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08 August 2003

Making Field Sketches

by Anna Hillier

Field sketches are just simply quick drawings done in the field. Most often in an uncultivated area where plants are allowed to go to seed. Some artistic qualities are desired in a person.

Advantages include inexpensive equipment:

• One 4 by 6-inch notepad.
• One pencil ( hard with a fine point)
• Extra pencil as a back up.
• These items are lightweight and easy to carry.

Sketches are two-dimensional and are not meant to be beautiful, just recognizable for identification. They are representative of what is found on a walk at your favorite outdoor area. Autumn is a good time for recording seeds.

 

Study of grass seeds. Ink and graphite drawing by Anna Hillier. Click image to enlarge.

Try some large specimens to start your drawing. Near ponds, Milk weed and cattails are prevalent and large grasses grow to 4 or 5 feet. Pick one plant and visit every day at the same time. Record temperature, date of drawing and at the top record the name. You may want to try drawing small seeds and grasses as you become more proficient. Bring home a small specimen about 10 inches in length. Place dark seeds or specimen on light colored construction paper, white seeds or light colored specimens on dark paper. Small seeds require patience and a magnifying lens to pick out the detail. Here is where you can try working with pen and ink.

Equipment:

• One pen 0.5-mm point prefilled with India ink.
• Background paper
• Tweezers
• Magnifying lens

  Cattail and milkweed seed heads. Ink and graphite drawing by Anna Hillier. Click image to enlarge.

Tips: Make your drawing as large as you need to have it; life size or larger when working on small specimens. Smaller than life size when working on large specimens. PRACTICE.

Pictures speak louder than words. Poster presentations are actually my favorite types of communication.