Dragon Tree

Capturing the Detail of a Dragon Tree: A Personal Discovery in Newcastle

It’s hard to believe that over a year has passed since my family and I moved to Newcastle. As I’ve settled into this new chapter, one of my favorite ways to get to know the city has been to wander around, exploring its streets, parks, and natural surroundings. For me, the best way to connect with a place is through its trees. They have a unique way of giving us a sense of identity and grounding us in the landscape.

While exploring the city one afternoon, I stumbled upon a tree that immediately struck me as something quintessentially Australian, yet it felt somewhat out of place in the best possible way. Intrigued, I stopped to sketch it and delve deeper into its story. To my surprise, I learned that the tree was a Dragon Tree, a species native to Africa.

It was a fascinating discovery, and in a way, I felt a connection with the tree. Like the Dragon Tree, I too had journeyed from Africa to make Newcastle my home. Both of us, though from different continents, now found ourselves adapting to new surroundings, still growing, and—hopefully—thriving in this vibrant, coastal city.

This tree, located in the heart of Newcastle’s Civic Park, has since become special to me. Every time I visit, I’m reminded of the journey we share, both of us carving out new roots in a place that feels, more and more, like home.

The Art of Drawing a Dragon Tree

As an artist, drawing this tree presented a technical challenge that I welcomed. The intricate details of the Dragon Tree's leaves, branches, and bark were a puzzle to solve. My approach was methodical: I wanted to capture the texture of the leaves in as much detail as possible, recreating their unique form and the way light played across their surfaces. There are no shortcuts in this kind of work. Every detail had to be observed, studied, and patiently translated onto paper.

The real challenge came from the textures. The gnarled branches, the smoothness of the stem, and the rich patterns in the bark all contributed to the depth of the drawing. These elements weren’t just aesthetic; they gave life to the piece, making the tree feel more real and present on the page. It was this texture—these subtle yet powerful details—that turned a simple sketch into something that, for me, truly captured the spirit of the Dragon Tree.

Drawing it wasn’t just about the technical process, though. It was also a personal journey, a reflection of how both the tree and I have adapted to our new environment. It’s a reminder that art, much like life, is about observation, patience, and growth.

Dragon Tree - Newcastle Civic Park