Inspirational Card

Old Tree

Is there anything lovelier than a grand old tree standing alone in a field of wild flowers on a mild summer day? I have a feeling that I'm going to be using this picture a lot, particularly for masculine cards.

When colouring this design, you will achieve a more realistic look by getting your shadows nice and dark around the foliage and the tree roots. Add some yellow highlights in the topmost branches where the sun would naturally hit the leaves, and don't forget a few subtle patches of red indicating new foliage. Don't worry too much about getting the colour very even, as the watercolour look really adds to the character of the design.

The inscription in this card reads:

The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit. - HENDERSON.