Old Tree Root

by Sandra Busby
(East Sussex. England)

Drawing Of An Old Tree Root

I spotted this lovely old tree root on a river bank whilst on a recent trip to Wales with my Husband, my son and My Dad. My Dad suggested I have a go at drawing it, but since I am still such a beginner and had never attempted any thing like it before, I decided to go and find something else less complicated, instead.

The thing is, there was nothing around that I liked as much as the tree root, and I thought that if I keep avoiding drawing things that look too hard, I will never learn.

With that in mind, I sat on the bank and took out my sketch pad, which I now carry everywhere - having taken Kerry's advice - and started scribbling away. It didn't look like much at first, but after 20 minutes or so it started to look suprisingly like what I was trying to draw.

With that as encouragement, I carried on scribbling. By the time it got to the stage that you see now, I was really pleased with what it had turned out like, and also totally suprised too!

It really could have done with another 20 minutes or so working on the depth, tone and texture, but having sat on a wet, muddy bank on such a crisp Spring day for 45 minutes, I was feeling really cold and stiff, and I decided it was time to go.

But, I left feeling really encouraged.

I am going to look for more things like this to draw now because I really enjoyed it.

I drew this using ordinary graphite pencils - HB, 2B, 4B & 8B. I have just ordered myself some tinted graphite pencils, because with just the slighted hint of colour, I think I could have made more of the Moss and Ivy creeping up the bark.

Any ideas on improving my drawing are always welcome!

**Note from Kerry:
Hi Sandra. Doesn't it look fantastic? I am so proud of you!

If you're wondering why it looks grainy, that is the 4 and 8B pencils. For some reason, they don't scan as well as a 2B. If you wanted a crisper outline, you would go over the outside with a 2B.

Of course, this is just a tip to use when you scan your drawings. I would think it looks just fine as you look at it in your sketchpad.