MATERIALS
• Artline ink pen -0.1.
• 300gsm A3 acid free paper.
STEP ONE
I draw the basic outline of trees and tree roots. I always draw directly with ink pen on paper. Usually, I prefer Artline pens (0.1 to 0.8), or Rotring pens.
STEP TWO
I start adding more detail to the tree trunks and the creek bank.
I also begin to darken the hollow in the creek bank.
STEP THREE
I continue with the creek bank shading, adding rocks as I progress; and drawing varying lines to give the effect of soil.
STEP FOUR
I render the shading of the root system and finish the foreground detail. Eyes are added in the shadowed area within the root system, as a signature quirk.
MASTER HINTS AND TIPS
• As a matter of interest, I recorded the time it took to complete this picture. I was surprised that it totalled 50 hours.
• Ink pens are a great medium to use when travelling as there isn’t a lot of equipment to pack – just the pens and a good quality drawing pad.
• Photographs of my subjects are essential for this type of work, because of the detail and the time factor involved in achieving a finished drawing.
• I always take a camera with me on holidays and excursions.
