The Laws guide to nature drawing and journaling

Title:

Author:

Laws, John Muir, author, illustrator.

ISBN:

9781597143158

Personal Author:

Laws, John Muir, author, illustrator.

Publication Information:

Berkeley, California : Heyday, [2016]

Physical Description:

vi, 303 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 28 cm

Contents:

Observation and intentional curiosity -- Projects that focus awareness -- Methods of deepening inquiry -- Visual thinking and displaying information -- Your journaling kit and materials -- Nature drawing -- Media-specific techniques -- How to draw animals -- How to draw wildflowers -- How to draw trees, near and far -- How to draw landscapes.

Abstract:

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.

Subject Term:

Nature study.

Diaries -- Authorship.

Diaries -- Authorship. (OCoLC)fst00892658

Nature study. (OCoLC)fst01034707

Added Author:

Lygren, Emilie,

Document ID:

SD_ILS:2233264

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Library	Collection	Collection	Call Number	Status
Searching... Atwater Branch Library (Merced Co.)	Searching... Unknown	Non-Fiction	508 LAW	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Beale Memorial Library (Kern Co.)	Searching... Unknown	Adult Non-Fiction	508.0222 LAW	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Coalinga District Library (Coalinga-Huron)	Searching... Unknown	Non-Fiction Area	508.0222 LAW	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Farmersville Branch Library (Tulare Co.)	Searching... Unknown	Non-Fiction Area	508 LAW	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Fig Garden Branch (Fresno Co.)	Searching... Unknown	Non-fiction Area	508 LAW	Searching... Unknown
Searching... LeGrand Branch Library (Merced Co.)	Searching... Unknown	Non-Fiction	508 LAW	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Merced Main Library (Merced Co.)	Searching... Unknown	Non-Fiction	508 LAW	Searching... Unknown
Searching... North Fork Branch (Madera Co.)	Searching... Unknown	Adult Non-fiction	508 LAW	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Politi Branch Library (Fresno Co.)	Searching... Unknown	Non-fiction Area	508 LAW	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Snelling Branch Library (Merced Co.)	Searching... Unknown	Non-Fiction	508 LAW	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Woodward Park Library (Fresno Co.)	Searching... Unknown	Non-fiction Area	508 LAW	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Gold Medal, 2016 Foreword INDIES Book Awards

The best-selling, ultimate guide to nature drawing and journaling!

A potent combination of art, science, and boundless enthusiasm, this art instruction book from John Muir Laws (author of 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 valuable--even revelatory--to anyone interested in the natural world, no matter how rudimentary their artistic abilities.

Author Notes

John (Jack) Muir Laws is a principal leader and innovator of the worldwide nature journaling movement. Jack is a scientist, educator, and author, who helps people forge a deeper and more personal connection with nature through keeping illustrated nature journals and understanding science. His work intersects science, art, and mindfulness. Trained as a wildlife biologist and an associate of the California Academy of Sciences, he observes the world with rigorous attention. He looks for mysteries, plays with ideas, and seeks connections in all he sees. Attention, observation, curiosity, and creative thinking are not gifts, but skills that grow with training and deliberate practice. As an educator and author, Jack teaches techniques and supports routines that develop these skills to make them a part of everyday life.

Laws has written and illustrated several books including How to Teach Nature Drawing and Journaling (2020), The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling (2016), The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds (2012), Sierra Birds: a Hiker's Guide (2004), The Laws Guide to the Sierra Nevada (2007), and The Laws Pocket Guide Set to the San Francisco Bay Area (2009), all published by Heyday. He is a regular contributor to Bay Nature magazine with his "Naturalists Notebook" column.

Reviews (1)

Library Journal Review

Laws (The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds) strives to observe and appreciate the beauty of the natural world, and in this endeavor, the sketch journal is his essential tool. The author's rich guide presents all aspects of nature journaling, in which information meets art and words meet visual images. An introductory section includes chapters on curiosity and awareness, as well as on materials, tools, and techniques. A segment of open-ended project suggestions follows. The bulk of the book comprises step-by-step exercise chapters on animals, wildflowers, trees, and landscapes. While more text-heavy than many art instruction books, this book is packed with dynamically laid out spreads that both show and tell how to record one's discoveries in a journal format. Inspirational quotes from great writers, scientists, and artists pepper the pages. Laws emphasizes experience and process over the final product. VERDICT This title holds strong crossover appeal among environmentalism, earth sciences, hiking, and art instruction subjects. © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.