Inspirational Warm-Up Exercises
A Walk Through the Woods
For this project, you have a mission. Put on comfy shoes and start walking among the trees with a camera. You don’t need to live near the Appalachian Trail to find inspiring trees. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful trees you can see if you just walk around the block and pay attention. If you live in a big city, give yourself permission to visit the biggest park or arboretum. Snap pictures of trees that hold your interest and try to fit the whole tree in your viewfinder—this will give you a better reference shot for your sketches. Be aware that trees will look different as the seasons change, but every season offers its advantages.
Winter trees provide a good sense of basic form.
In spring, leaves fall around treetops like different hairstyles.
Reference: Cast Your Characters
Bring your photos home and create a few sketches of individual trees. These drawings of single trees can be moved around and paired up just like characters in a story. As you sketch, be attentive to the overall shape of each tree, its bark and its leaves. Like the clothing and hairstyles of people, these aspects of trees can be played up to get them into character.
Some trees are relatively small and slender with very long, expressive “arms.”
Some trees have thicker trunks and interesting bark. What does your tree’s bark say about its personality?
Fir trees are beautiful and evoke images of winter, snow and the smell of pine needles. Since they don’t have traditional leaves, though, it might be difficult to cast them in an autumn love story.