Maps are a wonderful way to explore landscapes and to remember the places and stories you encounter. In this session, you'll capture your nature observations through hand-drawn maps. Using techniques such as simple iconography, relief, and topography symbols to depict landscape form and structure, you'll also learn to document the dynamic behaviors of animals and birds. After a brief introduction to basic cartographic principles, we'll venture outdoors to apply these skills in field journaling. You'll come away having crafted a collection of maps that reflect your experiences, serving as a means to revisit moments of awe and reconnect with nature's wonders.
Materials to bring: 1) a pen or pencil; 2) a sketchbook/notebook/journal with unlined pages or about 20 pages of printer paper and a something hard to write on, like a clipboard; 3) colored pencils or watercolors + brush + water container. If possible, also bring 4) a ruler or tape measure; 5) a hand magnifying glass or a loupe. If you already have a sketching practice, a field note-taking practice, or a journaling practice, you can bring any additional tools and materials you like. The instructor will have a limited number of basic kits available for $5 at the session. The basic kit includes a mechanical pencil, small sketchbook, magnifying glass, ruler, and a set of 12 colored pencils.
Meets in the Oak Glen Pavilion at SLO Botanical Garden (inside El Choro Park), 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo.