Exploring Nature Journaling with Alex Boon: Tips, Inspiration, and Creative Approaches

Nature Journal by Alex Boon

I’m always on the lookout for artists who bring a fresh perspective to nature journaling, and I’m thrilled to introduce you to Alex Boon. Alex is a nature journaling educator, artist, and content creator from East Devon, UK, whose passion for documenting the natural world is truly inspiring.

Alex’s journey into nature journaling started with a treasured copy of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady and evolved into a lifelong practice that blends art, creativity, and deep observation. Living by the sea in a rural part of the UK, he spends time exploring the natural countryside that surrounds him—filling his journals with sketches, words, and even large-scale maps

In this feature, Alex shares his thoughts on keeping multiple journals, how limiting art supplies can actually improve your observation skills, and why a nature journal doesn’t have to be a book at all. Whether you're a seasoned nature journaler or just starting out, Alex’s insights are sure to inspire you!

- Laura

Nature Journal by Alex Boon

Hi, I’m Alex Boon. I’m a nature journaling educator, artist, and content creator from East Devon in the UK. I am in love with nature, art, creativity and recording what I see. I really do believe that nature journaling has changed my life and I am dedicated to sharing and teaching this amazing transformative activity. My nature journals are inspired by the countryside around me. I am lucky enough to live by the sea in a rural part of the UK and spend as much time as I can walking the wetlands, the coast, and the cliffs and documenting what I find through words and pictures.

Nature Journal by Alex Boon

I first found nature journaling when my Nan gave me a copy of Edith Holden's 'Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady.' When we moved to our current home, I took up nature journaling to learn more about the species around me (which are VERY different from where I used to live near London) and to improve my art skills. I had no idea then that eight years later nature journaling would become my life and livelihood and something that I am so passionate about. I usually nature journals in several books. I have one that goes outdoors with me (my "messy" journal), and several ongoing ones. I also do a project every year, each one a new approach to nature journaling to keep things fresh and keep me experimenting and finding ideas to teach to others. Some of my nature journals are full of writing, while others are full of pictures. Some are a mixture of different styles. One of my nature journals is even a series of large maps! This year, I am working on a project based on the Japanese concept of 72 microseasons, with a focus on exploring deep visual responses to nature in mixed media without dates or words on the pages.

Nature Journal by Alex Boon

Three tips for Nature Journaling:

1. Have at least two journals

At any one time, I have several journals on the go - and they all fall into two categories: "messy" and "best". My messy journals go outside with me, they are full of sketchy scribbles, bits of plant, and get frequently rained on. I also use this category for trying out new art materials or techniques and writing down how well my experiments went. All sorts of things (like half-finished doodles, bad poetry and lists of ideas) make it into those messy books, and it doesn't matter because I am not precious about them. To keep me developing as an artist and writer, I also have my "best" books or projects. These are finished works of art and are where careful time and effort are directed. I think of this like how the old art masters would always have a sketchbook or a series of practice drawings or paintings before their finished work. It doesn't matter that, as nature journalers or sketchbookers, both our practice work and our finished work take the form of sketchbooks. We can still benefit from taking this approach.

Nature Journal by Alex Boon

2. When outside, limit art supplies to increase observation

When I am outside, I usually only take my nature journal and a mechanical pencil (HB or 2B, 0.9 width). I do not take an eraser and the use of a mechanical pencil means no pencil sharpener is needed (though do take a pack of spare leads!) The limiting of art materials means that I am not thinking about artwork or good writing and am instead focused on observation and recording. Another benefit is that it teaches you to relax about "mistakes" and just move on. I challenge you to try taking just a pencil and a sketchbook outdoors and drawing some moving birds (ducks and geese are a great place to start for birds that don't move too far). Get used to filling pages with quick lines and shapes to represent those birds as they move. It is amazing how this develops your artistic skills (it really is all about looking at the subject more than the page and developing hand-eye coordination over time).

Nature Journal by Alex Boon

3. A nature journal doesn't have to be a book

In 2022 my nature journal was a series of YouTube videos (I did have a book in the videos, but I consider the videos about the book, the wildlife that inspired it, and the process of making it to be the actual nature journal for this year). In 2023/24, my nature journal was three large wall maps of a special location close to me. If you start to tire of sketchbooking in the traditional way, think about other ways you can engage with nature. I define nature journaling as "the act of creatively recording your relationship with nature", so this can be anything at all as long as it has the three main components: (1) observing and recording nature (2) in some creative way and (3) building a relationship between yourself and the natural world.

Nature Journal by Alex Boon

Alex Boon is an artist and nature journaling educator based by the sea in East Devon, UK. He studied environmental science to PhD level. After a short career in academia, he moved to rural Devon and began to build his first nature journals. He spends his days wandering the wild places, documenting nature in words and sketches and sharing what he finds on YouTube, Instagram and with his Nature Journaling Circle community. His greatest joy is inspiring other people to get into nature and helping them to explore their creativity through his online Nature Journaling Circle school and through retreats and workshops in person. He has two books due to be published in July 2025: 'How to Draw a River' and 'How to Draw a Tree'. His biggest inspirations are Edith Holden, Beatrix Potter, Flora Thompson, and Jackie Morris. When he isn’t drawing or exploring nature, he enjoys playing piano and doing ashtanga yoga.

Find Alex online here:

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@alexboonart

Website https://alexboonart.com/

Teaching website https://www.naturejournalingcircle.com/

Instagram @alexboonart https://www.instagram.com/alexboonart/

Substack https://alexboonart.substack.com/

Botanical Art by Laura Watson