Here is a quick, about 30 minutes, ball point pen sketch I did over the weekend. I should have taken a picture though, becuase the place is 2 hours away and now I won’t be able to finish it.
I was trying to get some texture going on in the bark.
You have just given me a perfect example to prove my point. Although your drawings is not technically perfect, it shows a humanity that probably cannot be duplicated by anyone else. It’s you and you only, not the CG critic’s view of what he or she sees or their way of making it like everyone else. That is why this drawing is “art” and not drafting. Yes, you can probably work on shading, lighting, depth etc…blablablablabla. But I like it the way it is, it’s human. If it was perfect, and it looked like a photograph, I would be honest and tell you it was boring. 
I like you cree. You stick to your guns! 
I have a feeling that we sort of somehow agree with each other and are still managing to argue.
I agree that “technical perfection” is not the goal of most art (although the appearance of this may be the case in some special effects).
I don’t think that criticism has anything to do with attempting to reach “technical perfection”, but it can have a lot to do with growth.
Like you just said, the sketch could use work on shading, lighting, depth, etc, etc… and that was why I drew it. To try and improve through practice. And that was why I posted it here, so people could give me ideas on how to achieve better results. Will that make it less human? I think not. For example, this sketch is much more technically correct than the ones I did 15 years ago, but it is still human, as you say, and likely you would even agree that it was better.
To everybody else -
In particular I would like suggestions on how to texture the bark using just pen. Any ideas?
Good point. I really can’t tell you how to improve on the bark with a pen. In my opinion, without false flattery, I honestly like the way you have it now. Like i said it’s unique.
I can help you out with the bark, but give me a minute to create some example drawings. 
Cree -
Thanks! BTW - what art school are you / did you go to? Are you going to try an get a job in the field, do you already have one, or do you have other things planned? Just curious.
Modron -
Thanks! I’ll be waiting.
I also think the dirt area is kind of lame. Anyone have any ideas there? The criss-cross lines kind of succeed in providing some topography, but do little to present the texture of the dirt. That was all I could come up with though.
ok here’s a bark diagram,…hope this helps.
I went to California Institute of the Arts btw, but we didn’t have any courses in drawing or painting. It was all on a conceptual level. Fairly non typical, but really, art is not just about drawing and painting, which is what they were trying to beat into our heads.
I have had a number of jobs making art. Illustration, cartooning, conceptual. Lots of different stuff. At the moment I am working on a book cover.
Modron -
The problem I was having was that the sketch is small and fairly simplistic, whereas the bark was rather intricate - as nature often is. I was trying to figure out how to distill it onto paper. Thanks for the diagram. I will have to give it a try on the next one.
I agree. A guy on a photography forum once told me that the trick to being a good photographer is to be able to “see the light”.
I think the same is true with drawing. The main trick is to SEE. Thanks for the tip on how to put what I saw down on paper. I think the “line wrapping” part would have especially helped.
Wow nuance9, I really like this sketch. It reminds me a bit of traditional Japanese artwork.
Very nice.
Thanks.
Actually these positive comments are kind of making me mad. Not at the commentors, but at myself. I should have taken a stupid reference picture to finish it up later. I had the camera with me and everything.
I would try to finish it up from memory, but unfortunately I am too anal and wouldn’t be able to do it because I would know that the branches weren’t in the right spot! ;)1
Oh well. I guess that is a lesson learned for another day.
My professor said “use your artistic license”, in other words, improvise. People can comment and help you out, but in the end, you’re the judge, and you 'll learn more if you try things out on your own.
BTW, I took art as an elective course, I was a geography major. I also studied horticulture in the early 90’s and robotics in the early 80’s. I am unemployed right now, I’m working on a 3d music video (unpaid for fun), learning claymation (Modron was very helpful with info and tips), but I’m contemplating doing a post- graduate masters degree in Geography or international affairs, if I don’t find paid work soon. I’d rather do art in some form or another though, it’s more fun. How about you? I’m curious as well. Cheers
No college for me. I went to a Vocational High School and focused on precision machining. I started getting job offers, and realized I really didn’t want to work in a factory / manufacturing environment. So I did other odd jobs, including occasional freelance graphic design stuff. About 4 years ago I got hired by a software company doing web design / development for them. Still doing the same thing, but for a different company now. What the future holds? Only time will tell.
I did machining in the 1980’s after I took the robotics course. Didn’t like almost losing my fingers and getting nasty cuts. Anyways, I hope things work out for you. Good luck. Thanks for replying.