Moss/Lichen on Oak Tree – Acrylic and watercolour in a Watercolour Moleskine
I was surprised to see many different native hardwoods during our recent trip. There has been, in the last 50years a tendency for vast conifer plantations to be grown for quick profit. Now the Forestry Commission has been busy planting more native species including the oak which once dominated Scotland. This drawing attempts to show the effects of parasitic growths in a very wet climate. The lichen and moss dominated this small wood in Glen Errochty. It was quite magical and I cannot do it justice.
che pablo 9:57 am on June 11, 2010 | #
I’m not sure which I like better—the moss/lichen or the background foliage. You certainly have the knack for foliage. For the moss, have you tried salt blooms? I haven’t used the technique myself but it would seem to give a similar effect.
Uncle Bob 10:19 am on June 11, 2010 | #
Hi Che. Like Both – Please! Please! Please!
Yes I have tried salt but only with limited success and only with watercolours. I used acrylic paint here as I knew I was going to add layer after layer of paint on the tree trunk. I actually started by masking out the trunk and some of the larger branches then used watercolour for the background to get a blurred effect. Then paint was applied to the large trunk. The good thing about Acrylic is, like oil, you can add light paint on top of dark unlike watercolour. Salt, dropped into acrylic doesn’t work but I have found it great for snow scenes in watercolour. PS use crystals of sea salt when trying this. Fine, milled salt produces a sort of cement. Thanks for your nice comment – Bob
arqetancourt 10:36 am on June 11, 2010 | #
Texturas, colores y transparencias para disfrutar, felicidades Bob!
Textures, colors and transparencies to enjoy, congratulations Bob!
Fabienne 12:24 pm on June 11, 2010 | #
I believe that I could look at this drawing for a long time, with all these details and the atmosphere which gets free of it. Bravo!
Uncle Bob 3:12 pm on June 11, 2010 | #
Gracias Arqetancourt. He disfrutado haciendo esto.
Thank you Arqetancourt. I enjoyed doing this.
Uncle Bob 3:13 pm on June 11, 2010 | #
I am really pleased you like this, Fabienne. I wish I had taken more details of this oak wood. There were many trees with a variety of mosses and other growths.
SaraLynnSantarsiero 6:04 pm on June 11, 2010 | #
The texture in this piece is unbelievable!
KirbysArt 11:08 pm on June 11, 2010 | #
Lots of moss on that tree, recognized it right away. Nice use of texture Bob.
~Kirby
Uncle Bob 2:21 am on June 12, 2010 | #
SaraLynn and Kirby. Thanks for the comments. Since I am guilty of leaving stuff, such as texture, out of my paintings this comes as a great complement. I should make a check list to follow as I often forget shadows, contrast ………. as well (The list would be huge
)
Crooked Beak 12:45 pm on June 12, 2010 | #
Well done. Wonderful tree texture(s) and palette.
Uncle Bob 1:08 pm on June 12, 2010 | #
Thanks for this. Have left a reply in the “Challenge thread” for you
Uncle Bob 1:09 pm on June 12, 2010 | #
Oh dear. Ignore that – its meant for Chepablo but you are welcome to join in as well. I’m getting too old to organise myself.
Margie 1:42 pm on June 13, 2010 | #
I really love the textures, Bob.
Uncle Bob 3:13 pm on June 15, 2010 | #
Good of you Margie. I’m glad this worked out as it was kinda difficult to do and I almost gave up.
ttoilledivad 1:21 pm on August 23, 2010 | #
I love this one! It’s been said by many before it seems but the colours and texture in this are awesome! great composition too!