From One Tiny Acorn to a Finished Country Diary Page | 5 Tips to Create a Country Diary Page

 


One of my favourite things about keeping a country diary is that it doesn't have to be completed all at once. In fact, this July page began with just one small subject - a fresh green Garry oak acorn.

Over the week I slowly added sketches and paintings inspired by my nature walks, allowing the page to grow over time. Unlike my previous country diary project from 2024, I decided to start this page on a whim the last day of July at 11 pm! What began as a single acorn became a collection of July memories. I went through my Google Photos from the entire montn and picked out images to paint and memories to write about. This was a really fun way to "sum up the month" during the last hours of July.

If you've ever wanted to start a nature journal or country diary, but felt overwhelmed by blank pages, here are five lessons I've learned.

1. Start Small

You don't need to fill an entire page in one sitting. My July page began with a single Garry oak acorn that caught my eye on a summer walk. I drew and painted the acorn that night. The next morning I looked through more photos and completed all the drawings, so that I had a nice page layout. Over the next few days I completed one painitng at a time. It takes me one or 2 "sessions" of about 30- 60 minutes to complete each painting.

2. Let Nature Choose the Subjects

Instead of planning everything in advance, I started with one small painting and then added more drawings until the page was full. Typically I start the page at the beginning of the month and add items as the month progresses.One drawing at a time and fit them together as the page fills up. Th is a ia great way to improve and practice your compostion skills.

A cabbage white butterfly, fireweed, red clover, everlasting pea, a rosehip, and fresh green acorn all became part of July's story.


This stage is often my favourite. The page isn't complete yet, but you can already see the story beginning to unfold.

3. Add a Little Whenever Inspiration Strikes

Some days I only have fifteen minutes to paint. I have a busy schedule and a 2.5 year old son, I often have to wait until he is in bed to do any painting.

But that is enough time.

A country diary isn't about finishing quickly. It's about collecting small moments in nature over time.

4. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Looking back through the photos, it's fun to see how the page slowly came together.

Every stage has its own charm, from the first pencil sketches to the final brushstroke. Watching the page evolve reminds me that creativity grows one small step at a time. I also make the process of painting that much more rewarding.

5. Tell the Story of the Season

By the end of the month your country diary page will become much more than a collection of paintings.

It captures the colours, plants, insects, and quiet discoveries you make memorable over the entire month. Years from now, I know I'll be able to look back at this page and remember exactly what summer felt like. If you would like to see a complete country diary, check out my 2024 coutry diary here.

Start Your Own Country Diary

Keeping a country diary is one of the most rewarding ways to improve your drawing and watercolor skills while building a lasting record of the seasons around you.

If you'd like to paint alongside me, join me inside The Watercolor Garden (my online painting school). You'll get access to over 30 full-length video classes featuring wildflowers and botanical painting hacks. You will also find printable guides, colour recipes, reference photos, and tip videos that can be the launch pad for you to become a confident botanical painter and get started on your own country diary.

You can find more information about The Watercolor Garden here. You can also take a FREE one hour Tiger Lily painting class with me here

Happy painting,
Laura 

Laura Watson
Botanical Artist & Instructor
Founder of The Watercolour Garden
www.thewatercolourgarden.com

All illustrations in this article are my original watercolour paintings.


Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada

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