# Priyanka Kumar on Incorporating Art Into Her Nature Writing Author Priyanka Kumar details her transition from photography to hand-drawn illustrations for her latest book. - **Source:** [Literary Hub](https://lithub.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4d20d727-1996-4f70-95c1-29e5b244386d ## Transitioning from Lens to Pencil Priyanka Kumar initially planned to use her own photographs for her book, The Grassland Queen. However, realizing that black-and-white printing would strip the images of their emotional resonance, she pivoted to hand-drawn sketches. This shift allowed her to capture the intimate connection she felt toward the long-billed curlew during field research. ## The Challenge of Artistic Deadline Faced with a strict production deadline of three to four weeks, Kumar began an intense period of artistic experimentation. She moved beyond her typical habit of making quick field sketches for personal reference. By dedicating her mornings to drawing, she eventually entered a meditative state where the pencil moved without conscious thought. ## Observing the Grassland Predator The coyote, a frequent predator of the curlew, served as a primary subject for Kumar’s early sketches. After failing to capture a clear photograph of a coyote in the wild, she relied on memory and previous field notes. This process helped her understand the animal's role in the American grassland ecosystem. ## Tools of the Creative Trade Kumar reflects on the tactile pleasure of using high-quality drawing instruments, such as her 5B pencils and stainless steel sharpeners. She draws a parallel to historical figures like John Steinbeck and Henry David Thoreau, who were famously particular about their writing tools, emphasizing how the right equipment facilitates a deeper creative flow. ## Childhood Influences on Penmanship The author traces her lifelong affinity for writing and drawing instruments back to her Catholic school education. She recalls the discipline of using ink pens and the aesthetic impact of royal-blue ink smudges on a tablecloth. These early sensory experiences shaped her current appreciation for the physical act of creating art. ## Validation Through External Feedback While working in isolation, Kumar kept her drawings hidden from everyone except her family. The turning point occurred when a visiting publicist accidentally saw the stack of sketches on her desk. The publicist’s immediate, enthusiastic reaction confirmed that the drawings possessed the emotional depth required for the book's final publication. ## The Meaning of the Bill During the drawing process, Kumar found herself contemplating the biological significance of the long-billed curlew’s eight-inch bill. While it serves the functional purpose of digging for crustaceans in winter, the act of drawing the crescent-moon arc allowed her to appreciate the bird's anatomy and beauty on a much more profound level. ## Connecting Past and Present This four-week period of intense drawing served as a bridge between Kumar’s current identity as a naturalist and her childhood self. By tucking away the computer and focusing solely on paper, she successfully reclaimed a sense of wonder, proving that artistic expression can deepen the scientific study of nature. ## Sources covering this story - https://lithub.com/priyanka-kumar-on-incorporating-art-into-her-nature-writing/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._