Nature's Art Lesson- Michelle Rodon

In this first image, it is immediately apparent to the viewer that the painter put an emphasis in using the strokes of his brush to created the texture of the leaves and indentations in the trees. Painting the green, leafy tree and the grey leafless tree within the same frame adds a nice balance to the image.

This painting clearly depicts the organic shape of the branch of a plum tree. The narrow shape of the canvas used for this piece creates a beautiful illusion as the tree branch flows up the image. The use of smooth strokes helps guide the eye of the viewer to capture the delicate essence of the piece.

This image strongly depicts the forms of trees by using the strong contrast between the black branches and the white background in order to emphasize each line. The use of negative space in the upper portion of the image causes the viewers eyes to focus solely on the branches. The rigid lines within the trees and the use of black and grey colors creates the eerie tone within this image.

This piece was crafted with black chalk and grey wash, allowing the viewers to see each stroke of the artists hand. In some areas of this piece the chalk is much darker, while in other areas it seems to have been lightly wiped across the page. The delicacy of these lines create the illusion that the leaves are in motion, as if trembling is a soft breeze. Due to the variance in strokes, the artist was able to create many different shadows and tones, which all together create the mesmerizing image of this oak tree.

This image is defined by its negative space. Without the lighter color peeping through the branches, the viewer would not be able to pick up on as many of the details that this piece has to offer. Although the colors in this piece are mostly light in value, the few areas that are darker make the piece stand out as a whole. The artist also portrayed an exquisitely grainy texture on each of the tree's trunks, allowing the viewer to imagine the roughness that the surface might hold in real life.

This detailed etching of an old oak tree is extremely detailed but still holds an essence of simplicity. The artist uses the tree to frame the image of the two travelers, and then frames the tree by putting the image into the shape of a circle. The repetition of the pattern on the trunk and throughout the leaves of this tree makes this image appealing to the eye of the viewer.

This black and white photograph exemplifies good use of positive and negative space. The tree is the only figure depicted in this image, which puts a lot of emphasis on its structure. The white fog creates a contrast that allows the viewer to fully focus on the organic shape of this tree.

This lithograph of an oak tree is extremely detailed and inhabits the viewer to almost see the shape of every leaf. The tree seems enormous in proportion to the small hills in the background of the image. The clarity of this image allows the viewer to see the majority of the branches running through the tree, representing the remarkable skeleton holding the tree together.

The organic lines used to form this tree make the tree seem as if it is alive with motion. The quick pen strokes and jagged lines draw in the eyes of the viewer. The artist used soft and delicate lines in the background to depict a cloud in the sky. The use of these soft lines, in comparison to the dark, ridged lines found in the tree, create a stunning contrast that compliments the texture of the tree without directing the viewers gaze elsewhere.