Drawing Landscapes in Geoparks

Promoting value of drawing landscapes in geoparks.

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Why Drawing Landscapes?

Observation drawing is the activity of observing places or objects and creating a two dimensional representation.

The activity of drawing takes time and requires attention to what is visible.

The amount of drawing time can vary, but whether it is five, ten, or sixty minutes, drawing is an activity that requires being present in one place and observing from a specific vantage point for a period of time.
A form of mindfulness develops drawing landscapes and entering a heightened state of observation. We notice other details, feel the warmth of the sun, and smell the scent of licorice ferns nearby. The activity of drawing is a reason and permission to be present and observe the world.
Drawing requires attention. The average attention span of an adult is ten minutes, after which it becomes difficult to continue to focus without a short break. So, very prolonged drawing times are difficult.
Drawing landscapes builds a memory and relationship with places or objects. This relationship will be increased with repeated visits and drawings.

Drawing landscapes improves spatial thinking skills through attention to what is seen and creating a meaningful record for future reference.

We observe the world through combining a series of rapid glances. My eyes moves quickly from place to place and my mind combines these observations into a single mental awareness. This is similar to creating a drawing. My eyes move back and forth to estimate how long or wide an object is. I record this estimate with marks on a page, locating edges and shapes, to map what I see.
While recording marks on a page the mental image becomes visible. A drawing develops slowly, from general and approximate lines at the start to more accurate and detailed shapes and spatial relationships with increasing time.

Drawing is an important activity for seeing geology.

Drawings record specific details and bring attention to geological features that are often difficult to see in even very high quality photographs. After carefully observing, we don’t just see a cliff but rather see a specific series of horizontal layers with rounded stones.
The finished drawing acts as a visual map of significant features in the landscape. We don’t just see the present moment but become aware of and located within geological time.

Geologists & Drawing Landscapes

Geologists often draw rock outcrops, rock features or fossils in field notebooks from direct observation. Drawing geological landscapes provides ability to visualize complex processes that have occurred over geological time. Geologists then visualize spatial relationships that are not directly visible.

Geosites & Geology Objects

Geoparks are sites that are significant for their geological history and cultural significance, for fossils, minerals, and other geological materials present. The geological sites and objects that are significant for a geopark offer excellent opportunities for observation drawing.

Geosites provide an opportunity to observe and draw large spaces and land forms. Observing large open spaces and surface features of large landforms provides is an opportunity to feel a sense of space, and appreciate large areas of geological and ecological significance.

Objects from geoparks, including fossils, minerals, or significant architecture of historical objects from the area, provide opportunities for observation drawing that enhance understanding of small details. Drawing objects inside is beneficial when the weather is bad, or as a way to provide meaningful access to delicate or rare objects of significance.

Lighting of objects is usually critical to provide a positive drawing experience. Direct lighting that enhances shadows can improve ability to observe and draw form.
Ability to get close to objects and see very fine details will enhance the details recorded in drawings.

Tips for Facilitated Drawing

Most visitors to geoparks do not have a lot of recent experience drawing experience, so may require role modelling, demonstrations, access to drawing material and encouragement.

Role modelling is critical first step in promoting observation drawing. Letting visitors and students see that geologists draw offers them encouragement and the perception of value. Showing visitors previous drawings in field notebooks, drawing pads or digital devices can enhance incentive and interest. An interpreter that actively draws a scene can demonstrate to visitors that drawings help us see details.
Providing visitors with drawing materials that are suitable to the environments of the geosite will encourage participation. The size of drawing paper or specific media (pencil, charcoal, ink) will impact ability to easily move through spaces. Having something to sit on will likely enhance the experience of drawing.
A drawing journal or pad can provide printed examples or supporting information that will help visitors create their own personal observation drawings. A pad of blank drawing paper might incude several pages throughout, with geology information, examples of different types of mark making, or tips for drawing perspective, scale, or shading.
Drawing in a small group can be an enjoyable experience, as conversations can occur while people continue to draw. While everyone focuses in a shared experience these conversations build understanding among the group.

Drawing & Interpretation

Including observation drawings in interpretive material can be useful for enhancing communication of key concepts, and also acts to role model the value of drawing. Try to include observation drawings in interpretive panels instead of photographs. Drawings can highlight the significant features of a landscape or object better than a photograph.

Encourage geologists, interpreters, and visitors to create observation drawings within interpretive panels.
During a guided tour or walk, including reference drawings can help non-geologists see geological structures and patterns. A guide can use drawing to show directly (like pointing) to what is significant in a landscape or object.

Digital Drawing Opportunities

The most accessible and cost effective drawing media is often paper and pencil. However, new digital drawing medial also provide powerful tools.

Digital drawing tools such as iPads and tactile digital pencils provide rich drawing experiences. Some software records the drawing process, which produces a captivating animation.
Digital 3D models of geosites or objects also provide rich sources for visitors to create observation drawings. These digital models improve accessiblity and encourage observation drawing anywhere. Choosing a view of a 3D model that is of interest, an observation drawing can be created with paper and pencil.
Drawing under a digital document camera in a lecture facility can provide a unique opportunity to provide students to watch a drawing develop, offering role modelling and encouragement.

Insert video of animated drawing.

Example of drawing under a digital document camera in front of a undergraduate class, with the “drawing a penny” activity.

Eye tracking software shows where the eye is looking, the series of glances and observations, while a drawing of a 200 million year old dinosaur skull is being created on an iPad.

Drawings created on paper and pencil are very easily shared as part of the social media environment. Taking a photograph of a drawing with a smart phone is quick and easy, and within moments a drawing done in a remote and distant area can be shared on social media. The uniqueness sharing drawings on social media can lead to improved responses with friends and family.