Sketching as an aid
to seeing nature

by Brenda Porter

The mountains have always inspired people. They take us out of our everyday routine and perhaps challenge our minds as well as our bodies. The mountains invade our senses. Smells, sounds, temperatures, and textures—even tastes—often seem so much better from the heights. But for those of us with vision, the greatest reward on hikes and climbs may be the vistas and close-up scenes in the mountains. An ancient Chinese proverb says, “If you don’t scale the mountain, you can’t view the plain.”

A quick sketch is an easy way to enhance our sense of sight. By looking closely enough to draw, the essence of a place is etched in our memory as well as on paper. Artist Lillian Kennedy teaches that one need not take extra equipment or a lot of time. A thumbnail sketch on a plain piece of paper will do.

I took part in Kennedy’s art seminar, sponsored by the CMC, in June. Nine students spent a morning learning simple drawing exercises at the base of the Boulder Flatirons. This was not a typical CMC hike, as we walked a maximum of fifty yards. Nevertheless, everyone rated the experience highly. It was a special treat to take time to experience the out-of-doors in a focused way. Although my sketches will not win any prizes, I experienced the Flatirons in a wonderful way that complements my rock climbing and hiking there.

During July and August, the CMC also offered mountain watercolor seminars by Ron Hicks and the anatomy of botanical drawing seminars by Angela Overy.

On September 7, 14, and 21, John Lencicki will teach how to “Keep a Sketchbook of Hikes” in Eldorado State Park. The seminars are $30 each, or $75 for all three. Call the CMC office or e-mail porteb@cmc.org for an application and more information.

If you are an “A” trip leader, consider leading a sketch hike to a scenic place. Art seminar participants are looking for opportunities for to sketch during their hikes.

Pikes Peak Group member Louise Adler created her own field journal during the nine week CMC Wild Plant School. This intensive field-course, offered in conjunction with CSU Cooperative Extension, covered plant family and ecological relationships, as well as some of the human uses of 165 plants. Louise said she couldn’t remember which species was which without taking time to sketch them. Sand Lily is an early-blooming plant of the plains and foothills.

The following CMC members graduated from the first CMC Wild Plant School: Benjamin Harrison from the Boulder Group; Tim Cox, Linda Kunzweiler, Catherine McTighe, Naomi Nigro,
Terri Skadeland from the Denver Group; and Louise Adler from the Pikes Peak Group.