Part 3 Project 1 Ex 2

My task in Exercise 2 is to look closely at tree and show its character in my drawing. Henry Moore is famous not only for his sculptures but also for his drawings.  I looked at these images by Moore and they convey lots about the tree they depict.

Tree Trunks II - Henry Moore, 1982.
Charcoal, ballpoint pen, gouache (1)

Tree Trunks II is an image of a very old, possibly dead tree.  It looks like it was coppiced many years ago, it is knarled and its roots are exposed. Moore is looking at it head on and there is no evidence of the height we suppose the tree must have.  It is rendered in charcoal, ballpoint pen and gouache although it is hard to see the detail on my picture.  The marks are smudgy and indistinct and create a strange, other worldly atmosphere.  There are no outlines just lots of tone.

Trees II Upright Branches - Henry Moore, 1979
Etching on paper (2)

Trees II Upright Branches is an etching and it is much more defined.  The viewpoint is unusual as it is looking up into the tree tops from quite close up.  Neither the top nor the bottom of the tree is visible. The tree trunks are outlined and the curved marks on them indicate roundness.  The branches are a tangled mass of tones and the trees in the distance are paler and smaller.

There is a lot to learn from looking at such lovely work.

The weather is cold and wet, what an awful time to be doing a project that demands outdoor work.

The ash tree I have chosen to draw is at the bottom of our garden and was once part of a hedge.  I know this because there is evidence of it being cut regularly.  Now though it is immense but in itself unremarkable.  However, at the bottom of the tree there is a large root which emerges from the ground then turns back on itself and makes a hollow bowl shape.  Inside the deep bowl it is so dark that no plants live in it. I am going to sketch this part of the tree.

I'm working in my sketchbook because it's easy to manage outdoors, initially using pencils and a graphite stick.

Old ash tree - graphite

When I went indoors again I added a tiny bit of green and lime green pencil crayon which I then wet a little.  It's hardly there.

Old ash tree 2 - graphite and pencil crayon

The big old tree is on the right side with a semi mature, smooth trunked offshoot growing up against it. The other twiggy uprights are new shoots emerging all over the place.  The whole thing is covered in winter undergrowth and surrounded by moss.

This captures the quite spooky nature of this part of the ash tree.  I don't think the colour adds anything at all but I just wanted to try it out.

(1) http://sculpture.uk.com/artists/henry_moore/
(2)  http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/moore-trees-ii-upright-branches-p02693