Tuesday, 4 February 2014

Scots Pine


Graphite on cartridge paper 30 x 40 cm.

Very close to my home is a beautiful forest of Scots pines, these trees stand at the entrance of the forest and I often look up to them from the path that leads into the centre of the forest. I edited the scene a little to soften the heavy canopy of pine needles that is there in reality near the base of the trees. I used different grades of Graphite pencils from very soft to the H grades to give definition to the branches and foliage. I was also able to get some strong contrasts at the back of the trees that brought out the very light areas of the trunks where the sunlight was the strongest. I had bought a batch of some good quality cartridge paper but I cannot find the name of the brand as I bought the paper by the sheet. I have some grey paper that I often use as a mount to display the drawings I have made of trees in my portfolio.
Within this forest are also a variety of other trees as I am slowly discovering as I leave the main path and explore the smaller paths. While this coastal area is relatively flat there are hillocks in many areas around my village and beyond that have groups of trees on them or the large hillocks will have forests planted on and around them.  There are also red squirrels, owls and deer who live in this forest, in the highest part there are nests of buzzards who serenely glide over the forest each day looking for food.

8 comments:

Keith Tilley said...

Hello Caroline, is this the Culbin Forest. I keep meaning to have a look at that when I'm down that way, but never seem to get the time.

I think it's fascinating to study the same trees through all the seasons: the basic structure stays the same, but there is such a variety of colour, texture and shape.

Caroline Simmill said...

Hi Keith, these are the trees on the edge of Crooked Wood near Elgin. The Culbin Forest is really nice oo and it has a look out which is a very high wooden structure where you can look out across Findhorn Bay. Thank you for your comment Keith.

Anonymous said...

Hi Caroline, such an interesting project. I will be following your blog where I can follow your study of trees. It looks to be a creative year ahead of you.

Caroline Simmill said...

Hi Maggie great to see you here. Thank you for following my study of trees.

Steven W. Dunn said...

Hi Caroline
What a beautiful drawing! I love tress and also enjoy rendering drawings and paintings of them.
Steven

Caroline Simmill said...

Thank you Steven, I visited your blog but was unable to see your images of your paintings and drawings.

Lynne E. Windsor said...

Beautiful drawing Caroline.

Kev's Art said...

Finally managed to find my way to this blog! Lovely tree drawing, great tonal work and you've conveyed the size and mass of these beautiful trees so very well. I've also really enjoyed looking at the other pictures on this page. You live in a truly lovely part of the world and it comes through in your work. Keep doing!!