The compositional possibilites of a tree...or two..

When I started a few Pinterest boards 

to assist in teaching and studying

various aspects of painting and design,

I was surprised by popularity of trees 

as subject mattter.

https://www.pinterest.com/lesliesnider1/trees/

Of course, 

there are many equally fascinating subjects

but on a basic level

  the simplicity of the vertical (tree)

against the horizontal (horizon, terra ferma)

offers infinite possibilities.

‘Evening Snow at Edo River’

 1932 woodblock print 

by Hasui Kawase

We can even start at a  more basic level

by looking at a series of vertical lines on a flat surface.

Here the simple contrast of long/short, heavy /fine 

along an imaginary horizon line 

creates a sense of space.

Working within a picture frame illustrates

the relationship between line and space

or positive and negative 

and the importance of background space.

This is a simple exercise 

and a great way to loosen up. 

Finally as an example:

 my watercolour of a spring meadow.

It is the relationship of trees to the background 

that interested me in interpreting this subject.

Black and white illustrations 
from a long out of print book, 
"Form, Space and Vision" by Graham Collier