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Rock sculptureOne way to study the elements of art while appreciating nature is to create art based on shapes, colors and objects observed in nature. Artists of all ages may draw vast landscapes or paint detailed images of acorns. Take a nature walk with a sketch pad and colored pencils. Sketch what interests you most. Turn initial nature sketches into more in-depth nature studies by creating paintings based on your sketches. Return to the location and study the light and colors of the object or landscape.
Fine art may also be created using nature objects by turning the actual objects into sculpture or as art in shadow boxes. Create other sculptural forms, as reliefs, by pressing natural objects into self-hardening clay. -
Flower paperUse objects from nature in paper arts activities. Objects including rocks, twigs, leaves and flowers may be pressed in paper, rubbed onto paper or rolled with paint or ink to make stamps. Stamp the object onto paper or fabric.
Natural objects and fibers including twigs, tree bark and dried flowers may be used to create wreaths, table centerpieces, spiritual shrines or they may be glued into three-dimensional collages.
Dried flower petals and dried grass may also be mixed into paper pulp to make handmade paper. The paper can then be used for watercolors or for acrylic paintings.
Nature journals may contain sketches or paintings of landscapes and detailed drawings. The nature journal may also hold dried flowers, leaves and other natural objects. -
Sand provides a temporary art mediumTemporary art may also be created at various sites. The nature art activity may be as simple as creating a sand castle with wet sand at the beach. Stacking stones into sculptural forms may also be temporary, even if you leave them intact at the site. Someone else may come along and add to the rock formation, or they make take it down.
Artists such as Karen Dolmanisth have dedicated decades of their professional art lives to creating site-specific sculptures. Create your own site-specific sculptures by locating a spot in the woods, along a lake shore or at the beach and taking inspiration from what you see. Use the natural or found objects at the location to create site-specific and temporary nature art.
