How to Draw Silhouettes of Trees

Use a pencil and paper to draw a silhouette of a tree.

A silhouette drawing of a tree can be created using a freshly sharpened pencil and a pad of paper. You can draw a silhouette that shows a deciduous tree that has dropped its leaves in the winter, or you can draw a tree with an abundance of leaves on the branches. As you get more comfortable drawing trees, you can draw a series of individual tree silhouettes that overlap, representing a full forest setting.

Things You'll Need

• Craft knife
• Pencil
• Pad of paper

Instructions

1. Use a craft knife to sharpen a pencil to a fine, long point. The long point on the pencil will allow you to draw a broad line, while the fine point will allow you to fill in smaller spaces.

2. Draw the trunk of the tree. Use bold lines for the outline. Hold the pencil slightly to the side and use the edge of the lead to fill in the outlined area so that it is a solid shade. Vary the dimension of the trunk so that it is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top.

3. Draw branches that extend sideways and upwards from the trunk. Start at a point that is approximately three-quarters of the way up from the trunk base. Vary the thickness and direction of the branches, with the lower branches reaching out horizontally, and the higher ones extending upwards. Draw longer branches at the bottom of the tree and shorter ones at the top. Use the pencil fill in the outlined area so that it is a solid shade that matches the trunk.

4. Use a reference book to determine the leaf design for a tree of your choosing. Use the pencil to draw the the outline of the leaves on the tree branches, then fill the outlined area so that it is a solid shade. Vary the size and symmetry of the leaves for a more natural look.

References

• Art Graphica: The Artistic Anatomy of Trees
• Lessons for Hope: Guide to Tree Sketching
• How to Draw and Paint: How to Draw Trees Quickly and Easily