Winter trees by Carol Hitchman

Hey Carol, you're getting the hang of tones, wish I could pick it up as well. May I also say your tree's are excellent, love the twiggy parts.

Carole this is really lovely :-) really lovely trees :-)

Thank you Rebecca & Fiona for your comments. I certainly enjoyed doing this one but I feel I need much more practice on the trees -I'm not sure what brush is best for getting the twiggy bits right -I did struggle with this.

For the finer bits in trees I use a rigger size 0 and I usually hold it right at the end. Take a deep breath and close my eyes.....hope for the best. Takes a bit of practice, I'm still practicing!!Lol.

Thank you for that tip Fiona about using a size O rigger for the twiggy bits. Daft question -when you say "hold it right at the end" do you mean the hair end or furthest from the hairs. I've noticed when I've used riggers in the past I don't seem to have the control I would like.

Fiona -forgot to say I'm hoping to try your advice later today so will probably find my own answer.

Sorry Carol just read your comment. I'm probably too late. I mean the furherest away from the bristle end. I find the marks I make holding it this way are less rigid and stiff. If you don't want perfection (you will have noticed that I'm a messy painter, no straight lines as such) it works but if you are a slave to detail and twigs looking like twigs it probably won't work. I move my whole arm too not just my wrist, and flick. It's hard to explain. Sorry. Good luck anyway Carol!

Thanks Fiona- no you weren't too late with your advice. I've not had a go yet. Will try and see what happens.