Crafting A Christmas Tree: Step-By-Step Painting Guide

Painting a Christmas tree is a fun and easy way to get into the festive spirit. With a few simple techniques, you can create a beautiful Christmas tree painting to hang up in your home or give as a gift. You can use a variety of brushes and paints to achieve different effects, from fan brushes and round brushes to acrylic paints and craft paints. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, there are plenty of step-by-step tutorials available to guide you through the process of painting a Christmas tree, including how to create a snowy forest scene or add decorations to your tree. So grab your paints and brushes, and let's get started on creating some festive artwork!

Choosing the right brushes

First, consider the size of the brush. For painting a Christmas tree, you will likely need a variety of brush sizes to capture the different elements of the tree, such as the trunk, branches, and needles. Smaller brushes with fine tips, such as round brushes, are ideal for adding intricate details and creating thin lines. These can be used for painting small branches, snow dots, and decorations like lights and garlands. On the other hand, larger flat brushes or wash brushes are perfect for covering bigger areas, such as the background, sky, or large sections of the tree.

Next, think about the shape of the brush. Flat brushes, for example, are versatile and can be used for both broad strokes and thinner lines, depending on how you hold and apply pressure to the brush. Fan brushes are excellent for creating unique textures and effects, making them perfect for painting the foliage of the tree. Round brushes, as mentioned, are great for details but can also hold a good amount of paint, making them versatile for various techniques. Shader brushes, with their ability to use both the tip and flat side, offer flexibility in creating thin trunks or thicker branches.

Additionally, consider the type of bristles on the brush. Synthetic bristles are often more affordable and suitable for all types of paint. They are easy to clean and tend to last longer. Natural bristles, on the other hand, are typically softer and better suited for oil-based paints as they absorb the paint well. Natural bristles may be preferred for creating smooth blends and soft textures.

Lastly, keep in mind the specific technique you plan to use. If you are creating a string or thread tree, as described in one of the tutorials, you may not need a wide assortment of brushes. A simple palette knife, popsicle stick, or skewer can be used to create the tree's branches and spread out the paint. For a snowy tree, a filbert brush is ideal for stippling or dry brushing to create transparent snowflakes and a hazy, snowy atmosphere.

Preparing the background

Choose your colours

First, decide on the colours you want to use for your background. For a snowy scene, you can use shades of blue, white, and titanium white for the snow. You can also add a hint of gold to the centre of your background to create a warm, festive feel. If you want to create a forest scene, you can use shades of blue, white, and black.

Load your brush

Next, load your paintbrush with the chosen colours. If you are using a flat wash brush, be sure to load it with a combination of colours, such as ultramarine blue and white, to create a light blue shade.

Create vertical strokes

Starting from the top of your canvas, make vertical strokes with your brush, ending about two-thirds of the way down. This will create the background sky for your Christmas tree.

Darken the sides

To create a focal point for your tree, you want the centre of your canvas to remain light-coloured. So, when you add more paint to your brush, create vertical strokes with a heavier bias towards the left and right sides of the canvas. This will make the edges of your canvas darker in colour.

Blend the colours

Using the same brush, add a bit more white paint to the centre of your canvas and begin blending the dark blue with the white. Keep your brush strokes light and angled to create a smooth blend.

Create a snowy effect

If you want to create a snowy background, use a filbert brush and titanium white paint. Be sure to barely load the brush with paint to keep your strokes transparent. Tap the brush on its flat side along the border of the sky and the snow-covered ground. This will create a hazy, snow-filled background.

Remember to be creative and adapt these steps to your own style and the vision you have for your Christmas tree painting!

Painting the tree trunk

Choose the Right Brush

For a more defined and thicker tree trunk, opt for a shader brush. This brush type offers better control and allows you to create a more pronounced trunk. The flat side of the shader brush will help you achieve the desired width for the trunk.

Prepare Your Paint

Prepare a brown paint shade for the trunk. You can mix different shades of brown to achieve the desired colour. Ensure the paint is well-mixed and has the right consistency before you begin painting.

Create the Tree's Foundation

Using your shader brush, start by painting a vertical line from the top of the canvas to the bottom, representing the tree's trunk. This line will guide the placement and height of your Christmas tree. Adjust the thickness of the trunk to your preference by using lighter or firmer pressure on the brush.

Add Dimension

After painting the initial vertical line, you can add dimension to the trunk by creating subtle curves or lines that mimic the texture of bark. Use the tip of your shader brush or a smaller detail brush to create these intricate details.

Allow it to Dry

Before proceeding to the next steps of painting the Christmas tree, ensure that the tree trunk is completely dry. This will prevent any accidental smudging or mixing of colours when you start adding the leaves or decorations.

By following these steps, you will be able to paint a beautiful and realistic tree trunk for your Christmas tree painting. Remember to take your time and adjust the thickness and details to your liking.

Adding decorations

• Before adding any decorations, ensure that your painted tree is completely dry. This is important because adding decorations on wet paint can cause smudging or mixing of colours, ruining your hard work.
• Start with the star on top of the tree. Pour a small amount of yellow paint and use a palette knife to draw out points, creating a star shape. You can also use other colours like gold or any shade of your choice to make the star stand out.
• Add a garland to your tree by dipping a string of beads, such as Mardi Gras beads, into paint. Choose a colour that complements your tree, such as old gold, and lay the painted beads down the body of the tree in a zigzag pattern.
• Create ornaments by dipping a pencil or a thin tool, such as a popsicle stick or skewer, into paint. Carefully dollop or dot the paint onto the tree to form circles or any desired ornament shape. You can use traditional Christmas colours like red, green, and gold, or any colours that you prefer.
• If you want to add lights to your tree, use a small brush to paint coloured dots. Load your palette with the colours you plan to use, such as primary yellow, red, and blue, or any other colours you associate with Christmas.
• For a three-dimensional effect, consider hanging mini baubles or decorations from the tree branches using push pins. This works well if your painting is on a canvas or in a picture frame that can accommodate small decorations.

Remember, you can get creative and add any decorations that remind you of the holiday season. Feel free to experiment with different colours, techniques, and decorations to make your painted Christmas tree unique and festive!

Final touches

Now that you've painted your Christmas tree, you can add some final touches to make it your own. Here are some ideas:

Add decorations

• Paint ornaments, lights, a garland, or snow onto your tree. You can use a pencil or a small paintbrush to dip into your chosen colour and carefully dot your chosen decorations onto the tree.
• If you want to add baubles, try using push pins to hang mini baubles from the tree.
• You could also add tinsel by dipping a string of beads into paint and laying them in a zigzag fashion down the body of the tree.

Add a star

• Create a star for the top of the tree by pouring a small puddle of yellow paint and drawing it out to points with a palette knife.
• You can also add some gold to the star by using the same technique.

Create a snowy scene

• If you want to create a snowy scene, use a filbert brush with titanium white paint and tap your brush on its flat side along the border of the sky and snow area. This will create a hazy, snow-laden effect.
• Add thicker layers of white to the edges of the branches and create "glob areas" of white in the centre parts of the tree.
• Paint larger branches of snow that point downwards in opposite directions, depending on which side of the midline you are on.

Remember, you can get creative and add any final touches that remind you of home or the holiday season!

Frequently asked questions