The Apple Tree

After tree-hunting, as I mentioned in my last post, I finally decided on the subject for my classes: an apple tree in the school’s orchard. The tree had great character with its expressive branches (sloping, parallel lines, elbows), beautiful foliage, and a bushy ground underneath. Additionally, it was small and offered good views from different angles. My major concern was the sun, but Oliver helped me to move an umbrella around so we could have some shade.

I was glad that I decided on this tree. It was a great subject indeed, although the foliage wasn't so easy grasp and draw - nevertheless, it provided us a lot of information and insights. My students seemed to really enjoy drawing it!

Here's one of my demonstration sheets:

Here's another one, with some notes:

During the days I spent there, I worked continuously in one piece, allowing me to enjoy the subject, while learning from the process and sharing my insights with the students. The final piece was acquired by the school, which have an amazing collection of art by former instructors - this made me very proud.

Next post, I will talk about the classes!

See you soon ;)

Tree-Hunting

During my time in the US, my focus was always on trees, as they were the main subject of most of my activities. 

Following my attempts to find a perfect subject for my classes I went "tree-hunting" around the school premisses (as I told here) and around the island. One subject that stood out was an old weeping willow, by the entrance of the Madeline Island Golf Club. I went there with Jane Blundell to sketch it, but due to the rain, we sketched from inside the car.

The sketch I did there share some similarities with another one I did later in Seattle. I believe this is due to the focus on the branch system. 

In both drawings I used graphite and white pastel Cretacolor pencils and erasers.

The old weeping willow, seen from inside the car

An old tree in the Seattle Arboretum, particularly the branch that extends straight out from the trunk caught my attention - it seemed oddly unnatural.