Collecting on Paper 2026
One of my favorite things to do at this time of year is to fill my sketchbook with specimens from a nature center or museum. There are always so many fascinating things to discover, and I enjoy the challenge of arranging them together on a single page. If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ve seen similar pages before. Here’s this year’s collection, plus a few selections from prior years.
Tips and Techniques– Sketching in museums and nature centers is a defining part of my work and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It allows me to closely observe and study natural history subjects I might not otherwise encounter. It’s also a welcome excuse to sketch someplace warm during the colder winter months. Plan an outing and go! (Materials: Sepia Micron 005 pen and watercolor in a Handbook Journal Co. 140lb sketchbook; plus Ellington fountain pen with Diamine ink on handmade Fabriano laid paper)
Drawn In 
Another great collection. You’ve inspired me to ask at the Houston Museum of Natural History. I would love to study the bird nests! And, while you do your indoor art while it’s too cold outside, I could do mine when it is too hot to go out 🙂