Zooming In: Drawing Bark

with Ruth Broadbent

In this online guided-drawing exercise, we will use simple techniques to inspire a closer look at trees: zooming in to the details of the bark, looking for patterns and textures, and ways to engage with this through drawing.

Examples of tree bark will be included, but you can also use trees you encounter at home or elsewhere, from photos or from memory. Using basic drawing materials, we’ll create a series of bark squares that you can join together, or share online for a global grid and network of bark images using the hashtags #ZoomingInDrawingBark #UrbanTreeFestival.

Open to all ages and levels of experience, from beginners to those more experienced. If you don’t want to draw, you can create a collage, or use other media, including photography.

This is a companion video to 'Branching Out', created by Ruth Broadbent for the Urban Tree Festival 2020 and still available to watch on our YouTube channel.


TreeBarkImage1_RuthBroadbent_UTF2021_IMG_0035.jpeg
TreeBarkImage3_RuthBroadbent_UTF2021_IMG_0044.jpeg
TreeBarkImage4_RuthBroadbent_UTF2021_IMG_0037.jpeg

Contributor

RuthBroadbentArtistProfileImage.jpg

Ruth Broadbent is an artist and associate lecturer who specialises in drawing and sculpture, often combining the two. Her current work explores the extension of line in drawing sculpture, from imagined lines to walking and cycling tracks in the landscape. 

www.ruthbroadbent.com

If you’ve enjoyed these activities, please consider making a donation

Donations are essential to running the Urban Tree Festival and you can find out why here.

Donate