Park Hoog Oostduin – 14-09-22

Embracing Trees

This graphite pencil drawing Park Hoog Oostduin – 14-09-22 follows directly after Het Sterrenbos – 12-09-22. Suddenly I found myself embracing the love for drawing trees again. Must be Autumn approacing. Throughout the years I see patterns in my sketching activities. Spring and Autumn by far are the most present in my art works. Some in Summer but the heat can be not pleasant to work in. I also get used to leaves on trees quite quickly. Only to forget how beautiful they are quite rapidly when November arrives. Then they start falling off trees and I often realize I did too few sketching outdoors. Repentance comes after the sin and 4 drooly months will follow until Spring arrives. Here it is, my yearly nature sketching routine. Better make the best of Autum then this year.

Hidden Gem

In the beginning of August I went for a visit to my friend’s house and I came across this park I didn’t knew so well yet. I looked it up and I thought it was called Park Hoog Oostduin. That also could only be the seniors flat adjacent to the park though. I don’t know. I also saw the name Arendsdorp Park. Anyway, the creek I drew was close to the aforementioned flat. Sometimes we come across some hidden gems whilst planning to do a totally different thing. I had all my cooking supplies with me (it was my turn). However, I managed to capture the lovely light shimmering through trees and hurry myself to my culinary destination. Normally I don’t do these drawings after a rushed photo. I really have to feel the atmosphere for some time, even if I don’t do a drawing at the spot.

Keep the Impression

The photo turned out to be very dark. Still I saw enough light to capture the feel I had that day. When it comes to these kind of motifs I always face some serious risks. The trees and the scattered light through them and on top of the water can look very amorphous. Therefor I saw it as my task to bring some structure in the scene but also keep the impression. Otherwise a drawing can become too factual, full of thingies. Walking on the brink, so to speak. I also was anxious to see if I could create something similar to my drawing ‘De Horsten – 19-07-14’. The resolution of this Ingres paper is less than I used for that one. All-in all I must say I am not dissatisfied, even though I had to correct certain segments of leaves this morning. I guess you are never finished.

Pitt Graphite Matt pencil (Faber-Castell) drawing on Hahnenmühle paper (24 x 31 x 0.1 cm)

Artist: Corné Akkers