In these recent sketches of an old eucalypt tree, I tried to suggest the 3D form of the branches, and the colours and textures of the trunk. These are the most common trees that occur in my landscapes so are familiar. With many hundreds in the species there are endless variations, but they are all evergreen and most have a high canopy of open foliage. Edges are important to define the shape of the bunches of foliage and the open sky spaces between, that are a feature of these trees. Leaves hang vertically to avoid the hot sun and to conserve moisture. Trunks can develop interesting colours and textures and bark can be very smooth or very rough and can also be shed in long strips. This old tree has developed a growth at the base of the trunk called a burl, that can be removed from the tree. Small burls are favoured by wood turners for making bowls because of the variety of unusual colours and textures inherent in the wood. I normally use variations of raw umber and cobalt blue to suggest the grey/green foliage of eucalypts.

Addition:

These bowls were made by my husband from various eucalypt burls that were cut by a craftsman from the outer surface of the trunk without causing damage to the tree. Each bowl is unique in its colour and texture.