Seeing Nature Through Scientific Botanical Sketch Journaling - Online

When we pause to sketch a plant, something quiet and transformative happens. We step out of the rush of daily life and enter the patient rhythm of the living world.

Illustration by Crystal Shin

Botanical sketch journaling is not about creating museum-worthy masterpieces or achieving technical perfection—it is an act of deep observation, curiosity, and connection with nature. By translating what you see onto the page, you begin to notice the subtle architecture of a leaf, the delicate swirl of a seedpod, or the rich, shifting hues of autumn foliage in ways that a camera—or a passing glance—simply cannot capture.

Illustration by Crystal Shin

Led by a professional botanical illustrator at the University of Washington Herbarium in the Burke Museum, this engaging 2.5-hour online workshop bridges the gap between scientific observation and artistic expression. Designed for all experience levels—from complete beginners to seasoned nature lovers—you’ll learn how to observe plants with an illustrator’s eye, recognizing key morphological characteristics and diagnostic features while building a rewarding and approachable sketch journaling practice.

Illustration by Crystal Shin

Through live demonstrations featuring Pacific Northwest fall foliage and dried seedpods, you’ll learn techniques for sketching with confidence, capturing fine textures through clean linework, and using watercolor strategically to highlight important plant features. You’ll also discover how to pair drawings with descriptive notes to create elegant, informative journal pages. Whether your goal is to begin a nature journaling practice or deepen your understanding of plant biology through art, you’ll leave with practical skills—and a fresh way of seeing the botanical world around you.

Illustration by Crystal Shin

Open to all levels. No prior drawing or scientific experience is required—just curiosity and a love of the natural world.

If you can't make the specific date or time of a class you want to take, you can still register and we will send you a link to view the program on your own time! All registrants will have access to the class recording for a limited time to re-watch too.

Illustrations by Crystal Shin