Hello Lisa.

Welcome back to another edition of THE PENCIL CASE!  As always, each issue focuses on a theme to encourage a fresh look at garden design and graphics. This week let's explore five tips for simple garden graphics...to celebrate the opening of Garden Graphics Tool Kit in just a couple of weeks. Yay!

GRAPHICS VS. DESIGN

In a past newsletter I discussed the difference between LANDSCAPE DESIGN and LANDSCAPE GRAPHICS...and the importance of both.

While landscape design is about creating or arranging the outdoor space, landscape graphics is the technique we use to visually communicate our design. In the simplest terms, its how we draw our ideas (whether by hand or digitally).

Landscape graphics allows us to draw our ideas on paper (or digitally) so we can communicate all those beautiful ideas in our head for either our own garden or for a client. Graphics includes drafting elements like paving patterns, plants, furniture, arbors and even drawing scales, text and north arrows.

There is something very special about mastering landscape graphics skills as you step into the design world, since it's a wonderful way to build confidence. This confidence is an amazing boost as you enter design.

FIVE TIPS FOR SIMPLE GARDEN GRAPHICS

As I've progressed from being a student, to a practicing landscape architect and now a teacher I've learned that starting simple is a great way to establish foundational drawing skills...and as I mentioned earlier, building your confidence. It's pretty cool. 

Below are some tips to get you started (and if you'd like to learn more about these, look way below for a link to my free masterclass on this same topic):

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A collection of pens + pencils

Rather than using one pen to draw everything, consider a variety with different point sizes. Buy a set of pens or walk around your house to see if you can collect a variety from what you already have. A couple of my favorites are a simple felt-tip pen and Sharpie marker. Why do we need a variety? So we can have many line weights...see the next tip!

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A variety of line weights

Line weight is the width or thickness of the line you draw. When you have a variety of line weights on your garden plan it's easier to see all the different elements, plus it adds depth.

A rule of thumb: Objects closer to you (in plan view) are thicker (canopy trees and houses), while elements farther away are thinner (paving patterns and bed lines).

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A finite selection of plant symbols

It's okay to have only a few plant symbols to represent your plants (rather than a unique symbol for every species). I typically use 2-3 symbols for deciduous plants, 1-2 for evergreens, then a couple for perennials. I often only have around 10 symbols overall even if I have many, many plant species. It's difficult to come up with 50 symbols for 50 different plants, so make it easy on yourself.

Side note: if you have less than 10 plants it's perfectly okay to have a different symbol for each, but as your planting plans get complicated, simplify your life.

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A limited color palette

To unify your design its important to limit your color choices...as is true when you're adding color to the final plan. I like to make a swatch of 5-7 colors before putting them on my plan. I consider colors for my paving, lawn, major plants and structures. When starting out it helps to go with all warm or cool colors.

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A fabulous roll of tracing paper

This last tip is all about feeling free to use your drawing skills imperfectly. We often see the final, perfect drawing, but not all the messy sketches that lead up to it. A roll of tracing paper allows you to explore, sketch, and dream without worry for perfection.

GARDEN GRAPHICS INSPIRATION  

Once a year (in January) I offer free live masterclasses to provide more detail on these five tips. These start next week if you'd like to join me. Feel free to SIGN UP HERE. 

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Every January-March I also teach an 8-week course on landscape graphics called GARDEN GRAPHICS TOOL KIT. Enrollment is January 10-19, 2023 and class begins January 21. This is a great place to refine your drawing skills, have a ton of fun, plus be part of an inspiring community. Please hit reply to this email if you have any questions or attend my free masterclass above to learn more.

LET'S DO THIS! 

Don't forget to snag a spot in my free masterclass: 5 TIPS FOR SIMPLE GARDEN GRAPHICS. I look forward to seeing you!

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If you know someone that needs design inspiration, please feel free to share this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe right here. I also keep a VAULT of past issues in this secret location.

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Thanks for this awesome visit with you and Happy New Year!

Cheers,

Lisa 

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PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP

Thank you to Mandy Orgler for designing the lovely graphics in all these newsletters.