The Sierra Club Guide to Sketching in Nature, Revised Edition

by Cathy Johnson

Featuring simple step-by-step instructions and hundreds of illustrations, this sketching and watercolor primer reveals how creating art can enhance any outdoor experience. In this inspirational guide, Cathy Johnson, a nationally recognized artist, naturalist and teacher, offers personal anecdotes, exercises and useful tips that are perfect for every amateur artist. This book covers a wide range of subjects, including: With more than 280 of Johnson’s own illustrations—both in color and black and white—this book will inspire you to appreciate every detail of the natural world. 
 

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nature

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

sometimes known as Kate, has worked as a naturalist, writer, and freelance artist for the past 30 years, and was staff naturalist and contributing editor for Country Living magazine for 11 years. She is a contributing editor to the Artist’s Magazine and Watercolor Magic and has had a regular column in Personal Journaling magazine, where she wrote on a subject she feels passionately about -- realizing the importance of creativity in our lives. She has written and illustrated -- her own work and that of others -- for a number of national magazines, including Science Digest, Harrowsmith Country Life, Sports Afield, Country Journal, Muzzlelader, Women's History, Early American Life, Sketchbook, Woodworker, Woman’s Day, Threads, Mother Earth News, National Wildlife Magazine, Sierra and additional magazines listed on the writer page. Her writing and artwork has been included in a number of nature anthologies and art books.

(from http://cathyjohnson.info/biography.html)

Reviews

[Anna Stegeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for people who have nature journals or if you just want to improve your sketching and drawing skills. This book is full of beautiful sketches and gives some great techniques for drawing the outdoors.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another place to look if you're interested in sketching in nature. Not the best book on the subject (I still like How to Keep a Naturalist's Notebook by Susan Leigh Tomlinson best).

The most useful parts are toward the beginning when she talks about tools and materials and then the three pencil tricks.

There seem to be a couple of different approaches to writing about drawing: 1) you can say well, art is ephemeral, ethereal, unspeakable, bla, bla, let me try to put it into words; or 2) you can say well, I can't really tell you what art is really about, but I can tell you this nifty little trick. Oh, and here's another little trick, and another...

Books that I've read on the subject do both some of 1 and some of 2. The 1 stuff just isn't useful really. To paraphrase Wittgenstein (PRETENTIOUSNESS ALERT!) what we can't say we should pass over in silence. The 2 stuff (the little tricks) isn't what art is really about. But it's those tricks that help me do some sketching without getting totally frustrated and then I can experience the unspeakable, ethereal, bla, bla, bla, that it's all suppose to be about.

Johnson in this book has substantial doses of both 1 and 2. Worth picking up.

[Rachel Dorminy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who was not trained on how to draw, this book was really helpful in regards to teaching on what to leave out of a drawing.

[Cailia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid introduction to sketching in nature by Cathy Johnson. The book covers graphite, pen/ink, colored pencil and watercolor techniques used to render nature subjects in the field.

I bought this book in 2002 and it has been on my shelf ever since. I just returned to it as I start to seriously pursue ecological art and botanical illustration. Keeping nature journals is an important part of my workflow, so I picked this book back up and read through it again. It reminded me of some tips and techniques that I haven't used in a long time and am sure to incorporate into my nature journaling going forward.

[Colleen Stinchcombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for beginners! The writing is enthusiastic and clear and encourages experimentation while also providing traditional guidelines for improving work. I got it from the library but liked it so much I bought a copy.

[Rick Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are lots of 'sketching in nature' primers out there, I feel as if this is one of the best. Some don't age well/feel dated, this one, even though nearly 40 years old, remains current and is comprehensive in a nicely succinct way.

[Ruth Bogan]

Beautifully written. The author's style is friendly and encouraging. Read it straight through. Will now go back and try some exercises.

[Myra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for someone with experience drawing but new to nature drawing. NOT a good book for someone who is just starting a drawing practice.

[Maliades · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this out from the library and 2 days later, I had to just buy a copy. I love this book! I love how it explains how to use all the supplies, and different techniques you can get from each one. Plus I really enjoy drawing or painting from nature, and this book is just loaded with tips and ideas! I'm even more inspired now to get a really good nature journal going.

[Apryl Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

(1.03.1994), A really inspiring book for me. I already have learned the rules, now I can learn the techniques. It was like looking at a collection of Johnson’s sketches and painting with her giving explanations. I realize that I will best learn from experimentation—experience—but it’s good to get a few pointers from those who have learned quite a bit already.

[LandscapeArchitect Books]

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University / College of Architecture and Urban Studies / Landscape Architecture Department / Recommended Reading / Landscape Graphics

[Reuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nature sketching is one of my favorite kinds of art to do. I read this twice: Jan. 2000 and 5/25/02.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great source: well written, composed and illustrated it presents a solid approach to conquering problems any sketching naturalist will have at some point.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great in depth guide to sketching in nature.

[Brenda Yarborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best book written on sketching in nature.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good sketching guide.