Drawing the mighty tree; particularly as it pertains to aesthetics:
We all know what a tree looks like …many of us can name different species….but when we go to draw the tree it can somehow look stilted, un-artistic, generalized.
Today we are going to learn about how to create a tree in an artistic fashion to give a detailed look, a feel of the species with elegance so that we can have a great tree drawing and work into a tree painting if we so desire.
#1 Seeing Have references available so as to rely on what is seen rather than what is remembered. The brain tends to repeat past behaviors, ways of drawing things, unless we force it to see in new ways.
#2 Thick to thin
Like many forms in nature, the tree tends to grow thick to thin; trunk to roots trunk to limbs; limbs to smaller branches; smaller branches to ever smaller branches and finally leaves. All tend to gradually dissipate outward into air and dirt.
#3 Varying directional growth and overlapping the limbs
Like the figure, we tend to want to draw the tree straight up; vertical, often missing some of the most beautiful nuances and amazing characteristics about the tree. As artists, I suggest we emphasize, over emphasize dynamic characteristics. The mighty tree takes many twists and turns, gnarly and fascinating with sometimes seemingly impossible balancing acts. Allow your tree to assume some diagonal growth and then twist back on itself. Notice how limbs grow out of the trunk in an asymmetrical manner and how some limbs may be coming out directly toward us while others grow from behind and we only see parts of them receding into the distance. Overlapping limbs and branches adds greater interest and intrigues as the drawing quality matures and builds finesse with attention to such nuances.
#4 Stay un-even Notice how the limbs emerge from the trunk at varying heights along the trunk and how the density of limbs varies from side to side. Avoid symmetry. One can even find asymmetry in the more symmetrical evergreen by looking for varying bits of shade and light throughout.
#5 Line quality
Allow the line to be your friend along with shading, cross hatching and lines that seemingly disappear into the atmosphere. One can also use the eraser to find highlights. Create darkness in some areas of limbs behind others to allow the limb in the fore to emerge more pronounced. These elements create volume and depth.
#6 Mood
Create mood with deep shadows, areas of interest accentuating unique qualities find unusual beauty contour and depth. The tree is a giver of life, honor the mood you choose to create.
#7 Make it your own
We can never exactly copy the reference, nor should we strive to, make your drawing your own by utilizing these “rules” in nature and art. Understanding these fundamentals will allow you to create trees that feel and look believable yet all your own!
Bonny Leibowitz
http://www.thebonnystudio.com/
http://www.bonnyleibowitz.com/
bonnyfineart@aol.com
214-405-5993580
W. Arapaho Rd. #262
Richardson, Texas 75080
We all know what a tree looks like …many of us can name different species….but when we go to draw the tree it can somehow look stilted, un-artistic, generalized.
Today we are going to learn about how to create a tree in an artistic fashion to give a detailed look, a feel of the species with elegance so that we can have a great tree drawing and work into a tree painting if we so desire.
#1 Seeing Have references available so as to rely on what is seen rather than what is remembered. The brain tends to repeat past behaviors, ways of drawing things, unless we force it to see in new ways.
#2 Thick to thin
Like many forms in nature, the tree tends to grow thick to thin; trunk to roots trunk to limbs; limbs to smaller branches; smaller branches to ever smaller branches and finally leaves. All tend to gradually dissipate outward into air and dirt.
#3 Varying directional growth and overlapping the limbs
Like the figure, we tend to want to draw the tree straight up; vertical, often missing some of the most beautiful nuances and amazing characteristics about the tree. As artists, I suggest we emphasize, over emphasize dynamic characteristics. The mighty tree takes many twists and turns, gnarly and fascinating with sometimes seemingly impossible balancing acts. Allow your tree to assume some diagonal growth and then twist back on itself. Notice how limbs grow out of the trunk in an asymmetrical manner and how some limbs may be coming out directly toward us while others grow from behind and we only see parts of them receding into the distance. Overlapping limbs and branches adds greater interest and intrigues as the drawing quality matures and builds finesse with attention to such nuances.
#4 Stay un-even Notice how the limbs emerge from the trunk at varying heights along the trunk and how the density of limbs varies from side to side. Avoid symmetry. One can even find asymmetry in the more symmetrical evergreen by looking for varying bits of shade and light throughout.
#5 Line quality
Allow the line to be your friend along with shading, cross hatching and lines that seemingly disappear into the atmosphere. One can also use the eraser to find highlights. Create darkness in some areas of limbs behind others to allow the limb in the fore to emerge more pronounced. These elements create volume and depth.
#6 Mood
Create mood with deep shadows, areas of interest accentuating unique qualities find unusual beauty contour and depth. The tree is a giver of life, honor the mood you choose to create.
#7 Make it your own
We can never exactly copy the reference, nor should we strive to, make your drawing your own by utilizing these “rules” in nature and art. Understanding these fundamentals will allow you to create trees that feel and look believable yet all your own!
Bonny Leibowitz
http://www.thebonnystudio.com/
http://www.bonnyleibowitz.com/
bonnyfineart@aol.com
214-405-5993580
W. Arapaho Rd. #262
Richardson, Texas 75080
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