Nature observations · An independent notebook

Water at the edge

A thoughtful collection of original notes on pond margins and the quiet life around shallow water. Begin with a small observation, then make room for a closer look.

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pond margins and the quiet life around shallow water — an original illustration — ILLUSTRATED STUDY / 01REED & RILL

Reed & Rill is a place for pond margins and the quiet life around shallow water. Nothing elaborate is needed to begin.

From the journal

A closer look.

All six notes

01Observe

Waterline curves

Trace the narrow line where water meets mud and note interruptions made by stones.

02Observe

Reed reflections

Compare the upright stem with its broken reflection in a rippled surface.

03Practice

Floating leaves

Follow the spacing of leaves without moving them out of position.

04Practice

Rain on the pond

Describe the change from separate rings to a continuous stippled surface.

05Reflect

Bank textures

Draw dry soil beside damp soil at the same scale.

06Reflect

A second pond visit

Return to one fixed viewpoint and add a dated sketch beside the first.

A note from the notebook

Start where you are.

Keep a pencil and a pocket notebook nearby. This collection begins with reed stems and a simple idea: attention is something you can practice.

Find a starting point