Sunday, April 27, 2014

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.

3 comments:

Win Dinn, Artist said...

I so admire your plein air sketching and painting on location, Eileen. What an inspiration. And while you're not happy with the tree as it looks now, your notes indicate that you know exactly how to fix it. Well done.

Linda Cole said...

I wouldn't call your first tree pathetic but it did need more life - you inspire me to start working again. Thank you Eileen!
So love your posts.

Watercolour and Textile Artist, Eileen Gidman said...

Thanks Linda for connecting with me on line. Glad to hear you are thinking about doing more art.