Nature Journaling: Explore, Express, Connect!
NEW 2-day SUNDAY series WITH KATE RUTTER at The Foster Museum
SPRING SERIES: Feb 8, MaR 8
SUMMER SERIES: May 17, Jun 14
FALL SERIES: Aug 23, Sep 27
WINTER SERIES: Nov 15, Dec 13
SUNDAY DAY 1
Session 1: 10:00am - 12:30pm
Session 2: 1:00 - 3:30pm
SUNDAY DAY 2
Session 3: 10:00am - 12:30pm
Field Trip: 1:30 - 4:00pm
FEE: $45 PER SESSION, $20 FIELD TRIP
Full Series advanced purchase only: $140 for all three Session and the Field Trip
ALL MATERIALS PROVIDED
Nature journal enthusiast Kate Rutter sketching out in the field
Session 1: Intro to Nature Journaling ($45)
Meet at The Foster Museum for a close look at Tony Foster's majestic plein-air artworks. Kate will introduce basic nature journaling methods with guided activities that use words, pictures, and numbers to ask questions, track data, and explore form through contour drawing, diagrammatic sketching, and value sketches. Then we'll head outside, where you'll apply these skills in a field setting. We wrap with a closing circle for sharing and discussion of next steps for your practice. All materials provided, no prior experience necessary.
Session 2: Color in Your Nature Journal ($45)
Starting at The Foster Museum, the class will explore effective ways to use color in a nature observation practice. 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. All materials provided, prior nature journaling or drawing/painting experience helpful, but not required.
Session 3: Celebrating Place in Your Nature Journal ($45)
Opening again at The Foster Museum, the class will find inspiration in Tony Foster's watercolor wilderness Journeys, identifying elements that communicate a place's power. We'll explore four different approaches to bring the richness of place into your journaling practice: Spaces (metadata & maps); Senses (sounds, smells, & other senses as appropriate); Scenes (lists & landscapes); and Souvenirs (elements & moments.) The session takes place both indoors and outside. We wrap with a closing circle for sharing and discussion of next steps for your practice. All materials provided, no prior experience necessary.
Field Trip: Baylands Nature Journaling Experience ($20)
Nature Journal the wonders of the San Francisco Baylands! The field trip experience opens with a mini-workshop on a seasonal topic, followed by unstructured, open journaling time. Kate will be on hand to answer questions, to provide tips, and to share feedback if desired. We wrap with a sharing circle to learn from each other and to celebrate the discoveries of the day. While some previous Nature Journaling experience is helpful, it's not required. This is a great way to start or to continue your Nature Journal practice.
Note: This session meets at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. Directions to the location will be sent to all registered participants.
Cancellation Policy: Full refund (less processing fees) with 7 days' advance notice; no refund thereafter unless the spot can be filled from the waitlist.
About the instructor
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 with an experimental and rambunctious visual practice, Kate’s education work spans online teaching, corporate and nonprofit trainings and conferences, nature journal workshops at public & private gardens and nurseries, and serving as an adjunct professor at the California College of the Arts. Kate is a Certified California Naturalist, a board member of the Wild Wonder Foundation, and holds a B.A. in Studio Art from Wellesley College. She instas at @katerutter and blogs at www.intelleto.com.
