…. is finding somewhere to sit. If you are going to draw an olive tree, the first thing to recognise is the fact that it is probably just one tree in a whole grove of them. This means that you will probably be tempted to sit on the roots of an adjacent tree close to your chosen objective. You will soon discover that this is not necessarily a good move, for reasons I leave to your imagination. I thought that I had the right idea when I discovered an abandoned crate placed in an ideal situation. This was just fine, but abandoned crates do carry with them the risk of splinters, which are probably more uncomfortable than the nobbles of the roots.
It was only after some experimentation that I remembered a previous experience many years ago, outside Dubrovnik, when I sat on the earth in order to draw. In olive groves, for some reason I have never fully grasped, the farmers hoe and rake the soil all around the trees. This means that the best place to sit from the point of view of comfort is actually on the ground. There is a problem in this strategy, however, in that it is probably “age-dependent”. Whereas I found it a straightforward thing to do when I was 45, it isn’t quite as easy when you are 80.
I did find a wonderful tree, with a conveniently-situated stone wall nearby which would have made a perfect place to sit …. apart from the fact that it was right in front of the window of the farm cottage, and I didn’t fancy pushing my luck.
So: if you do decide to take an expedition to draw olive trees, for heaven’s sake remember to take a collapsible canvas stool. Despite the ordeal, I did come back with two useful drawings, and several reference photographs, which could well be developed into something of a more permanent interest. Talk about “suffering for your art”, however ….!