How to Draw a Tree

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By Gardengates
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Draw a Tree

The basic form of a tree can be used in many ways in a drawing or painting. Here is how to draw the fundamental shape of a tree.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Think of how a tree grows from the ground up. A sapling can grow straight or with a little curving to the main trunk. Draw a line that reflects this upward growth.
Step 2

The tree base thickens as it grows.
Step 3

And it becomes more dense as roots spread underground.
Step 4

The tree will form main lateral branches that will create it's basic shape or framework.
Step 5

The branches start to spread, smaller lines growing out of more established lines. You can make this more elaborate as your tree matures. These branches will also create the shape of the head of the tree -- oval like an ash, triangular like a liquid amber, wide like an oak, etc.
Step 6

Once you have your tree framework drawn you can add leaves. I kept mine simple here, but you can add leaves as dots, washes of color, crosshatching, or many other ways including varying the greens with other colors to add depth and realism.