Practice

One of the constants of art-making is practice. Practicing allows me to sharpen skills, train my eyes, and even try out new mediums of expression or methods of work. These drawings are practice examples from a few years ago. These were done to study the structures of various kinds of trees in various settings. And they were also done to study a kind of drawing known as metalpoint. Metalpoint drawings are made with a metal rod--in this case silver, but gold and others are used. The surface is slightly abrasive so that the metal is rubbed off and adheres to the support. 

When we begin drawing most of what we draw looks odd because we tend to draw things as we think they look rather than how they're actually put together. Trees are a perfect example. Tree structure, colors, foliage, and so on are quite different among the various kinds. Compare the structure of an oak versus a pine tree. So these were done to fix tree structures and appearances in my mind and to practice using silverpoint. Each of these is 6x4 on gessoed hardboard.

"Blue Spruce, Snow"

"Winter Companions"

"Bristlecone Pine"

"Silver Spring"