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Description
Done in about 1'5 hours. 2HB, 3B and 6B pencils. Scanned and retouched (light and contrast) with photoshop.

The above drawing shows one leaf of a Ginkgo biloba tree. Ginkgo biloba, or maidenhair tree, is renowned worldwide for its medicinal properties. This remarkable tree is known as a 'living fossil', as it is the sole survivor of an ancient group of trees that date back to beyond the time of the dinosaurs. The maidenhair tree remains virtually unchanged today and represents the only living bridge between 'higher' and 'lower' plants (between ferns and conifers). Trees reach up to 40 metres in height and older individuals tend to have a more spreading appearance with irregular branches. The deeply fissured, brown bark may appear cork-like in older individuals. Male and female trees are separate; male pollen is borne on catkin-like cones amongst the leaves whilst female ovules are more rounded. After fertilisation, yellowish seeds develop with a fleshy outer seed coat that resembles a plum in appearance. The characteristic greenish-yellow leaves are fan-shaped and composed of two or more distinct lobes; the Latin species name biloba refers to this fact. The common name of maidenhair tree pertains to the similarity of the leaves to those of maidenhair ferns (Adiantum spp.). In autumn, the leaves of the Ginkgo tree turn a beautiful golden hue before falling to the ground.

I have to thank the following intensive course, "Curso de dibujo Botanico, 2014", offered by Gijon's Atlantic Botanic Gardens these very days, and its teacher, Marta Chirino, who is one of the most renowned european botanical artists. This drawing was made during the course and could not have been done without those many lessons i learnt there. Thank you.

Description
Done in about 1'5 hours. 2HB, 3B and 6B pencils. Scanned and retouched (light and contrast) with photoshop.

The above drawing shows one leaf of a Ginkgo biloba tree. Ginkgo biloba, or maidenhair tree, is renowned worldwide for its medicinal properties. This remarkable tree is known as a 'living fossil', as it is the sole survivor of an ancient group of trees that date back to beyond the time of the dinosaurs. The maidenhair tree remains virtually unchanged today and represents the only living bridge between 'higher' and 'lower' plants (between ferns and conifers). Trees reach up to 40 metres in height and older individuals tend to have a more spreading appearance with irregular branches. The deeply fissured, brown bark may appear cork-like in older individuals. Male and female trees are separate; male pollen is borne on catkin-like cones amongst the leaves whilst female ovules are more rounded. After fertilisation, yellowish seeds develop with a fleshy outer seed coat that resembles a plum in appearance. The characteristic greenish-yellow leaves are fan-shaped and composed of two or more distinct lobes; the Latin species name biloba refers to this fact. The common name of maidenhair tree pertains to the similarity of the leaves to those of maidenhair ferns (Adiantum spp.). In autumn, the leaves of the Ginkgo tree turn a beautiful golden hue before falling to the ground.

I have to thank the following intensive course, "Curso de dibujo Botanico, 2014", offered by Gijon's Atlantic Botanic Gardens these very days, and its teacher, Marta Chirino, who is one of the most renowned european botanical artists. This drawing was made during the course and could not have been done without those many lessons i learnt there. Thank you.