Creating A Bare Tree: Painting Step By Step

Painting a bare tree can be a challenging task, especially for beginners. However, with the right tools, techniques, and practice, it can become second nature. In this guide, we will break down the steps to help you create a beautiful and realistic bare tree painting, covering everything from choosing the right brushes and colours to mixing paints and adding highlights and shadows to bring your tree to life.

Choose the right brushes

Choosing the right brushes is an important step in painting a bare tree. The type of brush you use will depend on the effect you want to create and the level of detail you want to achieve. Here are some tips to help you choose the right brushes:

When painting the trunk of a bare tree, a flat brush can be a good option. A flat brush with a #8 tip can help you create a slender trunk with a light touch, and you can increase the pressure as you move down to make the trunk wider towards the bottom. A flat brush can also be useful for mixing paints and creating the colours you need for the tree, such as dark green for the leaves and a medium yellow with a hint of green for highlights.

For the branches, you can use a variety of brushes depending on the look you want to achieve. A round brush, a flat brush, or an angle brush can all be effective for creating branches. If you want to paint thinner branches, a tiny liner brush can be a good choice. Using the tip of an angle brush, you can create thin lines for the branches and make them look more natural by having them go in different "forked" directions.

To add smaller branches and finer details, a smaller detail brush, such as a #0 brush, can be useful. You can dip this brush in water and use black paint to add random patterns of smaller branches. Remember that these branches will mostly be covered by leaves, so you don't need to worry about too much detail.

It's important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all brush for painting trees, and you can experiment with different brushes to find the ones that work best for you. Practising on mixed media pads or watercolour pads can help you get a feel for different brushes and techniques before you start painting your bare tree.

Outline the trunk and branches

Painting the trunk and branches of a bare tree is a challenging task, but with practice, it can become second nature. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you outline the trunk and branches of a bare tree:

Choose Your Brushes and Paints

Select a round brush, a flat brush, or an angle brush for the trunk and larger branches. A tiny liner brush is ideal for thinner branches. Ensure your brushes are suitable for the type of paint you are using, such as acrylics. Prepare a palette with the required colours, including black or a very dark brown for the trunk and branches.

Outline the Trunk

Start by dipping your flat brush in water and then into the black paint. Begin at the top of the trunk with a slender, light stroke, and gradually increase the pressure as you move downward to create a wider base. This technique will give the illusion of depth and perspective.

Add the Main Branches

Continue using your flat brush to add the main branches. Start by painting a thin line that extends from the trunk, and then gradually make it thicker as you move outward. Remember that branches tend to get wider as they get closer to the trunk. Add these branches in a random, "forked" pattern, allowing them to go in different directions. Some may even overlap.

Add Smaller Branches

Switch to your detail brush (after dipping it in water and then into the black paint) to add smaller branches. Again, create thin lines that extend from the main branches, creating a natural, wobbly pattern. Remember, these smaller branches will mostly be covered by leaves, so don't worry about adding too much detail.

Final Details and Highlights

Use a very light touch with your angle brush to add tiny branches poking out at the edges of your existing branches. You can add as much or as little detail as you like, depending on whether you prefer a softer or sharper look. Finally, add highlights by using a detail brush with yellow-green paint. On the sunny side of the tree, add highlights to the outer edge of the trunk and inner parts of the branches where the sunlight touches them.

Remember to observe the structure of the tree, including the direction of the branches and any symmetry. By carefully outlining the trunk and branches, you can create a realistic and detailed bare tree in your painting.

Mix the right colours

Mixing colours is a key skill in painting. It is important to learn how to mix colours to create new ones. For a bare tree, you will need a palette and a palette knife to mix your paints.

First, you will need to mix a very dark brown for the trunk and branches. This can be achieved by mixing brilliant red and lamp black, with a little yellow if you want a flesh-like tone. This mixture will create a brown that will appear black.

Next, you will need to mix a dark green for the shaded parts of the leaves. This can be achieved by mixing phthalo blue, medium yellow, and a little red.

Then, mix a medium green for the lighter leaves by adding more yellow to the mixture.

Finally, mix a medium yellow with a hint of green to create highlights. This will be used to add highlights to the outer edge of the trunk and branches, where the sun touches them.

Remember to keep your paints wet by using a jar of water and to practice mixing colours on a separate palette or canvas before applying them to your painting.

Add details and highlights

Now that you have the basic structure of your bare tree, it's time to add the finer details and highlights to bring it to life!

Details

Use a #0 detail brush to add smaller branches in a random pattern. Remember to make these branches slightly wider as they get closer to the trunk. You can also add tiny branches poking out at the edges of your existing branches. The lighter you hold your brush, the thinner your branch will be. You can even have some branches overlap each other.

Highlights

Mix a medium yellow with a hint of green to create your highlight colour. Wet your #0 detail brush and swirl the bristles in the paint for fine line work. Add yellow highlights to the outer edge of the tree trunk on the sunny side of the tree. You can also add random yellow highlights to the inner parts of the branches where the sun touches them.

Foliage

If your tree is not completely bare, you can add some foliage. Mix a dark green colour for the shaded parts of the leaves and a medium green for the lighter leaves. Use a #6 flat brush to apply the colours in quick, dot-like strokes.

Final Touches

Stand back and observe your painting. You can add more details or highlights as you see fit. Remember that the closer the tree is to the foreground, the more visible the details on the trunk, foliage, and individual branches will be. You can also create shadows, variances in tone, and colour to give your tree depth and dimension.

Practice makes perfect

Painting a bare tree can be quite challenging, but with practice, you can master the techniques and make it look like second nature. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you improve your skills in painting bare trees:

Step 1: Understand the Structure

Before you start painting, take time to observe the structure of the tree. Look at the trunk and branches—are they relatively straight, or do they grow at angles? Is there symmetry in the branches, and do some grow towards you, appearing shorter due to perspective? Understanding the structure will make it easier to paint the leaves and create a sense of depth.

Step 2: Choose Your Tools

Select the right brushes for the job. You can use a round brush, a flat brush, or an angle brush for the branches. A tiny liner brush is perfect for thinner branches. For the trunk, a pointed round brush (size 0) is ideal. You'll also need a palette, a palette knife for mixing paints, and a jar of water to keep your brushes wet.

Step 3: Mix Your Colours

Create a very dark brown by mixing red and black paint. You can add a hint of yellow to give it a flesh-like tone. This colour will be used for the trunk and branches. For the leaves, mix a dark green using phalo blue, medium yellow, and a touch of red. You can also create a medium green for lighter leaves by adding more yellow.

Step 4: Start Painting the Tree

Begin by sketching the outline of the trunk and branches with your chosen brush and dark brown paint. Make the branches smaller as they extend from the trunk, and remember that branches typically get wider as they get closer to the trunk. Add branches in a random pattern, allowing them to grow in different directions to create a natural look.

Step 5: Add Details and Highlights

Using a smaller detail brush, add thinner branches and tiny twigs poking out at the edges. You can go back and add more detail to existing branches to create the desired level of sharpness or softness. Finally, add highlights to bring your tree to life! Mix a yellow-green colour and add highlights to the outer edge of the trunk and the inner parts of the branches where the sunlight touches them.

Practice and Experimentation

The key to perfecting your tree-painting skills is to keep practising and experimenting. Try different brushstrokes, colours, and techniques. Observe the trees around you and try to capture their unique structures and personalities in your paintings. With each attempt, you'll discover something new and improve your skills. So grab your brushes and keep painting—practice makes perfect!

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