ASBA 2024 - Lucy T Smith - Drawing Trees From Life

Drawing Trees From Life with Lucy T Smith

Using trees at the Pittsburgh Botanical Gardens as our subject matter, we will take on the challenge of drawing trees from life in our sketchbooks “en plein air!” The first steps will be to find the best angle at which to draw our tree, considering distance, viewpoint and lighting; and to get into a comfortable position for an extended period of time. We will then look at capturing correct proportions and using different marks to represent the varied textures of trunks, branches and leaves. You can choose to draw in pencil only, pen and ink with pencil under-drawing, or be brave and draw freehand in pen and ink. I will show examples from my own sketchbook studies.

Supplies:

Sketchbook:

• P2047, P2048. A good-sized sketchbook, for example A4 (21 x 29.cm/8.3 x 11.7 inches to A3 size (29.7 x 42cm/11.7 x 16.5 inches). ( I understand that participants’ books may be limited in size by travel requirements, so bring what you can. I recommend a sketchbook containing either cartridge paper with a weight of at least 160gsm, or watercolor paper. Paper of good weight and quality will allow for erasure without tearing. A smooth surface is preferable, but please make sure your paper has some texture so that it holds graphite if you are using pencil.)

Pencils

• PL38. For drawing in pencil only: I recommend pencils of a few hardnesses, e.g. from 2H to 2B. Bring a broader range if you wish.
• PL38. For drawing under pen and ink: a 2H lead hardness lead.
• S859, PL13. Keep your pencils sharp with your preferred sharpener – my pencil is a 2mm lead holder, which is sharpened using a “lead pointer tub.”
• E13. For erasing I use a white plastic eraser, “Mars Staedtler” brand. Make sure your eraser is gentle on your paper.

Pens & Ink

• M17, M197, M188. Black ink pens of any type including: fine liners, rotring pens, dip (nib) pens in sizes ranging from 0.05 – 0.3. Waterproof and lightfast quality ink is recommended. If drawing freehand in pen and ink, I recommend using “light grey” and “dark grey” fine liners in addition to standard black ink liners.

Measuring equipment

• S984. A clear plastic ruler is useful for measuring trees from a distance, as is a spare pencil.

Photographic equipment

• For taking reference photos as back-up to drawing, or to allow you to finish the drawing later, bring a camera or use your phone camera.