Below you will find all of the supplies from the 2021 nature journaling conference!
I did my best to find links where you can find all the nature journaling supplies. The intention is to have all of these in one place that is easy to look at for people who are going to take the classes still (video recordings post conference) or as reminders for people who took the classes during the conference. It will also be useful for people who did not buy tickets but want to know what supplies the different teachers used. I recommend buying directly from the teachers when possible, I have listed their online stores below. I have also included affiliate links to amazon for supplies that are available there. I will get a small percentage from purchases made there. Click on the link after the name of the art supply or book.
The classes are listed in order from the beginning of the conference and by name of teacher. Most of the text is copied from the teachers own writing I have added occasionally (note from Marley) before giving my own words or information.
Melinda Nakagawa “Journaling Marine Wildlife of Monterey Bay”: Journal: Canson XL Mixed Media spiral sketchbook, 7×10 size. https://amzn.to/3jsobra
She also uses: John Muir Laws’ Sketchbook : http://johnmuirlaws.com/product/the-laws-sketchbook-for-nature-journaling/
Platinum Fountain Pen. medium nib. https://amzn.to/3jt2l6Q
(Note from Marley: I am not sure which converter she uses but there are several that could be used to allow you to use the waterproof ink she recommends)
Carbon (waterproof) ink. https://amzn.to/3Aa7QgJ
Pentel Aquash waterbrush, Medium https://amzn.to/2UeZdRr
and Large https://amzn.to/363vJZv
John Muir Laws’ Custom Palette: http://johnmuirlaws.com/product/custom-watercolor-palette/
Wendy Hollender “Botanical Sketchbook on Kraft Paper with Colored Pencils
Pencil Sharpeners:Recommendations to choose from:
Desktop pencil sharpener:some brands are: Muji https://amzn.to/3Aa8zOZ ,CarlAngel-5(Rodahle or Q-Connect
Hand held pencil sharpener: Faber Castell Pencil sharpener in a box. https://amzn.to/3h4VVcu
Graphite pencil. H lead. I like Tombow H pencil. https://amzn.to/2SzfksG
Erasers:Kneaded eraser https://amzn.to/3drGdWU
Tombow Mono round Zero Eraser https://amzn.to/3h7jXUy
Small see thru Ruler for measuring: Westcott See –thru ruler 12 inch https://amzn.to/361jwVj
Colored pencils: Faber-Castell polychromos colored pencils (note from Marley: here is a set that contains most of her colors. Specific colors she mentioned listed below) https://amzn.to/3y6lwrd
●Cadmium Yellow 107●Cadmium Yellow Lemon 205●Pale Geranium Lake 121●Middle Purple Pink 125●Ultramarine 120●Cobalt Turquoise 153●Permanent Green Olive 167●Earth Green Yellowish 168●Earth Green 172●Dark Cadmium Orange 115●Purple Violet 136●Dark Sepia 175●Dark Indigo 157●Chrome Oxide Green 278●Red Violet 194●White 101●Ivory 103●Warm Grey IV 273●Burnt Ochre 187●Venetian Red 190●Light Yellow Ochre 183●Burnt Sienna 283●Madder 142●Olive Green Yellowish 173●Bistre 170●Dark Flesh 130Faber-Castell
Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils: https://amzn.to/2U7Ftzk These have the same color names as the Faber Castell polychromos.●Middle Purple Pink 125●Permanent Green Olive 167●Dark Cadmium Orange 115●Pale Geranium Lake 121●Purple Violet 136●Dark Sepia 175●Cadmium Yellow 107●Burnt Sienna 283●White 101●Light Yellow Ochre 183●Warm Gray IV 273●Earth Green 172●Ultramarine 120
Verithin pencils:*Dark Brown https://amzn.to/3qAJbNV , *Black https://amzn.to/2Ua6zFZ *Gray 70% https://amzn.to/2TnPt7o
Prismacolor White Pencil (Note from Marley: this is a 12 pack which is way cheaper than buying one by itself. Split with a friend or nature journal club) https://amzn.to/3jrdAwI
Brushes:Watercolor brushes by Interlon in sizes: 0/3, 0, 6 https://drawbotanical.com/product/interlon-watercolor-brushes/
Or mix of Waterbrushes from Pentel https://amzn.to/3w088ne
Collapsible Water Cup by Faber Castell https://amzn.to/3x8pMGC
Palette for mixing watercolor pencils:A sheet of Dura-Lar matte film https://amzn.to/2Ua7wy3 for use with Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils as a mixing palette Or this awesome Caran d’Ache Aquarelle WatercolorPalette https://amzn.to/3Aa873j
Stonehenge Kraft Paper available in pads 9 x 12 inch size or 11 x 14 inch size https://amzn.to/3h1XAzM . I make custom reclosable spiral binding pads that can hold refills of stonehenge kraft paper available at: https://drawbotanical.com/product/custom-hot-press-watercolor-spiral-pad/
Small sheets of tracing paper any kind https://amzn.to/3y8krPW
Embossing Tools for paper Set of 1 -3 small sizes) https://amzn.to/2Te2RLA Frog prong flower holder (optional) Magnifying glass Draftsmen Mini Duster (Brush for wiping away debris) Recommended Text“The Joy of Botanical Drawing”,by Wendy Hollender Art supplies available at: http://www.drawbotanical.com
Amy Schlesser “Doodling Diagrams” No supply list for this class but Amy recommeded this book. “Dear Data” Book: https://amzn.to/3qCygDo This book is also really good on diagrams: https://amzn.to/3qDWOMt
Kristin Antonio “Microscopic Observations of the Natural World”
Portable Carson Micromini Microscope https://amzn.to/3AiUfnl , Phone adapter Clip https://amzn.to/2TfcXvL , foldscope https://www.foldscope.com/
concave slides https://www.carolina.com/microscope-slides-covers/student-quality-concavity-slides/FAM_632970.pr , covers, sample containers
Day 2 of the Nature Journaling Conference
Karen Romano Young “Telling Your Science Stories Visually” Karen did not give a list of supplies but here are some of her books and a great book about visual story telling and comics.
Understanding Comics https://amzn.to/2UbJZgc
Her Books:
Try This https://amzn.to/2ULLxxG , Bug Science, Shark Quest https://amzn.to/3qEn9dl , Doodlebug https://amzn.to/3jvgsc7 , A Girl, a Raccoon and the Midnight Moon https://amzn.to/3w9Snu3
Ryan Petterson “Virtual Fieldtrip: Geology of Death Valley”
Strathmore Visual Journal (mixed media, 9x12in) https://amzn.to/3h4EA3Band a basic ballpoint pen (Bic Cristal, 1.6mm). https://amzn.to/3qAKpc6 “Geology Underfoot in Death Valley” https://amzn.to/3qD5EKf
Mattias Lanas “Field Sketching with Water Soluble Ink”
Pilot Black Razorpoint: https://amzn.to/3weAsCA
Sakura white Gelly roll (assorted sizes): https://amzn.to/3yaOTsx
Sakura water brush (3 sizes): https://amzn.to/3jtHlgi
Roseannn Hanson “Watercolor Made Simple!”
Paint (I do sell the Minimalist Paint Kit https://www.exploringoverland.com/shop/minimalist-paint-kit I demonstrate with, but you can also compile your own. Yellow: a neutral, transparent, non-staining (“lifting”) yellow. My favorite is Cobalt Yellow aka Aureolin (PY40). https://amzn.to/3jv4xL7 Will also work: Hansa Yellow. https://amzn.to/365RzvI You don’t want a really warm yellow such as Quinacridone gold. Magenta: a cool, transparent, non-staining (“lifting”) magenta. My favorite is Quinacridone Rose (PV19) https://amzn.to/3jyTO2m . Will also work: Quinacridone Magenta https://amzn.to/2Tlo3iw . Note: you don’t want a red. Red is not a primary color!Cyan: a cool, transparent, non-staining (“lifting”) blue. My favorite is Manganese Blue Hue (PB15)https://amzn.to/2UjihhO . Will also work: Cerulean (PB35) https://amzn.to/3jx5vXo or Manganese Blue by Old Holland (PB33).Burn Sienna: https://amzn.to/2UWPcJd I like Daniel Smith but any will do. Indanthrone Blue: a warm, transparent dark blue (PB60)https://amzn.to/3AfMAGx . Tools Paint brush (any round-style will do) or water brushWater container (if not using water brush)Micro-fibre cloth or paper towels or old towel PLUS some kleenex Watercolor paper (loose or in notebook), minimum 90-pound weight. Cold-pressed is probably best for beginners. Strathmore 400 series 9X12 90lb cold press https://amzn.to/2UWPsIb Several squares of waxed paper for a fun way to do quick “resists” and a dull pencil to do the transfer
Day 3 of the Nature Journaling Conference
Emilie Lygren “Writing our Way to Wonder: Creating Poetry from Journal Entries” Emilie did not require any special materials but you can find her book of poetry here https://emilielygren.com/books-broadsides/
Carol and Margaret Mackie “Making Your Own Journal: Easy Small Books for Nature Journaling” This awesome class had a very simple supply list you probably have at home. You can also check out their etsy shop http://ArtcrossingsStudio.etsy.com
- 7 sheets of printer paper
- · scrap paper
- · glue stick
- · scissors
- · pencil
- · old credit card
Liz Clayton Fuller “Quick Bird Studies in Gouache”
Stillman and Birn Nova Series Tricolor Sketchbook, cool grey toned paper, 7×10”https://amzn.to/3jrsh2V
– Size 8 Flat Brush (for laying down large areas of color) https://amzn.to/2TewjB7
Size 4 Round Brush https://amzn.to/3h4isGC Size 1 Round Brush (for detail and texture) https://amzn.to/3A8PIns
– Ceramic palette for color mixing (any palette will do!) https://amzn.to/2TferGj
Airtight palette (note from Marley: Liz did not mention this in her list but I think this is the palette she uses to store her paints. I put my gouache into a regular palette and it totally dried out and crumbled. During here class I saw that she was using two palettes, an airtight one for keeping the colors and another one for mixing. I’m pretty sure this is the airtight one she was using: https://amzn.to/2TmUTQc
– Small spray bottle for keeping gouache moist https://arttoolkit.com/products/pocket-mister/ use promo code marley15 to get 15% off before July!
Two cups of water, one for clean water and one for rinsing brushes https://arttoolkit.com/products/x-shot-collapsible-water-cup/use promo code marley15
(note from Marley: Below are the colors she has in her palette (bold colors were used in the class. I did not put links to each color tube individually but there is a palette that is similar: Holbein Set of 24 5ml tubes https://amzn.to/3h5Hnte
– 1st row: Ivory Black https://amzn.to/3ybMQVe
Zinc White, Terre Verte, Emerald Green, Permanent Green Deep, Cobalt Blue, Peacock Blue, Primary Cyan
– 2nd row: Raw Umber, Chinese Orange, Flame Red, Alizarin Crimson, Opera Pink, Violet, Ultra-marine deep, Primary Magenta
– 3rd row: Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Permanent Yellow Orange, Yellow Ochre, Naples Yellow, Permanent Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Primary Yellow
Erica Stephens ” Journaling the Jurassic: A Fossil Fieldtrip”
* Pencil & eraser (kneaded eraser)
* Journal – preferably with connected pages in the middle (The Laws Sketchbook for Nature Journaling) http://johnmuirlaws.com/product/the-laws-sketchbook-for-nature-journaling/
* Watercolors (Koi Watercolor Pocket Field Sketch Box, comes with water brush) https://amzn.to/2TluK48
* A few different colors of gel pens, colored pencils &/or markers for the metadata (Artwerk gel pen set w/refills)(note from Marley: I spent a while trying to figure out which gel pens she is using, I could not find a brand called Artwerk but these gel pens seem to have a case with that name on them. https://amzn.to/3y7NX8k https://amzn.to/3yaX4Ff
Optional: Curiosity ..and love of dinosaurs! (note from Marley: I could not find where to get either of these online, supply your own.
Richard Louv Keynote Speaker
Richard did not mention any supplies but here are some of his books.
“Last child in the woods” https://amzn.to/3hp1wcG
“The Nature Principle” https://amzn.to/3y4xzp0
Day 4 of the Nature Journaling Conference
Painting Shiny Bugs Class with John Muir Laws
Big hat: Jack Recommends going to a garden store and picking the biggest brimmed hat that you can find. He recommends foldable synthetic type hats for durability, packability and longevity. Here is an example from the company Columbia: https://amzn.to/3x8CPI
All of these supplies are available on his website store: http://johnmuirlaws.com/store/
Black Grape Prismacolor Pencil
Non Photo blue Pencil
Aquash Waterbrush
Blue Pencil he used for highlights (not sure what color but it was probably Prismacolor brand
Permanent White Gouache he uses, available if you buy his complete palette or you can just get the gouache here: https://amzn.to/3hp2CVQ
His Palette from his website: http://johnmuirlaws.com/product/custom-watercolor-palette/
Or the individual colors he used in the class
Pthalo Yellow Green https://amzn.to/3jvy47B
Pthalo Blue https://amzn.to/2TmYsG4
Hansa Yellow Light https://amzn.to/3x91ZXc
Quinacridone Gold https://amzn.to/2SBJLOW
Winsor Violet https://amzn.to/3wd81od
Mike Rohde “Creative Lettering for Your Nature Journal”
The Sketchnote Handbook: https://amzn.to/3y8PkDz
The Sketchnote Workbook: https://amzn.to/3hk4hMt
Gel pen or felt tip pen, medium (0.5 or 0.7mm is ideal) black Paper Mate Flair (his favorite pen) 12 pack of black : https://amzn.to/3qGnEUm
Gel or felt tip pen, medium, your favorite color – mine is teal: Sakura Gelly Roll 5 colors including teal, pink, purple, blue, magenta .6 mm https://amzn.to/3qEwAcw
Paper mate flair (his favorite pen) 24 Color pack: https://amzn.to/361uY3e
Mark Simmons “Cartooning Techniques for Journaling”
– Sakura Pigma Microns (I like the chunky 08 size) https://amzn.to/3h6ky8Q
– Zebra Brush Pens (sometimes found under the “Zebra Zensations” brand) Variety pack with 4 types. https://amzn.to/3qDPXCF
– white gel pens and Liquid Paper correction pens for highlights and touchup https://amzn.to/3wbKUdM
(Marley prefers: Jumbo Correction pen for large https://amzn.to/3hmgdxgand Uniball Signo for Fine: Uni-ball Signo White Gel Pen: https://amzn.to/3yOAzXV
– Pentel Aquash Water Brush: Pentel Waterbrush Large: https://amzn.to/3v0gLyb
Art alternatives 11X17 Sketchbook: https://www.joann.com/art-alternatives-hard-bound-sketch-book-11in-x-8in-landscape/17639303.html
Understanding Comics book: https://amzn.to/2UbJZgc
Amy Tan “Backyard Chronicles”
(Note from Marley: No special nature journaling supplies are needed for her class but Amy did give this list of her favorite tools and books)
- John Muir Laws: The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds and The Laws Guide to Nature Journaling and Drawing
- Bernd Heinrich: The Nesting Season, The Mind of the Raven, WInter World, Summer World, One Wild Bird at a Time
- Keith Hansen, Edward C Beedy, and Adam Donkin: Hansen’s Field Guide to the Birds of the Sierra Nevada
Favorite equipment
For in the field:
- Custom Nature Journal Bag and Laws Sketchbook (both available in John Muir Laws’ store: https://johnmuirlaws.com/store/
- mechanical pencils: .5 HB, .5 4B, .7 HB, .7 2B, Pentel Twist-Erase Click Mechanical Pencil:https://amzn.to/3mUxOid
- selection of Faber-Castell colored pencils stored in a small plastic case
- sharpener, kneaded eraser, smudge stick, measuring tape, magnifying glass and small binder clips, stored in a pencil pouch
For journaling and sketching The Backyard Chronicles at home:
- Fiorentina journal refills, unlined, 7 x 10. (6.25” x 9.5”), 288 pages (I use my own covers) (note from Marley: this is the closest thing I could find to to the paper she mentions: https://amzn.to/3h7jp0G )
- mechanical pencils: .5 HB, .5 4B, .7 HB, .7 2B
- Prismacolor colored pencils
For detailed bird drawings:
- Moleskine Art Sketchbook, Hard Cover, A3 (11.75″ x 16.5″) Plain/Blank, Black, 96 Pages
- Caran d’Ache Luminance colored pencils
- .5 HB pencil
- kneaded eraser, Tombow mono zero eraser
- stylus with tiniest point possible
- magnifying glass
- smudge sticks of different widths
- Gamsol mineral spirits and fine tip brush for blending and softening
Bethan Burton “Skyscapitos: Mastering Cloud Shapes and Sky Colors
Arches watercolor paper Arches 300gsm cold pressed watercolour paper: https://amzn.to/2UiUluA (note from Marley…this paper is expensive but has a big effect on your results. I used my normal nature journal paper and some of the techniques that Bethan demonstrated did not work)
Washi tape or masking tape: https://amzn.to/3625eUv
Masking fluid: https://amzn.to/3y9Lfz1
Staedtler Lumicolor permanent pencil: https://amzn.to/3dxAO0p (note from Marley. I’m not totally sure this is the kind of pencil that she mentioned.)
Watercolor: (note from Marley: Bethan mentioned using any watercolor you have. I recommend Daniel Smith and have provided links to those examples of the colors she mentions) lighter blues (such as cerulean, cobalt, ultramarine, manganese and pthalo) to achieve a convincing sky colour. We will also talk about darker blues (such as indigo, prussian or indanthrone blue)
Brushes: two flat brushes (6 mm ~#0 https://amzn.to/2UQjahT and 15 mm ~14# https://amzn.to/3js94OA ) for making washes and a round brush (size 6) for adding detail https://amzn.to/3hrfqev
Dr J. Drew Lanham Keynote Speaker
Some books by him
“The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature” https://amzn.to/3dvVXrE (audiobook) Hardcover: https://amzn.to/364Y2H2
“Sparrow Envy” https://amzn.to/367MyTj
Day 5 of the Nature Journaling Conference
Vitor Velez “Even the Sky is Not the Limit: Creative Layouts”
Supplies coloring pencils from Faber-Castell(polychromos series): .Cold Grey IV.Black.Walnut Brown.Dark Phthalo Green. Here is a set that contains his colors and more. https://amzn.to/3qEPdgt
Sterre Verbokkem: “Working with Toned Paper in Black and White
Strathmore Toned Paper: https://amzn.to/3w3dcr3
Bic Mechanical Pencil. HB or 2B
Black ink https://amzn.to/3dxzASN or very dark watercolour too https://amzn.to/2SBRUTw . Water brush https://amzn.to/3v0gLyb.
Fineliner pens. https://amzn.to/3663Y2K
Faber Castell white charcoal pencil (note from Marley: this pencil is the most essential tool to getting that uniqie style that makes Sterre’s work stand out. https://amzn.to/3dxHOdH
Grey posca marker https://amzn.to/3663lWE
Robin Carlson “Lively and Expressive Field Sketching in Brush Pen and Watercolor”
Fude Demanen Fountain Pen: https://amzn.to/2QBCJby
Pentel Pocket Brush: https://amzn.to/3w7EjRL
Kuretake Fude pen #8: https://amzn.to/3juL1hW
Pentel Waterbrush Large (used with ink): https://amzn.to/3v0gLyb
Carbon ink https://amzn.to/3dxzASN
Aquash gray https://amzn.to/2SHQXcy
Kim McNett “Virtual Fieldtrip: Coastal Alaska”
Dry bags sea to summit : https://amzn.to/3dyyHcS
Prismacolor non-photo blue pencil https://amzn.to/2Uaduz0
Pentel Mechanical Pencil size 0.5 : https://amzn.to/3mUxOid
Micron Pens 01, 03 and05 https://amzn.to/3663Y2K
Clear Pocket Ruler https://amzn.to/3yb6IYt
Pentel Waterbrush Large: https://amzn.to/3v0gLyb
WatercolorPaper(coldpress#140) https://amzn.to/3dwE7Fc
Watercolors:-UltramarineBlue(MGraham) https://amzn.to/3hkMB3n -CobaltBlue(MGraham) https://amzn.to/3AdIBKt -CeruleanBlue(MGraham) https://amzn.to/3jwphCy -CobaltTeal(MGraham)https://amzn.to/3AiCuEE -PermanentAlizarinCrimson(MGraham)https://amzn.to/3x81EUA -QuinacridoneRose(DanielSmith)https://amzn.to/2U8WXvb -BurntSienna(MGraham)https://amzn.to/3666Mg1
Kate Rutter “The Sense-Ational Nature Journal”
Fudenosuke Brush Pen from Tombow. https://amzn.to/3w6gHN9
