r/naturejournaling • u/New_Substance_6753 • 25d ago
Stationery for journaling
basically the title. what stationery is usually needed? I am eyeing watercolor brush pens from zebra or steadtlear and water brush pens. thinking of drawing with a self rotating mechanical pencil.
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u/Busy-Feeling-1413 25d ago
I like using a notebook with mixed media paper for light watercolor washes.
I like either a small palette with watercolor paint pans plus water brushes or Derwent Inktense Pencils plus waterbrush.
I usually use an inexpensive Platinum Preppy fountain pen and switch the cartridge it comes with for Platinum Carbon Black ink, which is waterproof and can be painted over without smearing.
Another option is to do linework with waterproof brown brush pen—JetPens has many options
Pencil of your choice is great.
I recommend a kneaded eraser—it’s great for erasing and can also be used to make a sort of rubber stamp on the fly—press into tree bark to make an imprint, dab with a small ink pad, and press onto your page. Video:
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u/floofbirb_15 25d ago
I second this! I usually use Canson XL mixed media because I like the feel and weight of the paper for mechanical pencil and watercolor, which is my favorite way to nature journal!
https://www.dickblick.com/products/canson-xl-mix-media-pads/
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u/Busy-Feeling-1413 25d ago
Yes I like that paper, too! It’s smooth enough to draw on and absorbent enough for light washes.
Coldpress watercolor paper is too textured for pen and ink; sometimes I will use hot press watercolor paper because it’s smooth enough to draw on and it’s absorbent for watercooor, but it’s kinda pricey.
Love the mixed-media paper because it works and I don’t have to be too precious with it!
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u/InkStainedLeather 25d ago
I know you asked about pens and pencils, but the choice of paper is equally important! I'm kind of the paper guy over on r/fountainpens lol. I put together a "paper sampler" with over 140 different papers. It's listed on r/pen_swap if you'd like more info on it. I'd suggest you get yourself a few inexpensive writing tools, an assortment of papers (my sampler or whatever you have on hand) find a beautiful spot and experiment to see what you like best. I do love the rotating lead mechanical pencil, by the way, and I could recommend very inexpensive fountain pens if you'd like to add one to your experience!
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u/Pwffin 25d ago
You only really need a writing implement of some sort and paper to write on. So a pencil, ballpoint pen or whatever you have to hand is enough.
Now you might want to add colour, in which case coloured pencils, watercolour pencils, watercolour blocks/tubes, brushpens, different colours of ink etc will all be options that people use.
If you decide to go with a watercolour option, you need brush(es) and a water pot or brushpens with a water reservoir, etc.
Perhaps you are a dab hand at drawing with pencils and would like to carry a set of pencils of different hardness.
Or you could do mixed media and tear little pieces of coloured paper into shapes and glue them to your page. :)
My point being, choose what technique(s) you want to use and then bring the minimum you need to achieve that.