PART 3 P1: Ex 1 Sketching Individual Trees

Trees

This section is a focussed study, thinking of not only the tree itself but its context alongside the background, other trees, buildings etc. Thinking of negative space, tone and perspective as well as textures, hard or soft structures, spaces, repetitions, grooves, bumps, joints etc. Liken it to my A-level studies, practising drawing the human body, light source, tone, texture.

• Consider atmosphere, underlying structure, fluid approach, organic and flowing lines, individual components and characteristics.

• Practise observational skills, drawing techniques, composition and selection.

I started by drawing the palm tree (from a photo - it is 45C outside) in its whole.  I found I was looking at the underlying structure in that certain basic shapes make up each differing part of the trunk, the top and the fronds. 

I then tuned into the tree and focused in on the texture of the bark and shapes it was made up of. It appeared to have a diagonal growth pattern. With the bark I seemed be picking up on the shadows created and those became my negative space to build up the main shapes.

I was aware of the underlying leaves behind the fronds and this added a new texture to the structure I was initially working on. I looked at light source, highlights and shadows in the leaves and stem.