Im posting in here hoping someone with mikes book could answer. In his book does he teach you how to fake details on trees bushes and maybe even grass. Id like to learn how to do this if possible. I know about indenting the paper and creating sort of a negative drawing for grass but i was hoping for something more then that because I dont see myself using that technique very much. So if he has any other secret techniques to fake details it would be appreciated.

I can't tell you how to do what you are talking about but one thing I learned with painting (airbrush) is that your detail should fade the father you go back from the front of the subject. for instance in a tiger the nose mouth eyes and face would have great detail bu the side of the face and the back/top of the head would have much less.. maybe a few hairs in sharp contrast to make your brain think all the fur is sharp and detailed. Hope that was helpful.. but I fear not..

Drymedia I suggest you check out Mike's website http://www.sibleyfineart.com/tutorial--draw-grass.htm

Thanks for the tips guys.

Hi Drymedia: An additional resource that you might like is a book by Lee Hammond, "Lifelike Drawing." In it she teaches and demonstrates on multiple daily life objects, including trees, trunks, grass, etc. I was turned on to this by one of the members here and it has been invaluable as a drawing resource. Hope it helps - I purchased it through Amazon.

Hi Drymedia,
I took one of Mikes courses last summer and wondered the same myself, there is no faking details. Mike draws ALL the detail in every part of his work and then pulls it back by lightly wiping his putty eraser over the desired area thus forcing it into the background whilst maintaining most of the detail. It is a very painstaking method but I can say having applied the technique to some of my drawings, i found it very affective. Mike works in very small increments building up the finished picture slowly and methodically, using this method you turn one big daunting piece of work into several smaller more manageable, and more satisfying pieces.
I hope this helps. Take one of his workshops its well worth it.