A Pathetic Free Motion Stitched Tree

 

Oh, this tree needs some improvements! I've fallen into a common mistake of drawing or in this case free motion stitching how I think a tree looks and not actually how it is. What is to be done???



Poplar tree, Larch tree (upper left), abandon farm house

Go back to the basics and sketch some trees on location. What a lovely couple of hours of sketching I had with my friend Doris outside of Creston, BC. As the poplar tree trunks were so white, I darkened the background to make them stand out. 

Maple Tree

This maple tree in my yard was transplanted from a volunteer sapling from my mother's yard at least 18 years ago.

Birch Tree with Cedar Tree

The detail insert of the birch tree seemed necessary to show the peeling bark.

When I look back at the free motion stitched tree at the beginning of this post, I see that a bit more variance to the tree trunk shape, a widening at the base, some highlights and some finer twigs would all provide a more realistic looking tree. If all the leaves aren't out on the trees where you live, it is a good time to get out sketching.