How to Paint Trees ( Basic ) l Digital Painting Tutorials

How to Paint Trees ( Basic ) l Digital Painting Tutorials

If you're ready, let's start !

STEP 1

 1. Start with a basic tree-shaped splodge using a medium

green. Don't worry too much about the shape~ We will

tweak it later.

STEP 2

2. Use the dull turquoise colour to block out the basic

shadow areas of the tree. In this case the light Is corning

from the top right of the page so place the shadows

accordingly. This is a very rough guide so don't worry

about detail.

IMPORTANT: Throughout this exercise. try to use your

imagination to feel out the shape of the tree. Try to feel

which bits are full of volume and which bits have gaps that

expose the inside of the tree.

STEP 3

 3. Use the dark green to add further shadows  Try to leave

some gaps to expose the dull turquoise we laid down in

the previous step. Keep your shapes random. Don't just

paint fluffy balls :)

 STEP 4

4. Use the lime green to bring out the Ilghter areas of the

tree. Imagine a sheet of soft light falling onto the tree from

the top right of the scene. Add a small dark area on the

underside of the tree near where the trunk will be. Again,

keep it loose~ Detail comes later~

 

STEP5

 5. Add the trunk and take the branches upwards using a

kind of dotted' brush stroke. This indicates that the

branches are behind the leaves~ Use the eraser or white

paint to start clipping around the outline~ I also punched

some holes through the middle of the tree where you can

see through to the other side. Try adding a few holes near

where the branches split from the trunk Keep the holes

either side of the branches. Add some smaller ones at the

top too. Dont go nuts on this One or two will be fine.

 REMEMBER: Trees are not just big balls of leaves~ The

leaves only grow towards the end of the branches it would

be pointless to have leaves In the middle of the tree

because they wouldn't receive any light Also remember

that trees are not solid blocks of colour. There are some

gaps where you can see through to the other side.

TIP: Nature is very random. Every tfeef branchf leaff seed

is unique. Drawfng clouds is a great way to study random

shapes Look at the outline in particular. Try If for yourself

and use the shapes when drawing trees and foliage.

STEP 6

6. Use the eyedropper to grab a colour sample from the

area you wish to add detail. Begin adding a few blotches

around that area Repeat this process for the whole of the

tree. Always think about hght~ Try to keep your shapes

random as mentioned in the previous tip. Don't Ify to draw

individual leaves It only takes a small indication for the

human brain to work out the rest Keep thinking about how

the light ls behaving.

STEP 7

 7. At this point our tree should be darker at the bottom left

and lighter at the top right This gives us a basic indication

of the Ilghting slfuatlon~ However. our tree is shit looking a

little flat Start pushing and pulling out the fonn to add

depth~ Use dark colours to push info the tree and use light

colours to pull out the form.

IMPORTANT: Always look at where you re placing your

brush and think: Is this part In the light or shadow?

  STEP 8

 8. Use the dull turquoise to blotch in some areas of

shadow that may be Illuminated by bounced/ reflective

light You cafi see I have blotched in some large areas to

the middle left of the tfee~ I also added a little to the bottom

right Feel free to tweak the silhouette of your tree by

adding and trilnming around the edges  If you feel that

some areas are too dark, just go over them with a lighter

green at a low opacity (10% or so)~ LI kewise If some areas

are too light.

EXTRA TIPS:

- Keep If simple. Don't go over the top on detail~

- Keep small highlights to a minimum. Spread the hght~

- Don't forget about reflective llght~

- To paint a tree is to understand a tree~ GO look at trees :)