Sugar Maple
Fall color has been exceptional this year! Everywhere is a feast of gold, russets, reds, browns, and greens. The first piece is a small nod to all this beautiful color. The second is a tribute to an old and beloved sugar maple in front of our house. Several of its lower, dying branches are about to be pruned off. I hate to see them go!
Coming up! Autumn Art in Action at Winslow Art Center, October 22-25. Sign up for free to take advantage of four inspiring days of live demos, interactive work-alongs, and engaging artist talks. Video recordings are available to watch afterward. Join me for The Empty Nest: Ink and Watercolor Sketch Demo on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2pm Pacific/5pm Eastern.
Hi Jean, Love these 2 pieces! What did you use for the tree? It looks like both pen and pencil? Thanks, Pam Joseph
Hi Pam- I used pencil for the tree (white and black Blackwing– both pretty soft, but the black is darker, maybe like a 6B). It’s on Strathmore drawing paper…nothing great, but it’s a large pad and I wanted a lot of space. If I have time, I’ll do it again.
Thank you! The blackwings all seem to be softer than what they claim. I really like the softness you got, especially with the shading.
These are lovely. I’m especially drawn in with the maple leaf and keys. The way you implied leaves on the tree sketch is great. I just came inside from a long walk with three leaves, one of which is a sugar maple, to paint later this afternoon. I hope the pruning of your tree improves its overall health.
Thanks Jan- This is such a great time of year for tree and leaf painting. I hope you enjoy your time looking at all the colors!
I’d swear your maple leaf is going to flutter right off the page! Gorgeous! In one of the comments the seed pair was referred to as “keys?” Really an interesting name. The old maple tree is breathtaking, Jean! Excellent graphite work and what a perfect way to preserve those lower soon-to-be gone branches! Is the drawing very large?
Can’t wait for your Winslow Autumn Art in Action session next Sunday!
I love how you included the worn and bug-chewed leaf and seeds. It’s so evocative of the season!
Hi Jean, I love the way you suggest the leaves on your Sugar maple sketch – the shapes and the way the zig zagging lines connect them or suggest more are delightful. (Same with the branches & twigs).
Will any of those branches live on as sculptures or will they give their lives to keeping you warm? Or maybe they’ll slowly give way to insect homes in the back woods…
Not quite sure yet what will happen to the branches. Much of this would make good firewood. Still, I hate to see them go.