Ancient Beech
Ancient Beech
NOT FOR SALE
A few miles for home stood an ancient beech. So grand was it that it was well known the area. We usually stopped as we past it, just to wander under its branches and to marvel at the girth of its trunk.
Sadly, this wonderful old tree fell, victim to a particularly vicious winter storm . Thankfully I had completed this drawing of it a few years earlier. I drew it just because I wanted to celebrate its majesty. I am so glad I did!
Medium : pencil and graphite blocks
This intricate drawing covers a whole sheet ( 22in x 30in) of Canson paper, and took nearly approximately 90 hours to complete (not counting the hours when I took a break because I was going cross eyed!)
The techniques used included traditional pencil techniques, but I also used watercolour techniques with the graphite blocks. In places I grated graphite on the wet paper. Elsewhere I used the block as a pan paint.
I cannot part with this drawing, but you can enjoy it here, and it also features in our Book ‘Painting Trees’