A while back I did a watercolor of a tree. It was a tree in my neighborhood that caught my attention, (actually I love trees, I think they all have their own character, they are living things and have a history and are almost always interesting to paint- like people). When I finished it I posted it on line and I remember someone remarking that they thought the painting was nice but trees are a boring subject, my wife agreed saying the tree was nice but people want to see scenery and not just a painting of a tree. I understood her comment to reflect what she and some others would enjoy in a painting, but at the same time I felt that maybe I just failed to communicate what made that tree interesting to me.
I continue to draw trees in my sketchbook and I try to show why I think they are interesting, it’s the same approach I use to sketching people in the subway, I consciously search for some hint of character that would make the drawing interesting. Best thing about trees is that they don’t move, don’t need breaks, their the perfect models.
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| This was the painting that I posted. It was a lot of fun to paint. |
I have been trying to explain to my husband that I see personalities in trees just by their shapes and the gestures of their limbs. I sometimes name them as we drive by, with a title like "Hercules" or "Courage". There is something about the over-all "picture" of a tree. The same goes for a good portrait painting or figurative painting. Sometimes its the outer appearance that can tell you something about what's inside. The wrinkles in skin or twisted, wind-blown outstretched limbs of a tree. These things can tell you what this person or tree has been through...
ReplyDeleteAmazing work.......
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