Green Sketching: a creative new way to see and enjoy the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark

By Ali Foxon

When you visit the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s easy to reach for your smartphone camera and take a few quick photos of the stunning landscape and fascinating rocks. But there’s an alternative way to savour your surroundings, an activity that will totally change how you see and experience this special part of the world. It’s called green sketching.

What is green sketching?

Green sketching is a new approach to sketching nature designed to help you connect with nature and enhance your wellbeing. The focus of green sketching is on the process of observing and sketching nature, not the creation of impressive artwork. It’s an informal and fun approach; the aim is not to learn about nature but to use sketching as a tool to see, enjoy and appreciate the beauty that’s all around us, beauty we so often miss when we’re rushing around or staring at our phones. Taking time to notice and appreciate nature’s beauty is important. It makes us feel good and it encourages us to take better care of the environment.

Who can do it?

Green sketching is suitable for all ages and artistic abilities. You don’t need to be good at drawing to enjoy green sketching. The quality of your sketch is irrelevant. It’s the focused observation associated with sketching that changes what you see and how you feel, not the quality of your artwork. And because a sketch is inherently quick, sketchy and imperfect, green sketching is ideal for busy people who are keen to try something creative but have little spare time on their hands.

How can it benefit you?

The amazing thing about green sketching is that it blends the benefits of creativity, nature connection and mindful relaxation within one simple activity. It can help you slow down and see your surroundings with fresh eyes. The process of green sketching is so utterly absorbing that it’s a great way to take your mind off your troubles. And by diverting your attention onto nature’s beauty, colour and wonder, green sketching is also an effective way to lift your spirits and experience more joy.

How do you get started?

Head outdoors with some paper and something to sketch with (a pencil, pen, coloured pencils… whatever you can find). Scan the surrounding landscape, the trees, flowers, rocks and wildlife and see what catches your eye. Try to find something small that sparks curiosity, wonder or joy. Then doodle it, in your own way. There’s no right or wrong way to sketch something – the way you sketch something is as unique as your handwriting. The longer you spend on your sketch, the more detail you’ll notice, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with making quick, messy sketches.

To help you get started, I’ve created a guided green sketching booklet that will show you how to see and enjoy the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Beauty with fresh eyes. You can download it here (from the link below). Have fun and make sure you’re familiar with the Countryside Code before you head outdoors.

How to Doodle the North Pennines

Happy doodling!