For My Very Dear American Readers
Category: Autumn
Calendar of Firsts ~ Week 46
No video this week, I’m afraid.
This week I have sketched a Hawthorn branch, bare of its leaves, and a fungus growing in moss. We still have some spectacular autumn colours, but they are just starting to give way to the more somber shades of winter.
Today is Stir up Sunday, so we shall be making our Christmas pudding and cake.
I am delighted that many of you are planning to join me in the 2017 Calendar of Firsts along! Have you purchased your calendar yet?
Painting An Autumn Leaf In My Nature Journal
This week I have sketched a beautiful leaf from the garden, and a wee Robin Redbreast who has visited us for a while now (this Robin has a couple of white feathers in the wing.). The colours of the autumnal landscape are just so spectacular right now, heightened by frosty mornings and sun-shiny days.
This week’s video:
The supplies I used:
Fountain Pen with waterproof ink
Da Vinci 1503 size 8 watercolour brush
Watercolours:
- Potters Pink
- Naphthamide Maroon
- Indigo
- Permanent Rose
- Quinacridone Gold
Are you planning to join our Calendar-of-Firsts along next year?
Please note, there currently is a 20% discount available for Exploring Nature With Children using code EXPLORE16 – valid through 29 Nov 16
Painting A Ladybird In My Nature Journal
This week I have sketched a Ladybird and a sprig of Honesty. We have had some really glorious, sun-shiny days, and the autumnal colours of the landscape are breathtaking. I found this wee fellow in my kitchen, and of course had to sketch it.
This week’s video:
The supplies I used:
Fountain Pen with waterproof ink
Da Vinci 1503 size 8 watercolour brush
Watercolours:
- Shadow Violet
- Cadmium Red
- Indigo
- Permanent Rose
- Quinacridone Magenta
- Raw Umber
- Neutral Tint
Also, please note, there currently is a 20% discount available for Exploring Nature With Children using code EXPLORE16 – valid through 29 Nov 16
Keeping Wildlife Safe On Bonfire Night
We drill the importance of safety on Bonfire night to our children; let’s remember the wild creatures too.
If you are having a bonfire, please be sure to build it on the day the fire will actually be lit. This will prevent any wild animals, especially hedgehogs, searching for a comfortable spot to hibernate, coming to a sad end.
When setting off fireworks, check they are not being lit near local bird’s nesting areas: Nesting boxes, trees, hedges etc.
Lastly, as always on bonfire night, keep pets indoors. Bonfire night can be extremely stressful for them.
Have a safe and fun Bonfire night!
Painting An Acorn In My Nature Journal
This week I sketched an acorn and the last of the Ragwort growing in the meadow. The past week has been very wet, dark, and dreary, though the beautiful autumn foliage is definitely brightening the landscape.
This week’s video:
The supplies I used:
Fountain Pen with waterproof ink
Da Vinci 1503 size 8 watercolour brush
Watercolours:
- Quinacridone Gold
- Raw Umber
- Cadmium Yellow Light
- Cobalt Blue
- Ultra Marine
- Cadmium Red
- Shadow Violet
- Naples Yellow
This is just a short video to share how I work. I would love to hear how you create.
Hips And Haws
I have been quite poorly this week, so I was bursting to get out for a walk this morning.
Unfortunately Rose has now caught my cold, so it was just me and my big girl.
It was damp & chilly, but not too cold. We enjoyed the colours that are beginning to change.
The hedgerows are bursting, and we collected hips and haws.
Once back at home, we settled in for apple cake, knitting, and a spooky tale: The Canterbury Ghost by Oscar Wilde
Elianna is knitting a hat with her own hand-dyed yarn.
I am working on socks for Elianna
We crafted winter posies from the hips and haws; jewell-bright reminders of the natural world to brighten our days.
Happy exploring!
Painting Hawthorne Berries In My Nature Journal
This week I sketched some Hawthorne berries, a Sycamore leaf, and the full, Hunters’ Moon. The hedgerows are bursting with Hawthorne berries right now; the landscapes are abundant in such bright, beautiful colours.
This week’s video:
The supplies I used:
Fountain Pen with waterproof ink
Da Vinci 1503 size 8 watercolour brush
Watercolours:
- Cadmium Red
- Quinacridone Magenta
- Raw Umber
- Cadmium Yellow Light
- Cobalt Blue
- Cobalt Turquoise
- Ultra Marine
White Gel Pen for highlights
This is just a short video to share how I work. I would love to hear how you create.
Do come over to the private FaceBook group for families working with their children to encourage one another in our journaling pursuits. It would be lovely to see you there.
The Charlotte Mason Nature Journaling FaceBook Group
Painting Holly In My Nature Journal
This week I sketched some Holly from the tree in the garden. The berries are bright red at the top of the tree, and less ripe further down. I am hoping the birds will leave me a couple of berry-bearing branches for decorating the house at Christmas!
I also painted a strawberry leaf; I love watching the changes in colours on the strawberry leaves as we move through autumn.
You can see me painting the Holly in this week’s video:
The supplies I used:
Fountain Pen with waterproof ink
Da Vinci 1503 size 8 watercolour brush
Watercolours:
- Cadmium Red
- Quinacridone Magenta
- Raw Umber
- Cadmium Yellow Light
- Cobalt Blue
- Indigo
- Ultra Marine
White Gel Pen for highlights
This is just a short video to share how I work. I would love to hear how you create.
Do come over to the private FaceBook group for families working with their children to encourage one another in our journaling pursuits. It would be lovely to see you there.
Bittersweet
On Monday, our evening walk was tinged with sadness. My youngest daughter found a Kingfisher, dead amongst the reeds in the pond. We were all so very, very sad.
Isn’t he such a beauty.
The evening light was perfect; golden rays warming the earth. We all retuned home feeling very subdued. Of course we brought him home to observe and sketch, before we buried him in our garden.
