Check and log - trees

How many different tree types have you drawn?   I have drawn more than a few different types of tree, but I am not sure of the names of the trees.  There were a range of varieties with different leaves and overall look.  The study I did of an individual whole tree is a common type of tree around my area. 

Some more studies :

 

What techniques did you use to distinguish each type?  I found I enjoyed drawing bare trees or bits of trunk and media such as charcoal really worked for these, However, I found foliage difficult.  I was influenced by the following image I came across of a small watercolour study of a Spruce Tree drawn by Dürer circa 1497.  It doesn't look too dissimilar to a tree in my garden that challenged me so much and I finally had to include in my final assignment work (it is on the right in the foreground).  I got from this image that if I could manage to establish the tonal contrasts  of the foliage and the general direction the branches and foliage were going - then by adding some detail at the extremes of the tree where the detail could be seen against the light or contrasting background - then I might have a chance of making the tree look like it does!  Obviously that is easier said than done and I can see it would require much practice and patience.

What did you do to convey the mass of foliage?  Focus on differences of tone and ensure that where the foliage was dense that less or no light could be seen through the branches.

How did you handle light on the trees?   Was it successful?  I would look to use colour and tone to depict light.  In my final picture I think I managed to convey the sense of light on the trees by highlighting with lighter shades of colour or even white.

Did you manage to select and simplify?  Look at your drawings and make notes on how you did this, and what you could do better? It got easier with practice to look at the subject of a tree and immediately see what it was about it that stood out.  I did the following quick sketch of a group of trees after many tree studies and really enjoyed it as it just stood out to me that I could quickly capture the different tones and get a sense of a group of trees.  I had more confidence.  I think the only way to do better is to keep drawing, experimenting and practising.