Exercise For The Grey Cells? by Fiona Phipps

The tree is a Birch tree, nothing unusual about the species but it was the roots, if they are roots, that caught my attention. It’s as if they have formed part way up the tree, unless it has been diseased at some point? Apologies for the quality of photo.

Brilliant mark making and pen work Fiona for a fascinating subject.

I can certainly see an eye watching me at the top. I really don’t know how you do this Fiona. How long has this taken? It’s first class.

Superb drawing Fiona.

Thank you John, not as creative as your own studies. Forgot to mention in my write up, I’ve used 2b, 4b, 6b pencils in a sketchbook. Thanks Marjorie. Yes, you’ve got the eye which there are more than one. I started it couple of days before Christmas and I’ve probably had three 1.5 sessions on it. Many thanks Stephen.

Fantastic observation Fiona. It really does have a life of its own.

Wow, so much going on - I can see: mice/skull, snake, an owl on a nest and much much more! Very good Fiona

It's fabulous Fiona. Such beautiful detail!

Fiona this is absolutely stunning, so beautifully done, trees do from roots further up the trunk and sometimes things we know as buttresses to stabilise themselves. It sound odd saying themselves as if they had a brain and thought about it but but,d wishing the genes etc is the ability if a tree is becoming unstable to start growing more roots etc . Tree are so fascinating and the mire your learn about them the more your realise how complex there life is .

Sorry the spelling checks went awry, should read with in the genes etc .

Very well observed Fiona. Like it

Amazing drawing Fiona- I’ve got five! Could look at this forever! Brilliant

I see someone popping a malteser, bottom left Fiona.

Absolutely superb Fiona, amazing detail, well done

What a great drawing Fiona.

Carole, Heather, Sarah, Paul, John, Rachel, George, Trevor, Denise……thank you all very much for looking and commenting. Heather, I’ve seen the mice and skull but I’ll be having a closer look for the snake and owl. There are 2 elephant heads, both bottom left and facing downwards, also a lamb head and body just below the eye. Make that 3 elephants, just spotted another one but in miniature. There is a hedgehog under the elephants trunk, on the left. There are a couple of knobbly knees as well, on closer inspection!

A beautiful drawing Fiona

Wonderfully detailed work Fiona. Of course our minds can imagine things in your mark making, I see a large lady (towards the top) with her arms folded and with an expression that says ‘what are you looking at’!

Wow, what patience and detail Fiona! Yes I can see some heffalumps and various other delights here including a deer’s head looking down on the left. 🤭

I can see why you were drawn to this. Excuse the pun. Superb work full of interest and spark for the imagination

Thanks very much Andrew, Frank, Tessa and Martin for you interest and observations. I’ve looked and looked but can’t see the lady Frank!

Great observational skills, brilli drawing.

Very well done Fiona ,you must have more patience than me.

Mick, Chris…..thank you both very much!

I love this subject and it’s beautifully drawn Fiona.

Wonderful detailing and super mark making.

My thanks Shaun and Spencer for taking the time to comment, appreciated.

Beautiful.

Thank you Ellen!

Great drawing Fiona and wonderful to explore.

Thank you Diane, it sent my eyes funny! 😂

Wonderfully drawn Fiona. Quite a scary tree.

Thanks very much Sandra…..yes there are a lot of faces in the bark.

Incredible drawing Fiona -you must have the patience of a saint! The more you look the more different things appear.

Did it make your eyes hurt Carol! It did mine…..😂…..thank you very much x

I’m so pleased you like it Cheryl, not a patch on your beautiful work. Thank you.