How to Draw a Simple Tree: Easy Steps for Beginners!

Ever looked at a beautiful illustration and thought, “I wish I could draw a tree like that”? Many beginners feel intimidated by drawing natural elements, seeing them as complex and unpredictable. But the truth is, with a few simple techniques, you can master the art of drawing a basic tree in no time!

You don’t need to be a seasoned artist to bring a tree to life on paper. We’re going to break down the process into manageable steps, focusing on fundamental shapes and lines. Whether you’re sketching for a school project, a personal hobby, or just want to add a touch of nature to your artwork, this guide is for you.

Get ready to discover how surprisingly easy it is to create your own charming tree. Let’s grab our pencils and get started on this fun, creative journey!

Mastering the Basics: How to Draw a Simple Tree Step-by-Step

Drawing a tree might seem daunting at first glance. Think about the intricate branches, the textured bark, the varied shapes of leaves. However, just like any other complex subject, a tree can be broken down into simpler, more manageable components. We’ll start with the most fundamental shapes and gradually add detail, transforming a basic outline into a recognizable and pleasing tree.

This guide is designed for absolute beginners, so don’t worry if you’ve never picked up a pencil with artistic intent before. We’ll focus on creating a classic, deciduous tree, often referred to as an oak or maple, which provides a fantastic foundation for understanding tree drawing principles. Once you’ve mastered this, you’ll find it much easier to adapt these techniques to other tree types.

Step 1: The Foundation – Trunk and Main Branches

Every tree begins with its core structure: the trunk and its primary branches. This is where we establish the tree’s overall size and posture. For a simple tree, we’ll aim for a sturdy, upright trunk. (See Also: how to decorate a christmas tree)

1. Start with a basic shape: On your paper, draw two slightly curved, vertical lines that are wider apart at the bottom and taper slightly towards the top. These lines represent the main trunk of your tree. Don’t make them perfectly straight; a little organic curve adds realism.
2. Add the ground line: Draw a horizontal line at the bottom where the trunk meets the ground. This anchors your tree and gives it a sense of place.
3. Sketch the main branches: From the top of the trunk, draw a few thicker, diagonal lines extending outwards. These are your main, large branches. Think about how branches naturally grow – they usually spread out and upwards. Again, avoid perfectly straight lines; slight curves are more natural. Aim for 2-4 main branches to start.
4. Connect the branches: Slightly round off the points where the branches connect to the trunk. This makes the connection look more organic and less like separate pieces glued together.

At this stage, your tree should look a bit like a capital ‘Y’ with a thick base. This is exactly what we want! It’s the skeleton of your tree.

Step 2: Building the Canopy – the Crown

The crown of the tree is where the foliage will be. For a simple tree, we’ll create a general shape that suggests leaves without drawing each one individually. This is a key technique for beginners to avoid getting bogged down in detail.

1. Outline the general shape: Around the top of your main branches, draw a large, irregular, bumpy outline. Think of it as a cloud or a fluffy shape. This outline defines the outer edge of your tree’s foliage.
2. Vary the shape: Don’t make the outline perfectly round or symmetrical. Trees have natural variations. Add some inward curves and outward bulges to make it look more organic. Imagine a slightly lopsided marshmallow or a cumulus cloud.
3. Connect to branches: Ensure the outline connects smoothly to the ends of your main branches. This makes it look like the leaves are growing out of the branches.

You should now have a basic tree shape with a trunk, branches, and a cloudy outline for the leaves. It’s starting to look like a tree!

Step 3: Adding Texture and Detail – Bark and Leaf Clusters

Now we’ll add some character to our tree, focusing on making the trunk and canopy look more realistic and less like flat shapes.

Adding Bark Texture to the Trunk:

1. Vertical lines: On the trunk, lightly draw a few vertical, wiggly lines. These don’t need to be perfectly spaced or straight. They represent the natural grain and texture of tree bark.
2. Slight shading: You can add a very light shade to one side of the trunk to suggest a light source. This will give it a bit of dimension. Imagine light hitting the tree from the left, so you’d shade the right side lightly.
3. Knotty bits: You can add a few small, irregular oval shapes on the trunk to suggest knots or bumps.

Suggesting Leaf Clusters in the Canopy:

1. Break up the outline: Within the large cloud-like outline of your canopy, draw a few smaller, irregular shapes. These represent clumps or clusters of leaves.
2. Vary the shapes and sizes: Make these inner shapes different sizes and slightly overlapping. This creates a sense of depth and density.
3. Use light, sketchy lines: Keep these lines light and loose. We’re not drawing individual leaves, but rather suggesting their presence.
4. Add some texture: You can add a few quick, curved lines within these clusters to give them a leafy texture.

By adding these simple textures, your tree will begin to feel more alive and three-dimensional. (See Also: how to draw christmas tree)

Step 4: Refining the Shape and Adding Roots

Let’s polish up the overall form and give our tree a solid footing.

1. Refine the canopy edges: Look at your canopy outline. Are there any parts that look too smooth or too sharp? Gently refine these edges with your pencil, adding more subtle bumps and curves. You can also erase any stray lines that went too far.
2. Add smaller branches: From the main branches, you can sketch out a few thinner, more delicate lines that extend towards the canopy outline. These represent smaller branches and twigs. Don’t overdo it; a few well-placed ones are enough.
3. Draw the roots: At the base of the trunk, where it meets the ground line, draw a few thick, irregular shapes that spread out along the ground. These are the roots. They can be simple curves or bumpy forms that anchor the tree firmly. Some roots can even be slightly visible above the ground.

Your tree is really coming together now!

Step 5: Shading for Dimension

Shading is crucial for making any drawing look more realistic. For our simple tree, we’ll focus on basic shading to give it depth and form.

1. Identify your light source: Decide where the light is coming from. This is usually from one direction (e.g., top-left, top-right, directly above).
2. Shade the trunk: If the light is from the left, the right side of the trunk will be darker. Use your pencil to apply light, even shading on the shaded side of the trunk. You can also shade slightly under the main branches where they meet the trunk, creating a subtle shadow.
3. Shade the canopy: The canopy will have areas that are directly hit by light and areas that are in shadow. The underside of the canopy and the areas where leaf clusters overlap will be darker.
4. Use varying pressure: Apply lighter pressure for areas in direct light and firmer pressure for areas in shadow. You can also use short, sketchy strokes to suggest the texture of leaves in the darker areas.
5. Add a shadow on the ground: A shadow cast by the tree on the ground will further anchor it and make it look more grounded. Draw an irregular shape extending from the base of the tree, away from your light source. Shade this area lightly.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with your shading. The goal is to create contrast between light and dark areas, making your tree pop off the page.

Variations and Next Steps: Exploring Different Tree Types

Once you’re comfortable with drawing this simple deciduous tree, you can start to explore variations and different types of trees. The principles of breaking down complex shapes into simpler ones, establishing a core structure, and adding texture remain the same. (See Also: how many magic tree house books are there)

Pine Trees (conifers):

• Shape: Pine trees are typically conical or triangular.
• Trunk: A single, straight trunk.
• Foliage: Instead of clumps, draw layers of triangular or V-shaped “branches” that extend downwards from the main trunk. You can add texture with short, spiky lines to represent needles.
• Steps: Start with a triangle for the overall shape, then add a trunk. Draw horizontal lines for branch “levels” and fill them in with spiky textures.

Willow Trees:

• Shape: Often have a weeping or cascading form.
• Trunk: Can be thicker and more gnarled.
• Foliage: Long, drooping branches with thin, elongated leaf shapes.
• Steps: Draw a sturdy trunk, then add long, curved branches that hang down. Sketch thin, wispy lines for the leaves.

Palm Trees:

• Shape: Tall, slender trunk with a crown of fronds at the top.
• Trunk: Often textured with rings or diamond-like patterns.
• Foliage: Large, fan-shaped or feather-like fronds.
• Steps: Draw a tall, straight trunk. At the top, draw a cluster of large, radiating fronds.

Tips for Making Your Trees More Interesting

• Vary the trunk thickness and shape: Not all trees have perfectly straight trunks. Some are thicker at the base, some are gnarled, some are bent.
• Add imperfections: Real trees aren’t perfect. A broken branch, a hollow in the trunk, or uneven growth can add character.
• Consider the environment: Where does your tree grow? A tree on a windy hill might lean, while a tree in a dense forest might have a straighter, taller trunk.
• Experiment with different leaf textures: For broader leaves, use softer, rounded shapes. For more dense foliage, use overlapping scribbles.
• Use different drawing tools: A fine-liner pen can give sharp, detailed lines, while charcoal can create soft, smudged textures.

Remember, practice is key. The more you draw trees, the more confident you’ll become in your ability to capture their essence. Don’t be afraid to experiment and develop your own style!

Conclusion

Drawing a simple tree is an accessible and rewarding skill for any aspiring artist. By breaking down the process into fundamental steps – starting with the trunk and branches, shaping the canopy, adding texture, and finally applying shading – you can create a believable and appealing tree with ease. Practice these techniques, experiment with variations, and soon you’ll be adding beautiful trees to all your drawings!

Recommended Products

No products found.