Forsythia Yellow
Growing up, my most memorable late winter flowering shrub was the Forsythia. I walked by a whole hedgerow every morning on the way to school. It now makes me wonder what kind of pigment those flowers could produce. (Shout out to all those natural hand-made pigment creators. I love following @joanne_green_art on instagram for insp on how to do this.)
Quince Red
I was visiting our local botanical gardens a few weeks ago and this Flowering Quince caught my attention. It was, as often is the case in Texas, already in the warm 80s and many of the Camellia flowers were a little scorched. This burst of flame caught my attention quickly.
New Growth Green 
Sketchbook Challenge for March: Eco-Friendly Nature Art Edition
1. Sketchbook Playtime:
Embark on a month-long journey of sketchbook exploration, where your sketchpad becomes a canvas for nature sketches. Use pencil or pen and ink to capture simple scenes of your backyard.
Take your sketchbook outdoors daily. Sketch the play of light on leaves, the textures of bark, or the delicate dance of petals. This challenge invites you to slow down, observe, and document the ever-changing canvas of your backyard.
Choose those pops of color that you feel drawn to. Try monochromatic sketches in that pallette.
2. Palette of Seasons: Painting in Your Sketchbook:
Transform your sketchbook into a palette for the changing seasons. Experiment with watercolor, gouache, or acrylic to bring the colors of your backyard onto paper. I have a friend who solely paints oil on paper. Check out her works here. You'll need to prep the paper with some gesso. Check her out here.
3. Mixed Media Moments: Collage in Your Sketchbook:
Infuse your sketchbook with mixed media magic by incorporating found objects from your backyard. Collage leaves, twigs, and other treasures onto your sketchbook pages.
Try a bit of embroidery on paper. We recommend pre-poke the holes and stitch by hand with DMC floss. This is page 108 of Jenny Hart's book Embroidered Effects.
Tap/click on the photo to visit her shop Sublime Stitching for more embroidery inspiration (no affiliate perks for me, I just adore her work).
Grab a late winter color palette and capture the mood of winter, the early blossoms of spring, the textures of spent blossoms. The challenge is not just to paint scenes but to infuse your sketchbook with the energy of nature's seasonal palette.
Experiment with the tactile experience of mixed media. Use your sketchbook as a canvas for arranging and affixing natural objects, adding depth and meaning to your artistic expressions. This challenge encourages you to push the boundaries of traditional sketching into a realm of sensory exploration.
Tips for an Enriching Sketchbook Challenge
- Carry your sketchbook with you for spontaneous inspiration.
- Experiment with different drawing and painting tools.
- Allow each page to be a unique reflection of your artistic journey.
Steps for Mixed Media Sketchbook Collage
- Collect natural materials from your backyard.
- Arrange found objects on your sketchbook pages.
- Experiment with different adhesives to affix the objects.
- Use drawing and painting elements to enhance the collage.
- Allow your sketchbook to become a representation of your connection to nature.
As your sketchbook becomes a visual chronicle of nature's wonders, each stroke and collage piece becomes a testament to your artistic exploration. May this Sketchbook Challenge lead you to discover new dimensions of creativity, mindfulness, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Here's to a March filled with Late Winter Color Vibes and the humble power of nature in artistic expression! 🎨📔🌿
Click above to visit our new pieces, inspired by the color palette of late winter.