Tree Study _ Holly – Ink and Watercolour

This started as a response to articles sent by John Stremikis. They gave details of ways in which light and dark tones can be used without the mid tones confusing the issue. There were two articles and these are links to them

http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2011/04/cure-for-middle-value-mumbling.html

http://emptyeasel.com/2008/08/12/seeing-notan-how-to-make-stronger-compositions-using-lights-and-darks/

Please note the second link describes the Japanese art of “Notan”

These got the imagination going and I attempted a drawing of a complicated bunch of holly leaves (where is a good botanical illustrator, such as RoseIndigo, when needed?) The stages, showing my meagre efforts can be found at these links.

Finally – an amusing tale. Years ago, I was teaching a group of 11-12 year olds. We were discussing the different qualities of type of timber. I said to one young lady, Holly Thomson, “You know, there is a tree named after you?”. A few months later, she presented me with a Christmas card which said, “Happy Christmas – from Ilex Aquifolium”

Woodland – Pastel

Just another attempt to see if pastel works – this time in the sketchbook rather than the Moleskine Watercolour book.

Skye revisited – Ink

Its six years since we last visited the Isle of Skye. As we thought about holidays, the other night, I remembered the great time we had there. This is Dunvegan Head which is about as far north and west you can go on the island. This view shows the massive sea cliffs on the promontory but gives little indication of the scale of things. The total length of this view, is about 2 miles.

I used black ink for this watered down, in various amounts, to create different tones. The only other colour used was a small amount of red to reflect the sun shining above the sea.

Summer Sunset – Pastel and ink on Yellow Card

I remember this scene from somewhere but cannot recall where. Perhaps it was on a record sleeve (sorry CD Cover for you younger folks). This is, therefore, drawn from memory and is an attempt to use pastel to create a vivid (I hope) evening sky with very dark backlit trees and plants. Only the tips of the branches were added with a fine Micron Pen. Surely, after the severe weather which has passed this year, we will be entitled to some of this sort of stuff?

Tree study _ Ash – Pencil

Another of my favourite trees, ash is used extensively for handles for tools and other implements where strength and elasticity is required. This effort was completed using pencil only

Bruce’s Statue, Bannockburn – Charcoal and Graphite

Following on my previous attempt to render objects in different ways. This copies the last posting by using the same stuff.

This imposing statue stands near the site of the Battle of Bannockburn where, Robert Bruce (The Bruce) defeated the English King Edward 2nd’s forces in 1314. I have always felt that this monument seems a wee bit false since every Scots schoolchild knows the story of an event which happened just before the battle. Legend has it that Henry de Bohun, nephew of the Earl of Hereford saw Bruce riding on a lightweight pony, some distance from the main army. Seeing an opportunity the knight charged The Bruce who remained still until, at the last moment, he whipped the small horse to one side then smashed his battle axe through the skull of the unfortunate knight. Either Bruce changed his gear, before the battle and this statue is correct or the sculptor has used some artistic license.

Our national bard, Robert Burns, commemorated the battle by penning what he thought Bruce might have said to his troops before the conflict. It is one of Scotland’s most famous songs and starts:

‘Scots, wha hae wi’ Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome tæ yer gory bed,
Or tæ victorie.

The full song, with translation for those of you unfortunate not to be Scottish, can be found at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scots_Wha_Hae

Tree Scene – Graphite and Charcoal Powder

The is the first time I’ve used these powders to block in large areas. Its interesting – but very messy. Will probably now need to re-decorate the house.

Tree Study – European Larch – Pastel and Charcoal on textured paper

Another one of my favourite trees. Larches are the only conifer which looses leaves in the Autumn. They are quite prevalent in the borders and parts of the Highlands in Scotland

Tree study, Sycamore – Inktense

Back to simplicity. This is my view of one of our most common trees. The sycamores (plane trees etc) are really prevalent in my area and its an uphill task to root out the seedlings each year as they spin downwards, with their “helicopter motions” late in the year. If neglected young trees can quickly take over barren areas and cause much choking of ground. The adult trees are spectacular with a large spread offering much shade.
This was done using three colours form Inktense vlocks

Woodland Spring – Inktense, Watercolour and Pastel

I’ve been trying to figure out a way to depict my favourite trees and this is getting near the end of the journey. I started with trying different sketching techniques while using different media. This one, a mythical forest scene, uses three separate ones. The sky is in watercolour, the distant trees are in pastel while the sharper, near stuff is done using the new Inktense block colours. I think this is about as far as I want to go with mixing media as I might make things too complicated. Will try to concentrate on specific genre in the next few posts.