This is my second attempt to sketch and write a blog this week, the first effort was not great – more wilting lilies. So, I decided to draw a fantastic tree for which Devonport (where I live) is quite famous – the Moreton Bay Fig. This large evergreen tree of the Mulberry family happens to be native to Eastern Australia. Lucky Devonport has many of these fabulous giants based around our library. They are so big they almost straddle the road, and I always stop and admire the amazing root systems which have tourists clicking their cameras. I became the tourist this day and took a photo while out walking. This will make a nice art project I thought.
I started sketching using a water-soluble graphite pencil, which has a nice thick, soft lead. My idea at first, was to make this a tonal wash sketch, using different techniques. I have tried using a white blockout lumocolor before, when there are considerable white spots in the texture in tree trunks, and would be too fiddly to leave so many bits of white paper showing, as I usually do. The blockout has worked well when I’ve used a straight watercolour wash. However, it doesn’t work that well with the water soluble graphite (for me anyway), as it leaves residual grain. So, I left the work to dry, and then tried to erase the extra pigment which had penetrated the white blockout. So now my work looks grubby, which is not unusual when I try using water! Never mind, the watercolour paper is 33gm Hahnemühle and can cope with heavy treatment.
I was reasonably happy with the top sketch but could see I had missed the proportion somewhat bottom left and top right. I did adjust that, and feel it is better. I also used a clean Staedtler eraser to lift off some of the unwanted tone. Done. But now, my task was to work more texture into the sketch, and to add limited colour. I used an 8B graphite pencil (not a water-soluble one) for the extra texture on the tree, colour pencil for the moss and the smattering of leaves. My conclusion is that maybe it’s okay to enjoy these magnificent trees while out walking, and forgo the urge to draw them – just saying.
ARTISTRY 
That came out great! Not grubby at all from here!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
WOW!! COMPLIMENTI!
LikeLike
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎❤️🌺
LikeLike
Impressive tree trunk!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. They are amazing trees.
LikeLike
I really like the organic shapes and the way you detailed the root system. C’est réussi 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. They are such marvellous trees, it seemed a same not to draw one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely picture, Vivienne. I always think these fig trees look like melted elephants. Thanks for the details about your process – always interested to learn from others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Phil. I’m always going to see these trees as melted elephants now. I once climbed up onto an elephants back, lucky it didn’t melt while I was sitting there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha – yess just as well it didn’t melt with you on there! Otherwise you may have just created a new “Persistence of Memory” painting 😂
LikeLike
Wow! Loved this blog especially how you noted down your experiences especially with the mediums and your experiments!
The trees shading is great! Makes you want to explore between the roots!
LikeLike
Thank you. I always try to help others, even if it’s from my own mistakes.
LikeLike
Yasss! This is great – gives others a guide as to what may or may not work
LikeLike
Another very interesting post. I love the way you explain the process of your work. And what magnificent trees. I look forward to the next ‘experience’.
LikeLike
Thank you Yvonne. I always like to know the processes others go through. Pleased that you enjoyed the post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ll captured.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike