If you know me you know that I draw tree’s on a regular basis. I can’t help myself I love to draw them. Tree’s seem to calm me when I’m around them. They are strong and not much can take them down short of a tornado or a saw. I was never a tree climber as a child I just wanted to lay beneath them and look up at all the branches that inter twine together. Drawing tree’s for me are the basics of learning to draw. There are no 2 alike ever, even if they are of the same species.
As children we draw trees as a trunk and ball at the top that represent the leaves. As we get older we draw the trunk with straight like arms that are evenly drawn on each side of the trunk. At that point most children stop their art careers in school around the 6th grade. If a child goes on to explore art in middle school and high school they might learn to draw tree’s with more character and form.
I suggest a great project for the whole family this summer. Give everyone in the family a sketch book and pencils. Pick a tree that is easily available to your family to sit and draw. Have everyone draw the tree at least 8 times this summer, maybe once a week and date the drawing. At the end of summer you will be surprised at the progress each tree drawing made as its done more and more. Have a night were you all sit and share your drawings. It’s a project that everyone in the family can do or just the kiddo’s. It’s time well spent away from the computer, TV or video games.
When I draw a tree I always start with the basic layout of the truck and main branch placement. After I get that all finished I start with filling in the trunk and branches. The smaller branches are added at the end to fill in the open areas. Once its all filled in with branches I start the shading and texturing. This is what makes the tree come to life. I love to give it depth with the dark areas and give it light by leaving some areas open of pencil. To me the more quirky the pencil marks are on the branches the more unique it makes your tree.
My favorite tree is in Wylie Texas just off the side the road. The city has yet to disturb it as the city grows up around it. I love this tree and I have plans this summer to take a picture of it and paint it. I’m pretty sure it is very old and has weathered many of storms. Tree’s are strong and mighty but has plenty of give to weather those stores. I hope that I’m the same way in life strong enough to hold my self against the storms but weather them well and stand firm. Tuesday is gonna be a great day so go grab some blue sky and have a Blue Happy day!
