African Elephant

We have seen these in Kenya and they are more impressive in the wild than in a zoo setting.  Unfortunately the International Ban on the ivory trade was lifted so our Grandchildren might not be able to see them in the wild.

Only God can draw a tree

So the title of this post is play on words for "Only God can grow a tree."  Since I have a long way to go and lots of practice before being able to draw like a god, I will keep at it.  This will be the last tree post for a while.  I will give you something else tomorrow.

Pine trees with Markers

So a little different, Pine tree studies with markers.  These are easy to do with a head cold, which I am dealing with right now.  All these little sketches work to build the repository of skills and knowledge.  I like the tree on the left better.

Tree Practice and analysis

I recently took a painting class.  I decided I wanted to improve my tree painting capability so I am reviewing my art books and I am practicing different techniques.  This is from the Guptill Book Rendering in Pencil.  Practice anything for an hour today, and after a year your will be pretty damn good at it.

White Pine Sketch

Another tree sketch, I spent the day under the weather and this is the only thing I did today art wise. White Pines are a threatened species of tree as they are vulnerable to beetles and warmer weather.

Tree Sketch - Willow

I have different sketchbooks for different subjects.  I have started one to study trees and different ways to capture their essences.  This is one of the practice sketches as part of the 10,000 hours necessary to master a subject.

Oak Sketch

Tonight's sketch is a little practice sketch of an Oak.  It is more designed than natural observation but it represents the species.