Q&A for How to Draw a Detailed Tree

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

How do I make a tree look realistic?

Kelly Medford
Professional Artist
Kelly Medford is an American painter based in Rome, Italy. She studied classical painting, drawing and printmaking both in the U.S. and in Italy. She works primarily en plein air on the streets of Rome, and also travels for private international collectors on commission. She founded Sketching Rome Tours in 2012 where she teaches sketchbook journaling to visitors of Rome. Kelly is a graduate of the Florence Academy of Art.

Kelly Medford

Professional Artist

Expert Answer

Observe a real tree and base your drawing on it. Pay attention to where the light and shadows are so you can accurately recreate them.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 38
Question

How do I draw a tree with leaves?

Kelly Medford
Professional Artist
Kelly Medford is an American painter based in Rome, Italy. She studied classical painting, drawing and printmaking both in the U.S. and in Italy. She works primarily en plein air on the streets of Rome, and also travels for private international collectors on commission. She founded Sketching Rome Tours in 2012 where she teaches sketchbook journaling to visitors of Rome. Kelly is a graduate of the Florence Academy of Art.

Kelly Medford

Professional Artist

Expert Answer

Avoid drawing all of the individual leaves. Instead, draw the foliage in large masses and only add smaller leaf details around the outer edge.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 40
Question

How do I shade a drawing of a tree?

Community Answer

Use a coloured pencil to lightly shade the area of shade. The shade will usually appear where the sun/light can not reach.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 70 Helpful 141
Question

How do I make the leaves look more natural?

Community Answer

Have some of them be different shades of the green or brown or whatever color you've chosen, and make them not all the same shape. You could also add some falling leaves, if the season is right.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 54 Helpful 106
Question

How big should the branches be compared to the tree?

Community Answer

They should be shorter than the tree. It depends on the size of the tree for the specific size.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 25 Helpful 56
Question

Which color do I use to draw a detailed tree?

Community Answer

Well, that depends on the look you prefer the tree to have. If you want the tree to look young, try to give the trunk a light brown; for an older tree, color it deep brown. For the leaves, if it is in spring, a light green; in summer, dark green, in autumn, give it a golden yellow or light orange. Also take note of the shade.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 49 Helpful 103
Question

What about the roots of the tree?

Community Answer

If you want roots on the tree draw them in the same kind of style the rest of the tree is. Make them curved if you want. There is something about drawing roots on this website.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 70 Helpful 121
Question

What can I do if I cannot draw the branches of a tree?

Community Answer

You may print out a picture from the Internet and try to trace the branches.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 58 Helpful 91
Question

How do I make a drawing of a tree stand out?

Community Answer

Use brighter colours. Also make the background blur and create a 3D sensation.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 49 Helpful 93
Question

How do I draw leaves falling?

Community Answer

Drop leaves and take a photo of them falling. Then print it and copy it in your drawing. Use natural colors and shapes.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 56 Helpful 74
Question

Is there a slower, more detailed method?

Community Answer

Check YouTube for tutorials. It's a lot easier to draw something like this when you can watch someone doing it and you can pause the video whenever needed. If you're not very skilled at drawing, look for some more basic videos first so you can get the technique down.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 17 Helpful 36
Question

Do I need to sign my art work?

Community Answer

If it's just a doodle, you don't really need to sign it. If it's a finished piece (especially one you want to post online), signing it is recommended to help identify your work and to prevent art theft.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 17 Helpful 37
Question

What happens when it doesn't look like the one that was drawn here?

Community Answer

Drawing well takes practice and keen observational skills. Don't get discouraged, just keep working on it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 37 Helpful 41
Question

How big should the flowers be?

Community Answer

It depends on the size of the tree. Use the scale 1:4.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 21 Helpful 20
Question

Do I have to get the trunk the perfect size, or can I leave it straight?

Community Answer

You should add some details and characteristics to it since tree trunks aren't completely straight, but it doesn't have to be perfect!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 6
Question

Would it be better to use colored pencils or acrylic paint to add color to the tree?

Community Answer

Whichever you prefer! If you'd like your tree to look shaded in certain spots, I would use colored pencils.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 24 Helpful 23
Question

Is it okay for the branches to be long but stubby when drawing a detailed tree?

Community Answer

Sure; it's your tree, so draw it however you'd like it to be. The instructions here are merely a guideline.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 7
Question

How do I draw it accurately?

Community Answer

You have to have a steady hand and patience. The more you practice, the easier and more detailed your drawings will become.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 5
Question

How do I draw the leaves for a tree?

Community Answer

Consult Draw Leaves .

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 4
Question

How can I colour it nicely?

Idabelle

Community Answer

Shade it in darker where the sunlight is direct. Use multiple shades of green to add texture and detail. When coloring in the trunk, use many shades of brown for the bark.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 0