Autumn trees
Posted: October 17, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized 15 CommentsFollowing a comment that someone made on one of my posts about the variety of subjects that I choose, I got to thinking about why I pick not only different subjects but also different materials. When you sketch every day it is possible to lose interest in what you are doing. To get bored, even. Some days my time is limited, I can’t get out for long or go far from home so I end up circling in the same area, looking for new things to paint. Changing the paper I work on gives me a challenge.
I have painted around St. Joachim Church in Pointe Claire countless times and I keep thinking that there is nothing new to see. But since I have been experimenting with this new Moleskine sketchbook, things that I would normally not tackle on another paper are suddenly interesting. Like these bare trees by the lake that would be too detailed to do by brush alone now become a possibility with this very smooth paper.
I love this composition. Love the point of view. What pen did you use for the tree?
Thanks Valerie. I used a Faber-Castell Pitt Artist’s pen with sepia ink. Another new purchase!!
Hi Shari,
Having grown up in Pointe Claire the tree in your drawing is instantly recognizable as a big part of my environment. You make an interesting comment about drawing every day can sometimes be a little boring. Or is it fatigue? Even though these are small sketches don’t they call for an intense level of concentration while you connect with your subject.
Trees have always held my attention and been a big part of my life – the trees that I look at everyday are never quite the same even from morning to evening on the same day. Ah, the magic of light!
These sketches do require a lot of concentration but that is very relaxing Mary. So glad you recognize the area.
My observation (and I know how much you like them) is that typically, when you do a double-page, you actually do two joined compositions which work as a single composition as well. Today is a good example of this… just cover each half and you will see what I mean… yesterday, wasn’t one of these unless you like the end of a lever with a lot of space as a subject, although the right hand page certainly worked by itself. So, my point is… (yes, there was a point to all of this)… do you actually think about your double-page subjects/composition in this way or could it be something to do with just avoiding the page crease with the centre of interest?
No, I don’t think of them like that. I just start drawing and see where I end up. Except for the typewriter. I planned that one a bit.
That’s funny… that was the one that I thought you hadn’t planned.
Your sophisticated sketch planning technique is also a bit funny… “just start drawing and see where you end up”… is that what you teach in workshops? : )
I don’t usually do a sketch of my sketch : )
And we can only be thankful to you for keep looking at things with different perspectives and showing us the results.
I am really impressed with the watercolors on the Moleskine sketchbook. I tried it once but was not pleased with the flow of the black ink nor the watercolors.
But I think your work has just inspired me to give it another try.
Let me know how it goes Filipe. I like working in it.
This is beautiful! Do you have a watercolor book you could recommend for the basics.I lack depth and technique.
THANKS!
I am delinquent in sending you this info Genine. I will try to find a good book for you.
I enjoy seeing such fine lines. I bought a set of watercolor pencils today, General Kimberly. What other tools can you suggest for a beginning urban sketcher? I like these fine pens a lot.
Glad you got some good pencils, although I don’t know that brand. My suggestion would be to travel light (which I never do!) Get a good travel brush, a small container for water, a little set of watercolours, a mechanical pencil and a fine line waterproof Micron pen.