A windswept bonsai

A study of a bonsai with a twisted trunk, layered needle foliage, exposed roots, and a shallow pot on textured paper. Establish the lean of the trunk, root base and shallow pot in perspective.

A way into the drawing

1. Establish the construction

   Establish the lean of the trunk, root base and shallow pot in perspective.

2. Resolve the main structure

   Branch outward from the trunk with diminishing thickness and arrange foliage pads.

3. Develop the detail

   Carve negative spaces between the pads and follow the trunk with bark marks.

4. Control the values

   Build foliage values in groups and deepen the root and pot shadows.

A small thing to tryTrace each main branch back to the trunk before filling its foliage.