To draw a big tree, follow these step-by-step guidelines that combine basic shapes, shading, and texture to create a realistic and large tree drawing:
Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing a Big Tree
1. Sketch the Basic Shapes
- Start with a loose sketch of the tree's main structure. Draw a short, wide trunk near the bottom of your paper.
- Add the main branches extending from the trunk using light, fluid lines to outline the overall shape of the tree canopy
2. Define the Trunk and Branches
- Firm up the trunk outline with a darker pencil line to give it solidity.
- Sketch in some branches visible between the leaves, making the branches thinner as they extend outward. Avoid drawing continuous dark branches; leave gaps to represent leaves and light
3. Add Shading and Texture
- Use the side of your pencil to add shading to the trunk, making one side darker to indicate the light source (e.g., darker on the right, lighter on the left).
- Add texture marks to the bark with lighter strokes on the illuminated side.
- Gradually build midtones and darker tones in the canopy, keeping the shading consistent with the light source
4. Develop the Leaves and Canopy
- Block in midtones for the leaves, avoiding drawing each leaf individually. Instead, create clusters and patches of light and dark to give the impression of foliage.
- Use a combination of darker patches and lighter areas to simulate light filtering through the leaves.
- Vary the shapes and tones to avoid repetitive patterns and maintain a natural look
5. Final Details and Background
- Add smaller dark marks within the canopy to enhance the illusion of depth and density.
- Optionally, draw a horizon line and background trees to place your big tree in a landscape context.
- Sketch the shadow cast by the tree on the ground for realism
Additional Tips:
- Move your drawing focus around the tree to avoid overworking one area.
- Use an eraser to soften some shading and blend tones for a more natural effect.
- Practice drawing the same tree multiple times to improve and experiment with different styles
For beginners, there are also simpler tutorials that break down the process into easy steps, focusing on basic shapes and gradual detailing
. This method works well for pencil drawings but can be adapted for acrylic painting or coloring by layering light, middle, and dark tones to build depth
. By following these steps, you can create a large, realistic tree drawing with depth, texture, and natural light effects.
