Pines breathing underwater

28/6/2021

Pine trees by the lake in Bedford park. Chalk and charcoal today: 90 mins.

I felt I needed a change from sketching the garden in pencil.

I have just been given a tin of charcoal pencils made in China - of course. Combined with a pack of chalk from Poundland, and Daler-Rowney grey pastel paper, these tempted me to go and sketch under the shelter of a yew tree.

It's not an island, although it looks like it. These pines grow on a mound on the promontary by the edge of the lake. Beyond is an expanse of grass with a horizon of trees which border cemetery hill: the grey beyond the black.

The wind - and drizzle - stir the surface of the lake into patches of sky-bright and tree-dark ripples. The scene seemed to breathe as I drew it. Gulls and swans came and went. Ducks crossed the lake leaving silky lines in their wake. Can you spot two?

2 Comments

Donald

28/6/2021 14:29:26

Very nice. The composition, I think, is very picturesque; with the curving lakeside and my wake drawing me up and left, into the interesting corner there; then up into the pines - classic looking pines. Also, I like the mystery, the slightly more indistinct marks of the background elements, gives to these.

P.S. Oi! Where's my cut? and I am not sure I can see my friend...

simon

1/7/2021 03:20:29

Thanks, Donald. Yes, it's a popular view judging by how often I see people sitting on the bench I sat on to sketch this. The most visible duck is on the right, but there's meant to be another indicated behind, half-way to the pines and directly below the main pine trunk. It's only a speck of darkness, and the wake is a short line of chalk to its left. I agree, it's easy to miss - maybe that's the clever camouflage of duck on water?

Pines breathing underwater

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