Why drawing in nature feels so good

Being outside with my sketchbook always makes me happy.

Nature calms my brain. The quiet, the light, the trees, all of it. It helps me slow down, be present, and get out of my head. My sketchbook feels like a companion when I’m out there. A bit like a tiny therapist I can hold in my hands.
Filling a page in the woods can feel like meditation. I recently shared a drawing meditation process video like that on Patreon.

And you can have that feeling too.

Next time you have a moment, take your sketchbook outside. Even if it’s just for ten minutes.
Find a bench, a tree, a patch of sunlight. Don’t overthink what to draw. Simply look around, pick something that catches your eye, and start with small marks. Let the page fill slowly, just for the joy of it.

You don’t need a perfect drawing. You just need the experience.

A tiny sketch can shift your whole day.

If you want a deeper experience like this, I’ll be teaching a small group workshop in the Eifel in Germany from June 15 to 18, 2026.

It’s called “Drawing in the Wild”

Think: birdsong in the morning, coffee in your hand, sketchbook in your lap, and all day to draw together. Meals will be cooked for us, there will be plenty of time to relax (and get in the hot tub or sauna, or sit by the fire outside!). An art retreat the way it was meant.

We’ll walk (and draw) in the woods too, so bring hiking shoes.

All the details (and sign up link) are here:
Check it out