For the second week of my 100 day landscape challenge, and as I found myself hesitant and almost faltering so early on, I decided to embark on the challenge in a slightly different way. So began a week-long journey to reconnect with the basics by immersing myself in my sketchbook. I ventured outdoors, glad of the cooler weather! I searched in the (few) parks and gardens the island of Malta has to offer, and immersed myself in the intricate interplay of light and the astonishing diversity of trees.
My week started with a chance visit to one of the local gardens in the capital. I had an unexpected free hour and wandered around on my own, observing the sharp angles of the evening light on the trees and backlighting patches of leaves beautifully. The more I looked the more I appreciated the subtle shifts in shadows and the patterns created by them. I’ll often photograph the filtering shadows and sunlit patches cast by trees, inspired by the abstraction.
Trees are more than just a backdrop to nature, each one is like an ancient sculpture, intricately carved by the path of the sun, the weather, the wind and freak events that leave the trunks gnarled, bent and scarred. I dedicated several pages in the sketchbook to tree trunks, using pencil and ink to see how many different types of marks I could make, while suggesting the characteristics of different trees. It was a reminder that even experienced artists can benefit from revisiting the basics and focusing on details rather than the whole.
A lot of these sketches, quite unlike the thumbnail studies I do for my paintings, required focus and precision, so it was a great exercise in sharpening up my drawing and observations skills, which I often consider secondary to the way I handle paint.
As the week drew to a close, I had the opportunity to visit some other gardens. They might not be anything spectacular on this rather barren island of Malta – there are no true forests, no rivers, no mountains – but I was quite content to study up close what was in front of me. I was pleasantly surprised at the beauty and diversity that can be found even in a public garden with a few trees, a kiosk and bordered by thundering traffic and restaurants. Another joy of art: it can open your eyes and helps you to appreciate your surroundings in a way you perhaps wouldn’t otherwise.
For the last few days, I put my reference photos and outside explorations aside and attempted to sketch trees from memory. It was a challenging task, but the exercise served to reinforce the importance of observation. I have realised that by taking the time to truly see and understand the subjects in front of me, my memory sketches improved drastically.
My week of sketching and studying was a productive and insightful change of gear, and has proved invaluable as I plan and sketch out more paintings for the series. I encourage everyone, in whatever creative craft, to reconnect with the basic skills and breathe new live into your works.
Read more about the series:
Woodlands & Walks: week 1
Woodlands & Walks: series beginnings
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Joined by my little assistant!
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