how to doodle

A TREE
In your own way, for your own wellbeing

Ali Foxon

www.boggydoodles.com
Why Doodle trees?
Whether you're up in the hills, or stuck in the city, you're never very far from a tree.
And yet how often do you even notice them? When did you last pause and admire
one? The truth is most of us take trees for granted. Unless they're covered in
blossom or we're actively seeking shade, they tend to blend into the background of
our busy lives. Often we only appreciate them when they're gone, after they've been
blown or chopped down. Yet they offer such enormous benefits for our health,
wellbeing, wildlife and environment. The least we can do is give them a little more of
our attention.

That's why I've created this green sketching activity booklet to help you get to know
the trees in your life a little better. The activities are deceptively simple but will
change how you see and think about trees. They're suitable for all ages and abilities
so please don't worry about whether or not you can draw; instead, try to focus on
the process of sketching; what it helps you see and how it makes you feel.

Pick and choose which activities you want to do and take as long as you like — a
couple of minutes or a leisurely hour. You'll need something to doodle with. It doesn't
matter whether it's a pencil, biro, colouring-in pens or watercolours. Whatever you
use, you'll find green sketching is a wonderful way to relax, lift your spirits and
quieten an anxious, busy mind. Given the uncertain and extraordinary times we're
living in, there's never been a better time to go for a walk and doodle in the woods.

Happy Doodling!

Copyright Ali Foxon 2020 1

 What does a tree looks like?
This might seem a ridiculous question but it's easy to overlook the power of
observation and assume we know exactly what something looks like. But do we
really? Before you go and find a real tree to sketch, have a go at sketching one
from memory in the box below.

This is an important step, so please don't skip it!

Copyright Ali Foxon 2020 2

Straight, brown and sticky?
Now let's go and find some real trees. We'll start small and simple by sketching a
twig (if you can find wonder in a twig, you can find it anywhere!). Find one you
like and sketch it in the box below.  

Was there anything at all special about your particular twig? In a twig
competition, what prize might it win?

wonky wiggly trunks

When we think of trees, we nearly always think of them as having straight trunks,
but the more we look the more we see how straight trunks are the exception not
the rule. Go for a walk and locate three different shaped tree trunks (tip: hawthorn
trunks are particularly wonky). Sketch them in the boxes above.

Copyright Ali Foxon 2020 3

discover a hidden world
Trees are home to an incredible variety of moss
and lichen. See what you can find and sketch
anything unusual or interesting here.

Notice how quickly you stop worrying when

you focus your attention on such a tiny magical
world.

get back to your roots

Find an old tree with exposed roots and try to doodle them here. Notice how they
twist and overlap. The more you look at them the more fascinating they appear.
Did you know Van Gogh spent his final day of work painting tree roots?

Copyright Ali Foxon 2020 4

doodle time
Green sketching is a great way to relax. It can help you slow down and even change
how you perceive time. Try this exercise if you're craving some calm. Find a tree stump
with clearly visible tree rings. Notice how they change in width and colour and aren't
completely symmetrical. Tree rings are an incredible source of environmental data but
you don't have to be a dendrochronologist to find them fascinating. You can try to
count them and estimate the age of the tree, or you can just enjoy their beauty.

Use the guidelines below to help you sketch what you see.

Copyright Ali Foxon 2020 5

Leaf bingo
Find and sketch examples of the following tree leaves (you're never too old to play!).

Spiky edge Heart-shaped Long and elegant

Very veiny Curly wurly

Small and needly A group of friends Missing a bit

Copyright Ali Foxon 2020 6

Trees in the distance
Take a step back and sketch a row of trees in the distance. Notice what shape
they appear as they hug the horizon or hide behind a hedge. Try to sketch what
you see, not what you know to be there.

Beyond brown
Tree trunks are always brown. Or are they? Go on a trunk hunt and see what
colours you find. If you've access to colour pens or pencils, use the little boxes to
record what you find. Otherwise just write the colours down.

Copyright Ali Foxon 2020 7

bark patterns
Few of us pay attention to bark in our everyday lives but it's a huge source of
pattern inspiration for artists and designers. See how many different types of
bark you can find and sketch and then create your own pattern library in the
boxes below. Do you have a favourite?

light and shade

Spend a few minutes on a sunny day observing the shadows cast by trees on the
ground. It's easiest if you do this from a reasonable distance, rather than up
close. Observe the shape and colour of the shadows and try to sketch a few
examples in the box below.

Copyright Ali Foxon 2020 8

create a favourite tree
Find a tree that catches your eye and sketch it four different ways in the boxes
below. You could experiment with different pens and pencils, or try using lines,
squiggles, dots and shading. You could try using one, two, three and four
colours, or if you're feeling patient, why not try one sketch every season?

Whatever you decide, make sure you look at your tree really carefully before
you start each sketch. Don't worry about making your sketches look 'right' just
be curious about what each one reveals. Which sketch did you enjoy the most?

Copyright Ali Foxon 2020 9

Litte treasures
Use these boxes to sketch any treasures you find while you're out: berries, fruit,
the perfect blossom, a shiny conker, catkins, pinecorns, acorns and buds. Feel
free to sketch beyond the trees, and include any birds, animals, fungi or flowers
you spot nearby.

Copyright Ali Foxon 2020 10

What Next?
How do you feel after doodling your trees? Have you compared your observational
sketches with the tree you drew from memory on page 2. How do they differ? What did
you notice for the first time? Hopefully your doodles will have helped you see and
appreciate the trees in your life with fresh eyes.

If you're inspired to look after our beautiful trees and woodland, I recommend visiting
the Woodland Trust's website: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk where you'll find loads of
useful resources and advice.

There's absolutely no need to share your tree doodles but if you want to, you can use
the  Instagram hashtags #greensketching. Or you can email me at
ali@boggydoodles.com. I'd love to know how you got on with the activities.

In the meantime, visit www.boggydoodles.com if you'd like to find out more about
'green sketching' and how it can help you relax and find more joy in your life.

See Sketch Enjoy Connect

www.boggydoodles.com

Copyright Ali Foxon 2020 11