Sketchbook: Trying to Follow a Tree
+ Some examples of artists drawing the same thing over and over
I’m in the process of compiling a load of sketchbook pieces from the last 5 years for this newsletter. In the meantime, I have a couple of drawings of the view from my window:
When I was about 11 I saw Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series (a couple of them) in the Musee D’Orsay and I think my brain must have been particularly sticky because the idea of drawing something over and over again to see how it changes really lodged itself in my mind. Another household name type example of an artist depicting the same subject over and over is Hokusai’s 36 views of Mount Fuji (I saw them recently!) but that set of prints all depict Mount Fuji from vastly different vantage points and often the mountain is a bonus in an image that often becomes famous for a different subject in it 🌊. I haven’t quite found something fixed that I can move myself around as I draw it the way Hokusai found Mount Fuji but I continue to search!
All this fuss to show you 4 measly sketchbook drawings phew. I was trying to catch this tree in all seasons. Late Summer - Fall this year was such a rush that I don’t think I even looked out the window to take note of how it looked in transition (let alone draw it) and the next thing I knew the branches were quickly losing leaves. Here are some of the drawings anyway and I will update you with more soon! I’m determined to catch it coming back to life next spring.
Until next time! I promise to return with some drawings of how YELLOW this tree turns in the autumn and I look forward to showing you some old work (cringe)
(Bonus: Hiroshige also did a ‘36 views of M. Fuji’, I’ve always loved his deep deep blues and rich reds and I’m certain you will too!)