Trees - Watercolor/Pastel

A landscape painter needs to be competent in executing trees.  Distant trees are fairly easy to depict. They can be recognized by their silhouettes.

  

  


Simple identifiable shapes form rows of pine trees.

The challenge is when the tree is your subject or needs to be a part of your foreground.  I have spent many hours drawing and painting trees and still feel I have more to learn.  Here a some generalizations to consider:

Observe the shape of the tree.  The shape of the tree helps to identify the species.  Draw the contour of the tree true to its shape.

 

As you observe and draw the foliage think united masses of leaves, some in the foremost part, some receding to the back part of the tree.

This tree has three large masses of foliage.

Within the larger masses there are smaller ones.

Use at least three greens of different values when painting "green" foliage.

  

Soften some edges; leave some crisp.

Keep foliage light and trunk and branches strong.  The skeleton of the tree must support the weight of its foliage. 

With a pastel stick use negative painting technique, working  around your tree to bring it forward. 

 
  A sky-blue pastel is being used to secure the shape of the trees by working around them.

The tan mountain shape is worked around the pine tree in the same manner.