Date/Time
Date(s) - September 18, 2026
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Categories
Sketching is at the heart of this four-week nature journaling series among the various tree collections in the Arboretum. Each week we’ll settle into a different collection – getting to know individual trees through close observation, quiet attention and the act of putting pencil or pen to paper.
You’ll learn to see bark texture, branch structure, leaf shape and seasonal change not as challenges to draw “correctly,” but as an invitation into deeper noticing. We’ll combine field sketching with nature writing, then layer in color using your preferred materials – colored pencil, watercolor or a mix of both.
No drawing experience required, just curiosity and a willingness to sit with a tree for a while. Come away with a growing journal of trees you’ll never look at the same way again.
Supplies: A journal or notebook with unlined paper, pencil, eraser, Sakura Pigma Micron pens, optional watercolors and/or colored pencils.
Please note we will be hiking to various spots within the Arboretum. Benches and tables will be available in most places, but not all. Bring a lightweight blanket or towel to sit on, and keep your supplies minimal for easy movement throughout the park.
- Registration includes September 4, 11, 18, and 25
- Visit the September 4th listing to register for the 4 week series
- Registration closes Thursday, September 3rd at 4:00pm
- Class details will be emailed closer to the program date
About the Instructor: Elizabeth Higgins is a watercolor artist and arts instructor who develops and facilitates classes and workshops connecting people to nature, mindfulness and creativity. She is known for her calm, supportive teaching style, and her approach is centered on the beliefs that both nature and creative expression are necessary components of human well-being. Learn more about Elizabeth on her website www.elizabethmhiggins.com.
Hoyt Arboretum Friends Education Policies:
Read our adult education policies HERE.
If you qualify for an Oregon income assistance program, please email [email protected] for details about further discounted program rates.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Hoyt Arboretum Friends member for discounted program rates, please click HERE.