How to Paint Flowers & Trees

Painting is an artistic outlet anyone can enjoy. Some people are born with natural talent in this medium. However, you do not have to be innately skilled to paint lovely nature scenes. You can learn to paint beautiful flowers and realistic trees to adorn pottery, embellish furniture or paint a landscape on canvas. Because every tree and flower in nature is unique, painting them allows room for flaws and imperfections. This makes them a great choice for beginning to intermediate painters.

Things You'll Need

• Paints
• Variety of brushes
• Canvas, wood, pottery or paper

Instructions

1. Choose your favorite type of flower or tree. When you are fond of and interested in something, it is much easier to take the time necessary to create a lifelike replica of it. Find or take a picture of one of these trees or flowers, or find a live one you can look at as you paint.

2. Notice the parts of the flower or tree that are in the foreground, as well as those that seem to be in the back or somewhat hidden. Begin by painting the elements that are behind others, such as the trunk, branches or stems.

3. Use multiple colors when painting the tree trunk and branches, as well as the stem and leaves of the flower. In nature, these elements are multi-dimensional and should be in your painting, as well. Note how the sun or shadow makes areas lighter or darker in hue, and paint your flower or tree in the same manner.

4. Look for small shapes that create the tree's foliage or the flowers petals and stamen (the center inside of the petals). Find the ovals, cones, triangles and circles within them and mimic these shapes in your painting.

5. Overlap shapes and colors. Play with lighter and darker shades of the same hue to show light and shadow. Take creative license; remember, your flower or tree does not have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't get upset if your painting does not look as it did in your imagination. Just keep painting. Practicing will make you more comfortable and help you to become more skilled.

Resources

• E-Book on How to Paint Many Types of Trees
• Basic Watercolor Flower Painting Techniques
• Learn to Draw Flowers and Trees