Materials

What to bring?

Essential materials :

— pencil and/or pen

—sheets of blank paper or gridded/graph paper

—clipboard or other firm surface for paper

— beach chair or camp chair

— water, hat, snacks or whatever you need for your comfort

That’s it! Keep it simple to get started.

Helpful but optional:

— small (6”) ruler

— small sketchbook (7” x  10” is a good size on lap)  OR

—field/lab notebook (blank or gridded pages) with sturdy front & back covers for support

— colored pencils

— magnifying glass

— binoculars

Personal style options—up to each person’s eventual preference, such as:

—stopwatch or counters

—tweezers

—field guide books

—tape or clear film, or mounting block or other support for certain items

—erasers

—watercolors, watercolor pencils, brushes

—inks and dip pens

—charcoal, conté, pastels

Photo: Nature Journaling participant at Ellwood Mesa’s 20th Anniversary, May 2025