The Art of Botanical & Bird Illustration

Drawing a Branch

Once you’re comfortable drawing leaves, move on to branches. Choose a branch that is manageable, and gradually work into more complex branches. Plants wilt easily, so it’s a good idea to place the branch in water in a vase or flower tube and keep it in the fridge when you’re not working to keep it fresh. Once the branch is in position, consider thinning out clusters of leaves that are hard to “read.” I call this “artistic pruning.” Just be careful not disturb the basic characteristics of the plant.

Remember to draw the midrib first. This is very important to the continuity of the drawing.

Set up the branch for drawing. I’m ...