Tree of Memory

Tools:
Brause no. 361 pen nib
Dr. Ph. Martin's Black Star hicarb ink

5" x 7" on Bristol Vellum

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Can you tell I'm experimenting with hatching techniques?

I sort of like the way the roots dig into the surface.

Despite the apparent complexity, it didn't take very long to make. Started with a faint pencil outline, but left most of the detail to be filled in at the inking stage.

As usual, I learned a lot about pen control, patience, consistency, and black-white balance.

The idea is that the heavy black ink in the bottom-left is offset by the black branches in the top-right, while the lighter stonework in the bottom-right is balanced by the lighter branches in the top-left, and so on.

At least, that's the theory behind it.

I had originally penciled in a background, but left it white for better contrast.