The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling

A potent combination of art, science, and boundless enthusiasm, the latest art instruction book from John Muir Laws (The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds) is a how-to guide for becoming a better artist and a more attentive naturalist. In straightforward text complemented by step-by-step illustrations, dozens of exercises lead the hand and mind through creating accurate reproductions of plants and animals as well as landscapes, skies, and more. Laws provides clear, practical advice for every step of the process for artists at every level, from the basics of choosing supplies to advanced techniques. While the book's advice will improve the skills of already accomplished artists, the emphasis on seeing, learning, and feeling will make this book valuableeven revelatoryto anyone interested in the natural world, no matter how rudimentary their artistic abilities. A sketchbook, constructed to withstand excursions in the field and containing several exercises from The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling, is also available.

Acknowledgments
Why Keep a Nature Journal?

OBSERVATION AND INTENTIONAL CURIOSITY
PROJECTS THAT FOCUS AWARENESS

• Collections and Field Guides - Finding Patterns - Exceptions, and Changes Over Time - Recording Events - Maps - Cross Sections, and Block Diagrams

METHODS OF DEEPENING INQUIRY

• Writing - Diagramming - Depicting Birdsong - Lists - Counting and Measuring - Data Tools - Your Curiosity Kit

VISUAL THINKING AND DISPLAYING INFORMATION

• Taking Notes - Structuring Your Thoughts - Plans, Projections, and Sections - Organizing a Page: Titles, Icons, Frames, Callouts, and Arrows

YOUR JOURNALING KIT AND MATERIALS

• Field Kits - Essential Tools - The Right Journal - Your Palette

NATURE DRAWING

• You Can Do It - Flow - Structure and Shape - Linework - Value - Color - Details and Texture - How to Show Depth - Composition - Shortcuts and Hacks

MEDIA-SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES

• Graphite - The Non-Photo Blue Pencil - Water Soluble Pens - Markers - Toned Paper - Colored Pencil - Iris Step by Step - Watercolor Pencils - Gouache - Heron Step by Step - Rock Pigments

HOW TO DRAW ANIMALS

• Insect Anatomy - Ladybug Step by Step - Insect Textures - Butterfly Step by Step - Transparent Wings Step by Step - Spiders - Amphibians and Reptiles - Ensatina Step by Step - Leopard Frog Step by Step - Scales - Birds - Lazuli Bunting Step by Step - Song Sparrow - Birds in Flight - Duck Profile Step by Step - Assembling a Mallard- Sketching Waders - Red-Tailed Hawk Step by Step - Mammals - Muscles and Fur - Mule Deer, Bear, and Mountain Lion Step by Step - Tracking

HOW TO DRAW WILDFLOWERS

• Flower Symmetry - Foreshortening - Coned-Shaped Flowers Step by Step - Leaves and Petals - Plant Textures - Mushrooms Step by Step

HOW TO DRAW TREES, NEAR AND FAR

• Contour Lines - Shadows, Branches, and Bark Texture - Conifers - Douglas Fir Step by Step - Oak Tree Step by Step - Rethinking Trees

HOW TO DRAW LANDSCAPES

• Landscaptios - Rocks - Rock Outcrop Step by Step - Sketching Mountains - Mountain Landscape Step by Step - Grasses - Oak Woodland Step by Step - Coniferous Forest Edge Step by Step - Waterfalls - Drawing Water and Waves- Clouds - Sunsets - Mountain Sunset Step by Step

A Final Thought
Notes
References
About the Author