When you look closely at the branches of a tree dressed in summer green and sketch them from inside the room through the window
Introduction
I think choosing this rental room was the right decision. Sketching outside under the scorching sun is, frankly, reckless. So, I look around to see if I can draw inside the room. Outside the window, there are several trees. The colorful green leaves are growing thick as if to say, 'Draw me.' I can see them from inside this room through the window and sketch them.
That is what I am talking about today.
Into the heat
I went out twice today. Early in the morning and after 3:00 PM. Once for shopping and once for a dental visit. Both times, I walked while finding and following the shade along the road. Both errands required crossing a bridge to the other side of the river. It might be better along the river because there is at least a breeze. When I think about it, most of my errands when I go out are on the other side of the river. Even for walks, I go back and forth across several bridges. I do less than half of my business on this side.
I have no choice but to cross one of the two bridges. If it is early in the morning, the shadows are long, and I can walk almost entirely in them to reach my destination. But that is not the case at midday. I realized halfway there that I should have applied UV cream. I am not doing what I always did when I was farming. Perhaps my sense of alertness is fading.
Drawing a picture
I cannot think of going outside in this scorching heat to sketch. Of course, I try to find a place to draw in the shade, but it does not work out that conveniently. The shade under trees or buildings is usually the opposite of where I want to draw. It is often the side with such shadows that becomes the subject of a painting. However, it is impossible to draw in the sunlight.
Perhaps it is better to avoid trying to draw as I please from June through the end of September. I never expected such high-temperature summers to come every year.
So
I have no choice but to look for something I can draw indoors. When I open the curtains, there are the trees bathed in the summer sun. I can draw them from inside the room through the window.
I am looking down slightly from the third floor, and the highest branch tips are just a little lower than me. I spend my time watching them every day. I set my sketchbook of a convenient size on the easel and decide on the positioning. I immediately start moving my 4B pencil.
When you keep watching
I am already entering my third season of living here. I have been looking down at those trees. In winter, they lose their leaves and become just branches. Sometimes even the twigs are covered in snow. In spring, they sprout fresh, lush leaves. And day by day, the green deepens. I want to paint every scene. Furthermore, the way they are dyed orange by the sunset is beautiful, and around the time the frost falls, the leaves turn yellow from being exposed to low temperatures. I am captivated by their appearance throughout the four seasons.
As I witness the annual life of the trees before my eyes and feel the passage of time, I truly think I was right to choose this place as my home.
Conclusion
If trees are blessed with a good location, they have a chance to live a longer life than humans. I wonder what kind of scenery these trees will look at in this part of the city in the future. This place was already vacant when I rented it. Occasionally, someone comes to manage this garden and does some work. I wonder how long I will be able to watch this scenery...
I sketch from inside the room while imagining various things. When I cleaned up my original house, I found several partially used sketchbooks. I probably bought them every time I restarted drawing. I find the remaining blank paper and draw the trees there.
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