[12] Today’s prompt is Twig Drawing
Draw trees, leaves, and branches using a twig as a paintbrush/pen.

Gettin’ gestural and loose with some twig action! Meet the Entree, who is YAJM (Yet Another Japanese Maple) living a few doors down from the Eastree. About 8 months ago a small branch got caught in the canopy (squirrels?!?!) and has languished there all winter. I reached up with an extension grabber and retrieved it, and tah-dah, painting tools! I really loved this activity: the loose lines, the lack of control, the unpredictable natural feel…and the meta-nature of painting a tree with a twig from the tree. So fun.

• Learn more about YAJM: Japanese Maple ~ Acer palmatum

Inspiration: Cathy has put together a wonderful tutorial on Drawing Trees with Twigs and Ink, so be sure to check it out!

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About the #ArborApril challenge

Join the month of drawing and journaling trees!

#ArborApril2025 is a combo challenge with #NatureJournalingApril, a month-long sketching & journaling challenge hosted by Cathy Raingarden, Kate Rutter, and the Wild Wonder Foundation. Each day in April, create a page in your sketchbook or nature journal based on the daily prompt from the prompt list. If you post on social media, use hashtags #ArborApril2025 and #NatureJournalingApril.

Posts & prompts will be on online at Instagram, Wonderland, Substack & Bluesky.