[04] Today’s prompt is Bark! Bark!
Focus on the delicious textures of bark. Consider making a texture map.
This tree’s amazing peeling bark calls to me. Each tendril curling up like a little scroll of magic, slowly bending away from the cinnamon base and taking flight! This Strawberry Tree (also called Madrone & Arbutus unedo) is fairly new to the neighborhood; it’s small, but seems to be doing well. The more I look at tree bark, the more I notice that many trees have a slow twisting upward spiral, and the bark makes rivulets all up and down the tree. On this tree the spiral and peeling bark is pretty special. There are so many colors, and so many questions. Fun fact: This is the national tree of Italy.
Next time I’m totally going to make a texture map of those whorls and swales.
Learn more about this amazing tree:
Tutorial: MyNatureDiaries has a fun video of Tips For Drawing/Painting Trees and Bark in your Nature Journal
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.
