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When
composing a landscape painting it is important to know how to draw and paint
trees. First draw the trunk and main branches, then outline the foliage
with dots. Eventually, by following this method, you will be able to depict
a luxuriant forest. Note carefully the way the branches relate to one another.
If there are a lot of branches in nature, add more and elaborate them; where
there are only a few, reduce the number.
In particular, carefully observe the structure and setting of the trees
and the way they contribute to the whole composition. Once you are able
to lay out the basic structure of a composition, the rest will follow and
fit in happily.
Remember, just as a road branches off into other roads and paths, so branches
fork out from the trunk. It is easy to find your way along a familiar road.
You can travel its length, or branch off on to known side roads or even
tiny tracks. You could probably even draw a map of this road network from
memory, giving some idea of the angles at which various roads connect. Now
you need to become equally familiar with the structure of different types
of tree, so that you can depict them accurately.
Over the centuries terms connected with trees have become metaphors for
various aspects of human life. Both tree branches and human legs and arms
are referred to as ¡¥limbs¡¦. We are all familiar
with the tree of life, and we chart our ancestors on a family tree. We use
a branching diagram to show the development of the human race. The tree
has therefore become symbolic of many aspects of our lives.
Many types of tree appear in traditional Chinese painting, with all sorts
of different leaves. Here is a selection of them:
The pine tree is a symbol of longevity, which also stands for the constancy
of friendship in adversity. It has needle-shaped leaves and gnarled branches.
Start your painting of a pine tree with the application of black and grey
ink.
LEAVES
The needles appear in clusters, and tend to grow upwards from a branch (below
left).
When painting pine needles, try to vary the angle slightly and overlap the
groups of needles.
BARK
Pine tree bark comes off in patches, like scales. To paint it you need a
large dry brush and grey ink. Create shading by making rough circular shapes
with the side of the brush. Do not make the circles too uniform, and only
paint enough to cover about half the width of the branch or trunk. Towards
the centre of the trunk make some semi-circles rather than circles. Do not
shade the circles and semi-circles too neatly, or they will not look natural.
Then apply the black strokes, using the tip of your brush and varying the
pressure. The small side branches are painted like those of the prunus tree
, rugged and creviced.
ROOTS
To paint the tree roots, use grey ink first, then black strokes.
Use a twisting motion.
CONES
Use black ink, with a flicking movement of the brush tip.
Begin at the tip of the cone and work back towards the base.
COLOUR
The trunk and branches need colour with a light wash. Use
the whole of your brush and move it gradually over the
desired area. Vary the tone as you apply the colour, and let
the different shades blend together where they meet up.
To colour the needles, simply add a few green needles to
the existing black ones. You can also add a few yellow or grey
ones on one side of each group and some indigo ones on the
other. This will give the impression of light and shade.
Greater depth can be achieved by adding a very light green
wash behind the needles after colouring.
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