Adult Field Course: A Naturalist’s Sketchbook: Botanical Illustrating and Nature Journaling

The naturalist’s sketchbook is full of drawings and observations of the outdoors that bring moments in nature to life! The way you arrange these drawings on a page, as well as the notes you take, can boost the storytelling quality of your sketches. Participants will learn basic observation and drawing techniques with pen, pencil, and colored pencils. Though designed for beginners, students with more intermediate skills are encouraged to join. Students are asked to bring sketchbooks, colored pencils, #2 pencils, erasers, a pencil sharpener and Sharpie pens.

Preston Montague is an artist, educator, and landscape architect who developed a passion for the natural world while growing up in the rural foothills of Virginia. He works in Durham, focusing on projects that spark curiosity about nature and encourage stronger relationships between people and their environment. Montague’s latest body of work, Codex Carolinum, is a series of didactic botanical illustrations using art and storytelling to foster natural science literacy. Go to his website to read more.

Program Itinerary
10:00 a.m. Meet at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and Introductions
10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Indoor and Outdoor Time
4:00 p.m. Program Concludes at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery 

Registration
This Adult Field Course costs $60 for general admission and $51 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club, plus tax. Attendance is limited to 20 participants. Registration opens on this page on April 3 at 9 a.m.

Your program cost includes admission into the park, field instruction, and transportation during your program (you may drive your own vehicle to visit sites on the mountain if you would prefer). It does not include meals or lodging. Bringing a bagged lunch is recommended for most field courses, although Mildred’s Grill will be open to attendees. Tips are not accepted for field courses. However, donations to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation are accepted if you would like to recognize a program.

What to Bring
Much of your time will be spent outdoors and all programs are held rain, snow or shine. You should be prepared for a variety of mountain weather conditions and temperatures. Appropriate clothing, equipment, and footwear are very important.

• Daypack with enough room to carry extra clothing, water, lunch, camera, etc.
• Water Bottle
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hiking boots
• Binoculars
• Sketchbook (Strathmore 400 series preferred, minimum size 8.5” x 11”)
• Colored Pencils (Faber Castell brand preferred, 12 or 24 pack is enough)
• Ultra Fine Sharpie
• #2 Pencil (Ticonderoga brand preferred)
• Pencil Sharpener (small metal sharpener preferred)
• Eraser (kneaded eraser preferred)

Refunds/Cancellations
Adult Field Courses generally sell out and have a waiting list associated with the event. If you cannot attend the field course that you are registered for, a full refund will be granted within a 5-day notice of the day of the field course. This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. We ask that individuals who are sick with any illness to stay home to ensure the health and safety of other participants, our staff, and the field course instructors – refunds will be granted to these individuals.

More about Field Courses
We at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation are excited to share the unique wonders of the mountain with you. Since 2008, GMSF has aimed at creating educational programming that deepens understanding through in-depth study and field research. Our goal is to provide you with a rich experience in a particular field of study, and to also provide a safe and memorable trip to Grandfather Mountain. Read more about Field Courses.