Congratulations, you’ve crossed the finish line of the Nature Sketching Challenge! Give yourself a pat-on-the-back for a job well done. Make sure to read all the way to the end if you want to learn about a new way to work with me in order to continue building upon your skills as a nature sketcher and journalist.
My goal for this challenge was to help you sweep away some of the common roadblocks to building a routine sketching practice. Like riding your first childhood bicycle—with training wheels and a big basket on the handlebars decorated with plastic flowers—the challenge was designed to provide all that you need to start down that road with skill and confidence.
As they say, with every ending comes a new beginning. I’ll be keeping in touch with you on a regular basis with more mini-challenges and other exciting ways for you to continue sketching with me in the future.
Let’s review what you learned
First, we addressed the elephant in the room: fear (Day 1). The simple fear of failure or inadequacy keeps many people paralyzed from ever picking up a pencil.
Next, you gathered your art supplies (Day 3) and created a cabinet of curiosities (Day 4). You also practiced the foundational sketching skills demonstrated in the video tutorials by drawing a leaf (Day 2), a robin (Day 5), and a frog (Day 8). You progressed with the confidence and ability to draw virtually anything (Day 12) with your new skills and knowledge of your subject matter.
You strengthened your creativity with the right-brain drawing exercises (Day 11), and you were given lots of inspirational ideas for what to sketch in the great outdoors (Day 13), along with a list of creative places around your town (Day 7) to which you can bring your sketchbook. I also gave you my top suggestions for the best clothing to wear when you’re sketching in nature, (Day 14) as well as some tools to help you observe your subjects in deeper, more meaningful ways.
Finally, I provided some tips to help you incorporate sketching into your daily routine (Day 10), and I reviewed the many potential benefits (Day 6) of pursuing such a rewarding practice. Most importantly, however, you learned about the secrets that nature can reveal (Day 9) when you slow down long enough to observe and sketch from real life.
Whether you’re a curious nature lover, an outdoor educator, a parent, or a student, sketching in nature can enrich your life, reduce stress, improve your health, and provide you with an entertaining and educational hobby that will last a lifetime.
Big News
An invitation for my graduates!
If you’ve enjoyed the Nature Sketching Challenge, I’d like to share a bit about a brand new program I’ve developing that I think you’ll really enjoy. In a nutshell, this web-based program provides ongoing monthly inspiration, support, and feedback as you grow your sketching practice.
The program includes in-depth monthly tutorials, with tools and techniques, for sketching specific flora and fauna. We’ll build on the drawing skills we covered in the free challenge to include: the depiction of 3-dimensional form; perspective; textures; patterns; and of course, color (my favorite subject!). It also includes a section with all the content from this Nature Sketching Challenge series for your reference.
How does the program work?
The program, that I’m calling ‘Christine’s Nature Nook’ is based on a monthly membership model in which you’ll pay a small modest fee, and you’ll be free to back out (though we’ll miss you) any time you feel that you’re not getting enough value from the program.
Best of all, as a graduate of the Nature Sketching Challenge, you’ll have an active voice in choosing content for the program.
Are you intrigued?
Join the membership for JUST ONE DOLLAR.
