Drawing trees can be a rewarding and creative endeavor, but it requires a understanding of their basic anatomy and some key techniques to capture their natural beauty. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you improve your tree-drawing skills.
Starting with the Basics: Tree Anatomy
All trees consist of roots, a trunk, branches, and leaves. Begin by sketching the trunk, which is essentially a long cylinder. You can create a basic straight trunk by drawing two parallel lines, or add some irregularity with a V-shape or a crooked, squiggly line, ensuring the tree still grows upwards[3].
Shaping the Trunk
When drawing the trunk, remember that it is thicker at the base and tapers as it goes up. Avoid drawing a flat bottom unless the tree is on the horizon; instead, consider the foreshortening based on the horizon’s position. The higher the horizon, the more rounded the base of the trunk will be[2].
Adding Branches
Branches are crucial for the structure and appearance of the tree. Start with the main branches, which are thicker at the base and narrower towards the tips. These branches should generally grow upwards, although lower branches on larger trees may grow horizontally. For trees affected by wind, like in a seascape, the branches and even smaller twigs will lean in the direction of the wind[1][3].
Detailing Branches and Leaves
Once you have the main branches, add smaller branches splitting off from them. For deciduous trees, leaves can be indicated with squiggly lines drawn with the side of your pencil. Ensure there is no symmetry and each leaf is unique, especially for trees with big leaves like banana trees[1][2].
Texture and Bark
Adding texture to the trunk can make your tree look more realistic. Use vertical lines to define the shape of the trunk, and for more detail, add horizontal strokes for birch bark or irregular shapes for other types of bark. Each tree trunk has its own unique “personality,” so avoid uniform shapes[2][3].
Shading and Lighting
Shading is essential to give your tree depth and dimension. Shade the trunk using long straight lines, and consider the direction of the sunlight. For a more detailed look, add highlights to the middle of the trunk and branches, and use darker colors to refine the edges and create “eyes” or knots on the tree[1][3].
Additional Elements
To complete your tree, add roots if visible, and consider the surroundings such as grass, hills, or water. For a seascape tree, include elements like clouds, shaded water, and tall grass leaning in the wind’s direction[1].
Most Important Facts About Drawing Trees
Trunk Shape: Start with a long cylinder, thicker at the base and tapering upwards. Avoid a flat bottom unless on the horizon[2][3].
Branch Direction: Main branches grow upwards, with lower branches on larger trees growing horizontally. Smaller branches split off from the main ones[1][3].
Leaf Detail: Use squiggly lines for leaves, ensuring no symmetry and unique shapes for each leaf[1][2].
Texture and Bark: Use vertical and horizontal lines for bark texture, avoiding uniform shapes[2][3].
Shading and Lighting: Shade the trunk with long straight lines, add highlights to the middle of the trunk and branches, and use darker colors for edges and knots[1][3].
Surroundings: Include roots, grass, hills, or other environmental elements to complete the scene[1].
Wind and Horizon: Consider the direction of wind and the position of the horizon to accurately depict the tree’s shape and branches[1][2].
