Week 6: Art in Nature

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“Art is born of the observation and investigation of nature.” - Marcus Tullius Ciero

This week we are combining two of the most powerful sources of peace and well-being - art and nature. The combination can help us cope by helping us be mindful and present as we create something beautiful outdoors in the warm sun.

Stop and Sketch  -  Flora

Take a moment and relay by sketching out in nature. This activity increase mindfulness as well as 2_11improves focus and observation skills. So we are doing it twice this week. Today is abut sketching plants and trees. Sketching can strengthen hand-eye coordination all while providing time in nature and enhance health and well-being.

Materials:

Whatever art material you have on-hand

  • Paper, cardboard, canvas, sketchbook, notebook, or Nature Journal
  • Pencils
  • Erasures
  • Watercolors, or other paints, even finger paints!
  • brushes
  • Crayons or pens, oil pastels, colored pencils, markers

Find a comfortable place in your yard and pick something to sketch. It can be a flower a bird, a bug, whatever you like! There is no right way to do this, just sit and start to sketch. You can use a pencil and make a detailed sketch or do something impressionistic with watercolors or finger paints.

This is meant to be no-stress, meditative activity, but if you are looking for some inspiration check out these videos about sketching in nature:

Make Chalk Paint 2 Ways

Sidewalk art has become a fun way for people to connect with each other during this time when we 4_5must stay part. In this activity we will create sidewalk chalk paint two ways, one uses those broken bits and soggy pieces of your sidewalk chalk, the other makes it out of common household items.

Recycled Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Recycled DIY Chalk Paint Recipe, Rhythm of Play

Cornstarch Chalk Paint

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint, Create. Play. Travel


Stop and Sketch -  Fauna

Take a moment and relay by sketching out in nature. This activity increase mindfulness as well as 6_5improves focus and observation skills. Sketching also can strengthen hand-eye coordination all while providing time in nature and enhance health and well-being.

Materials:

Whatever art material you have on-hand

  • Paper, cardboard, canvas, sketchbook, notebook, or Nature Journal
  • Pencils
  • Erasures
  • Watercolors, or other paints, even finger paints!
  • brushes
  • Crayons or pens, oil pastels, colored pencils, markers

Instructions:

Find a comfortable place in your yard and pick something to sketch. Find an animal or animals to sketch. There is no right way to do this, just sit and start to sketch. You can use a pencil and make a detailed sketch or do something impressionistic with watercolors or finger paints.

This is meant to be no-stress, meditative activity, but if you are looking for some inspiration check out these videos about sketching in nature:

Sketching Birds with John Laws

Drawing Insects · 30 Ways to Fill a Sketchbook with Minnie Small

Earth Art Pattern Play

Gather material to make whatever you like. Make a pattern, make a cat, make a square. Use what 8_6you have in your hard: sticks, stalks of grass, seed pods, pebbles, mulch, flowers and flower pebbles.

Materials:

  • Gathered materials
  • Camera (optional)

Directions:

Use the materials you’ve collected to make the shape of an animal, or to create a beautiful repeating patter. Make whatever you think is beautiful. If you are working in the front yard leave it is a place where passers by can enjoy.

Creating a Nature Mandala  Sprouting Wild Ones