A lot of pets in this journal being created by one of the artists on the course.
I am back at the Hancock Museum - apparently by popular demand!
Following three sold-out courses, we're delighted to be offering this fantastic course again.
The event will be introduced by Rachel Anderson, Heritage Researcher who will be bringing out some goodies from the archives for us to use as inspiration. From there it is pretty much up to everyone to develop their story and journal. I will of course be unhand to help and guide.
About this Event/Course
This is an immersive course designed to introduce you to the art of nature journaling at the Great North Museum: Hancock. Whether you've always wanted to start a nature journal but didn’t know where to begin, or if you've tried and struggled to maintain the habit, this course is for you!
Over three sessions, you’ll learn how to notice nature in new and meaningful ways and translate your observations into creative expression on the page. You’ll explore some of the fascinating treasures within NHSN’s North East Nature Archive (NENA) and learn how nature journals have played a pivotal role in documenting and preserving our understanding of the natural world.
This course is all about observation and creative expression. No need for advanced artistic skills, just a love of nature and a willingness to have a go! You'll learn how to develop a daily journaling habit and how to capture the world around you in your own unique way.
Course Overview:
Session 1: Tuesday 14 April 2026 | 1pm – 4pm | Introduction to Nature Journaling. Join NHSN Senior Naturalist on a guided walk to Exhibition Park exploring Newcastle's urban flora. Learn techniques for observation and creative expression.
Session 2: Tuesday 28 April 2026 | 1pm – 4pm | Nature Storytelling. Explore the treasures of the NHSN North East Nature Archive (NENA). Practice drawing from nature and incorporating storytelling into your journal.
Session 3: Tuesday 12 May 2026 | 1pm – 4pm | Completing Your Nature Journal. Consolidate your learning and finish your nature journal with watercolours. Tips for maintaining your journaling practice beyond the course
By the end of the course, you will have:
Have a completed nature journal to take home
Have developed the skills and confidence to continue journaling independently
Gain a deeper connection to the natural world and your own creative expression
We’ll provide a small kit of materials to get you started, including:
2 Fineliner ink pens
Steve’s "Shortcut to Nature Journaling" guide
A blank concertina nature journal
You can see some examples of the December 2025 workshop journals here.