Drawing trees from above?

Question

I'm working on an animation background which involves a high angle shot of a forest. I searched on internet to hunt some references for the trees and other foliage from such an angle. I could only find real photos or fully rendered paintings and what I drew from those didn't seem right. So I went to my faculty for support, he asked me to keep hunting for references. Now after growing tired of looking through the same images I've come here to seek help. I'm looking for a link to a webpage that will have a tutorial for it or even a reference image of a drawing.Thank you!

Answer 1

This is a great question, and I appreciate your frustration. I prefer to take my own reference photos, but like you (probably), I don't own a small airplane that can fly me over a forest while I take pictures. My solution: think of something LIKE trees that can be used instead. How about broccoli? Use broccoli with stems as references. How to do this? Create a model of a few trees by attaching broccoli to a surface with a strong glue like E6000. Don't lose me, here. If you are going to be a serious artist/animator, you are going to need to get serious about references. Take control of your references, rather than rely on other people's images.

Use a flat surface like an art canvas board, piece of cardboard, or plywood. Apply glue to an entire stem of broccoli and stand it up on the surface like a tree. Do this for 3 or 4 stems of broccoli, and let the glue dry. Look at the broccoli from above - see it?

I'm afraid you are thinking that this is a crazy idea, but please...read on.

I am very, very serious. You probably wouldn't believe the things artists do to get great references. I work as a food illustrator, and I prepare the food I use for my illustrations, then I photograph them myself. That way, I am in control, I am not appropriating anyone else's work, and I get EXACTLY what I need.

A view of your broccoli "forest" from above will show you the foreshortening and perspective that you are looking for, and needing for an accurate animation.

Does it have to be broccoli? No, of course not. What else can you think of to create your own photo reference? I bet you can think of a few things.

Best of luck to you!

Letha