Creating Tree Bark

I set out to create a bark texture, to use as a sample piece for using in my sculpture 'Dryad'. I started by taking photographs of different tree barks and deciding what type of bark I wanted to sculpt, and then watching different tutorials on different ways of texturing. I used these as a starting point, practising making different textures using plasticine. I was then ready to start my piece.

Sculpting the bark

I wanted to use a cheap material that I had on hand, so I used fine surface filler on a plastic backing. I hoped it would suffice for a test piece. I then started sculpting, aiming to replicate the form and texture of bark. The filler was a little gooey so I had to wait until it was almost dry before adding the finer textures.

To create the texture I used a selection of clay sculpting tools to create the overall form and larger grooves. I played around with differett ways of using the tools I had on hand, there is no right way or perfect tool just keep experimenting until you are happy. Next I went over with a wire brush to create many small lines on the surface, working into this further with a sharp pointed tool.

Unpainted bark texture

Painting the bark

After allowing the filler to dry and coating it in a layer of PVA, I set about painting. I started with a reddy brown colour as a base and then dry-brushed a few colours over the top. This helped add to the realism, however I felt it was still lacking in depth.

First layers of paint

I used my reference pictures to look at colour schemes, adding more variety of colours. I was particuarly interested in lichens, which add a bigger range of colours and contrast to the bark.

Painted bark texture

Adding extra texture

I found this to be a vast improvement, however this time it was not colour, but texture that was lacking. there is only so much realism you can gain in painting lichen and moss onto a wood texture. I considered how I could solve this. I tried out three different materials. I used more filler, stabbing it with the end of a paint brush to create patches of texture, I thought this worked well. I also used the two different parts of a sponge, dipped in paint, to create a moss effect. This was overdone so I ended up tearing some of it off, the glue ensuring some remained.

Final bark texture with moss and lichen

Reflections

This was my final result, even though I was happy with it there are still improvements to be made:

1) I want to look into something that is more realistic and hopefully faster to apply than the sponge. This could be a handmade method, a product, or real moss. I intend to research all three of these possibilities to see if they could improve the outcome.

2) The bark texture itself could be improved, by further study from real bark, and using a better sculpting material which would pick up more texture.

This was an enjoyable process, which took me a day to do. I plan to incorporate this technique into sculpture next, hopefully speeding up and improving as I go.