Drawn by Nature


The first thing I have my students draw is a leaf. I have a variety of reasons for this first exercise one of which is that a leaf is a deceptively simple subject. Another reason is that everyone can produce a recognizable representation of a leaf.

I do not know enough (if anything) about the behavior of a decaying leaf or the effects of other species that feed on tree leaves to even guess at how the lines and colors were drawn in this Eastern Redbud Tree leaf. All I can do is wonder and enjoy the beautiful result.

On my walk this morning, I didn't notice the leaf but rather the drawing and color, thinking how very like the work of my drawing and watercolor friends and students.

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