White Pines are one of my favourite trees.  They impress with their towering presence and dark rhythmic branches.  I take along a sketchbook whenever I’m out hiking and this particular tree caught my attention.

Later, I returned to the same location with my drawing board and a sheet of Terraskin measuring 16"x 20".  Terraskin is not paper, but rather a substrate composed of calcium carbonate and resin.  It has a much lower environmental footprint to manufacture and is both tear and water resistant.

I love the crisp line that comes from hatching with a hard pencil and I like to draw for extended periods without the tip becoming dull.  Terraskin’s smooth surface compliments that, but it goes on much darker than expected and gives the appearance of having been made with a B or 2B pencil.   That’s the magic.

 I was able to draw vigorously for several hours and complete the drawing without any sharpening.  It takes some effort to erase lines you aren’t happy with, so you don't have to worry about accidently smearing the drawing either.