bird, instead of trying to record everything at once.
Developing Your Observation Skills
Take your time. Slow down, relax, and really look at what’s in front of you. Notice colours, shapes, textures, and smells. Use your senses—listening, feeling, even tasting (safely, of course). Try quick sketches for a general idea and detailed drawings for deeper focus. The more you observe, the more natural it will become.
Recording Your Experience
When you journal, combine sketches with notes. Write the date, weather, and location. Describe what you saw and felt. Keep some small natural objects, like a leaf or feather, in your journal or pressed inside for added detail. This makes your journal a personal record of your outdoor adventures.
The Art of Observation
Nature journalling begins with a shift—not in location, but in perception. To observe is to slow down, to pay attention on purpose, and to notice what you might otherwise pass by. It is the quiet art of becoming present with the world.
1. Seeing Beyond the Glance
In our everyday lives, we often look without seeing. We register a tree, a bird, a flower, but we don’t linger long enough to notice its texture, colour changes, behaviour, or subtle movement. Nature journalling invites you to pause and look closer.
Try this exercise:
Choose any natural object—a leaf, a bug, a pebble, a cloud.
Spend 2–5 minutes simply observing it without doing anything else.
Ask yourself:
What shapes do I see?
What patterns?
What colours or textures?
Does it move? How does the light touch it?
By the end of those few minutes, you will know that object differently than when you began.
Observation is not about knowing everything. It’s about curiosity. You don’t have to identify every species or explain every sound—you just have to notice. The best nature journallers ask questions more often than they answer them.
Some helpful phrases to spark mindful observation:
“I notice…”
“I wonder…”
“It reminds me of…”
“What does this mean?”
“I’ve never seen this before…”
Each observation is a doorway into deeper awareness, not a test to be passed.
3. Noticing the “Small Quiet Things”
We’re conditioned to seek what’s big, loud, or dramatic. But nature journalling thrives in subtlety:
The spiral in a snail shell
A trail of ant tracks across a stone
A shadow shifting across the bark
The change in temperature between shade and sun
Try choosing a single square foot of ground and journalling everything you can observe within it. You might be surprised at how alive and layered it is.
The longer you observe something, the more it reveals. Try these:
Watch the same flower day and note how it changes
Sit in one place for 15 minutes and record the sounds you hear
Track the position of the sun or moon at the same hour over several days
This is where journalling moves from hobby to relationship. You begin to develop a sense of time that’s rooted in place and pattern.
5. Practice Prompt: “The One-Thing Walk”
Go for a short walk (5–15 minutes) with the sole purpose of finding one thing to observe deeply.
Once you find it, stop. Sit if possible. Spend 5 minutes studying it, then:
Write 3 descriptive sentences
Draw it (even if it’s rough)
Ask at least one question about it
Reflect: How do you feel after slowing down?
Repeat this once a week, and your observation skills will deepen naturally.
To observe nature is to learn a new kind of listening. One that happens with your eyes, your ears, your skin, and your breath. The more you practice, the more the world opens up to you—not because it changes, but because you do.
Your journal is not just a record, it’s a conversation with the wild.
TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE YOUR NATURE JOURNALLING PRACTICE
> Sketching & Drawing Tips for Beginners
Start with basic shapes — circles, triangles, rectangles — then add details. Don’t worry about perfection; aim to capture the essence. Shading can add depth, but quick gesture sketches are useful for capturing movement. Use reference photos or simply observe directly; both improve your skills over time.
> Writing & Reflection Strategies
Ask yourself questions: What colours do I see? How does this plant feel or smell? How do I feel being here? Write short observations and feelings. This helps you connect more deeply and remember the moment. Try journalling at different times of day to notice changes.
> Integrating Scientific Observation
Use field guides to identify species. Record measurements like leaf length or bird calls. Note behaviours, such as how insects move or how birds fly away. This adds a layer of learning and can turn your journal into a mini science project.
> Making Your Journal a Creative Space
Experiment with art mediums — watercolours, pastels, or even simple coloured pencils. Attach pressed flowers, leaves, or special stickers. Use washes of colour or doodles to make pages lively. Your journal doesn’t need to be perfect — it’s about expressing yourself and your observations.
Sensory Noticing — Beyond What You See
Sight is the most commonly used sense in journalling, but nature has far more to offer than what meets the eye. When you slow down and tune into sound, scent, touch, and even intuition, your journalling becomes richer and more personal.
1. Listening to the Landscape
Sound reveals what the eyes may miss: the direction of wind, the chatter of birds, a distant river, the creak of branches. It also tells you how a place feels—whether it’s bustling or still, wild or tame.
Write down what you heard and how it made you feel.
Prompt: “The softest sound I noticed today was…”
2. Scent: The Forgotten Sense
Scent is memory-rich and often overlooked. Fresh rain, sun-warmed pine, decaying leaves, dry soil, morning dew—each carries meaning and emotion.
Try This:
Pause to inhale deeply through your nose.
What do you smell? Earthy, floral, musty, fresh, smoky?
What does that scent remind you of?
Prompt: “The air smelled like…” “This scent reminds me of…”
Keep in mind, the best scents often come just after rain or at dawn/dusk.
3. Touch: The Texture of the World
Our skin is a powerful tool for connecting with nature. Notice textures, temperatures, and the feel of air or moisture.
Try this:
Touch a variety of natural elements:
Bark (rough/smooth?)
Rocks (warm/cool?)
Water (flowing/still?)
Leaves (velvety/waxy/sticky?)
Write a tactile description without naming the object (e.g., “Soft like worn cotton, but cool and slightly damp”).
Prompt: “Today I touched something that felt like…”
4. Taste
Tasting nature is like savouring the earth’s essence—fresh herbs, wild berries, and crisp mountain air on the tongue. Each bite carries the story of sun, soil, and rain, unfiltered and alive.
A garden-grown herb
Fresh rain
Wild berries
The mineral tang of mountain air
5. Intuitive Awareness
Sometimes, a place “feels” a certain way—before you can explain why. It may feel peaceful, mysterious, heavy, joyful, or alive. This is your felt sense—a subtle, intuitive way of perceiving.
Trust it. Try journalling not just what you noticed, but what you felt about it.
Prompt: “The atmosphere of this place feels…” “If this landscape had a personality, it would be…”
Practice Prompt: The Five Senses Scan
Find a quiet outdoor spot. Spend 1–2 minutes with each sense:
Sight – What colours, shapes, movements?
Sound – What layers of sound can you detect?
Scent – Subtle or strong?
Touch – What textures or temperatures?
Intuition – What’s the emotional tone of this moment?
Write a short paragraph that weaves all five together.
“The air felt cool on my skin and smelled of pine needles and old stone. I heard the hum of bees and the sigh of wind through grasses. This place feels wise—like it’s older than time.”
Nature journalling is more than observation—it’s immersion. The more you engage your senses, the more grounded and vivid your experience becomes.
Let the world come to you—not just through your eyes, but through every part of your being.
Sketching in the Wild
You don’t need to be an artist to draw in your nature journal. In fact, drawing isn’t about making something “look right”—it’s about slowing down to see. A sketch is simply a record of attention, a way to connect your hand, your eye, and your curiosity to the living world.
This section is your guide to sketching as a tool for observation, not performance.
1. Let Go of “Good”
Forget about making your drawing look perfect. Nature isn’t perfect, and your journal doesn’t need to be either.
You are:
Recording what you observe, not reproducing a photograph
Training your eye to notice form, texture, and relationship
Learning through looking—and that’s the whole point
Many of the world’s best field journals are filled with scribbles, half-drawn sketches, and quick impressions. That’s the beauty of them.
“A shaky drawing of a real experience is worth more than a flawless one done from a photo later.”
2. What to Sketch
Start small. Focus on one object or detail. Here are great beginner sketch subjects:
Tip: The more you observe, the less you need to “invent.” Let the object lead.
3. Tools & Techniques
You don’t need much to begin—just a pencil or pen and a few minutes.
Quick techniques:
Contour drawing: Trace the edges with your eye while drawing slowly and steadily, without lifting your pen. Focus on form, not detail.
Gesture drawing: Loose, fast sketches to capture posture or motion (great for birds or animals).
Close-up sketch: Draw a small part of a subject up close—like the veins of a leaf or the spirals of a shell.
Labelling: Add notes around your sketch: colour, texture, date, behaviour (“saw ant crawling across here”).
Remember: A sketch paired with a sentence is more powerful than either one alone.
4. Drawing as Inquiry
Let your sketching be guided by curiosity, not just aesthetics.
Ask:
How is this shaped the way it is?
What do the patterns suggest about its function?
What changes over time—how might this look tomorrow?
Sketching is not just drawing—it’s learning with your eyes and hand.
MAINTAINING CONSISTENCY & ENJOYING THE PROCESS
> Creating a Routine
Set aside a few minutes each day or week for journaling. It could be as simple as a quick sketch after breakfast or a longer session on weekends. The key is to make it part of your regular outdoor time without pressure.
> Overcoming Common Challenges
Don’t worry if your sketches aren’t perfect. Focus on the process, not the product. Bad weather or busy days can be tough; adapt your routine or keep a small journal in your bag. Remember, the goal is to enjoy nature, not produce perfect art.
> Connecting with a Community
Join local or online groups where people share their journals. Look for challenges or prompts to inspire you. Sharing your work can boost motivation, give new ideas, and make journaling even more enjoyable.
> Real-World Examples & Inspiration
There are countless inspiring stories of beginner naturalists or famous naturalists’ journals. John Muir’s detailed sketches and writings helped raise awareness about wilderness preservation. Today, many naturalists post their journals online, inspiring others to start. These examples show how simple observation can turn into a lifelong passion and contribution to nature.
To sketch in the wild is to slow down and build a relationship—not just with what you see, but with how you see it. Over time, you’ll notice more, remember more, and connect more deeply with the living world around you.
So draw. Messily. Imperfectly. Joyfully. Let each sketch be a personal note to what you’ve noticed.
Your journal can hold both fact and feeling. Many nature writers, e.g. Beatrix Potter, beautifully balance observation with reflection.
This dual lens of science and spirit gives your writing depth and authenticity.
Prompt starter: “I almost missed it, but then I saw…” Or: “This [object/animal/sound] made me feel…”
📓 Optional Practice: Keep a Running Log
In a section of your journal, try keeping a log of ongoing changes:
What returns, disappears, or transforms?
How does your internal state reflect the external world?
Over time, your words will reveal patterns in both place and self.
When you write in your nature journal, you are in conversation with the world. You’re not just describing it—you’re participating in it. Your words are a form of respect, presence, and remembrance.
So write freely. Write simply. Write richly. Your voice is part of the wild.
Conclusion: The Gift of Stillness
In a world filled with noise and speed, nature journalling invites us to pause. It is a quiet practice of observation, reflection, and expression — a way to slow down and notice the world around you and within you. “Seasons of Stillness” is more than a journalling method; it’s a mindset that welcomes peace, presence, and deep connection with the natural world.
Every page in your journal is a dialogue between you and the world. In stillness, we begin to truly see. And in seeing, we remember our place in the beautiful, ever-changing web of life.
Starting a nature journal opens the door to a more mindful, curious relationship with the outdoors. It’s an activity anyone can do — no special skills required. Begin small, be consistent, and let your journal reflect your unique perspective. Over time, you’ll notice your skills grow and your connection to nature deepen. Remember, this is your personal journey of discovery and creativity. Grab a notebook, head outside, and begin capturing the world around you.
Key Takeaways
- Nature journaling blends art, science, and mindfulness to build a stronger bond with the outdoors. - A simple notebook and basic supplies are enough to get started. - Regular practice boosts observation skills and fosters a sense of environmental care. - Personal touches, patience, and fun are essential for a rewarding journaling experience.
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Start with two slightly curved vertical lines. These lines form the base of your tree trunk.
Tip: Curved lines give a more natural, organic look than perfectly straight lines.
Step 2: Add Branches
From the top of the trunk, extend a few lines outward and upward — these will be your tree’s main branches. Keep the lines thinner as they go out, and don’t worry about symmetry; natural trees are beautifully irregular!
Step 3: Add Texture to the Trunk
Add some quick, light vertical lines inside the trunk to give it a bit of wood-like texture. You can even add a small oval or spiral shape to suggest a knot in the wood.
Step 4: Sketch the Tree Canopy (Leaves)
Now, draw a large fluffy, cloud-like shape around the top of the trunk and branches. You can do this using soft, bumpy lines that form a rounded canopy. Think of drawing a large cotton ball or broccoli top.
Step 5: Optional – Add Ground or Colour
Draw a simple patch of grass or ground under the tree to ground it in space. Then, grab your coloured pencils or markers to add greens for the leaves and browns for the trunk.
Final Touches
Erase any extra or sketchy lines and darken the outlines.
Why This Method Works for Beginners
This approach keeps things simple by breaking the tree into three main parts: trunk, branches, and leaves. No complicated shading or anatomy — just basic shapes and a bit of creativity.
Drawing trees is a great way to relax and practice your sketching skills. Once you’ve mastered this basic tree, you can experiment with different styles — from tall pines to sprawling oaks.
Bonus Tips: Drawing the Branches
To draw the branches, start by sketching a long, slightly curved line to represent the main structure. Then, add smaller lines branching off from it at various angles to mimic the natural, uneven growth of real branches. These offshoots should gradually taper and become thinner as they extend outward. Avoid making them too symmetrical or straight—branches often twist and turn slightly. You can add texture by drawing small, jagged lines along the surface to suggest bark, and include tiny offshoots or buds at the ends to give it a more realistic touch. Using light pencil strokes at first can help with shaping before committing to darker, final lines.
Conclusion
Drawing a tree may seem challenging at first, but with this quick and easy step-by-step guide, even beginners can create a natural-looking tree with confidence. By starting with simple shapes and gradually adding details like branches, leaves, and texture, you’ve learned how to draw a simple tree. Remember, every tree is unique—so feel free to experiment with different styles, shapes, and shading techniques as you continue to practice. With time and creativity, your tree drawings will only grow stronger ;).
